Mentoring in a jet with the former CEO of a Fortune 100

I once got mentored on a private jet by the former CEO of a Fortune 100.

Here's how it went down:

I met him at a conference in Paris. We're both dyslexic, and his talk hit me hard.

Afterward, I walked up: "I loved your talk. I'm dyslexic too. Everything you said resonated."

He gave me his phone number and his Chief of Staff's email.

I emailed his team. "He's too busy."

I emailed again. "He's too busy."

Fair. At that point, I had 200 LinkedIn followers. I was nobody to his team.

Months later, I saw he was speaking at another conference. I bought a ticket.

I emailed again: "I'm here. Can we grab 15 minutes?"

"Sorry, he's too busy."

So I texted him directly.

He replied: "Yes. Let's meet at 11am at the hotel."

I showed up early. I waited. No one came.

Then my phone rang.

"Sorry, I was with the minister. Just finished. Now I need to fly back to Paris."

My heart sank. Then: "Where are you headed?" "Paris." "Want to do the mentoring session on the flight with me?"

I didn't hesitate. "Yes."

Hours later I ended up on a private jet getting mentored by the former CEO of a Fortune 100 company, on a free flight home 😆

Persistence isn't annoying when it comes from genuine curiosity. The worst they say is no.

And sometimes they say yes in the most unexpected (and epic) ways.