It was October 1999 and for my final interview with Boston Scientific, I was told that I needed to fly into West Palm Beach and work with a local sales rep named Pete Fox for the day. I would learn about the job, meet with customers and I knew Pete would be assessing me as well. I was working in sales for Frito-Lay and this job seemed to be an exciting opportunity to get into healthcare with a company known for innovation in medical devices.
It was an early flight and I had dressed in the dark. When I landed, I was wearing my suit and tie and realized that my belt was missing. I panicked. Perhaps a little uptight having just left the Marine Corps, the thought of being out of uniform horrified me.
As I stepped off the plane, I desperately searched for a clothing store in the airport. Not many are open at 7 in the morning. Like a condemned inmate heading to the gallows, I slowly walked through the airport searching for Pete who I had met but knew more through his stellar reputation at the University of Florida. When I sheepishly told him my dilemma and asked him if we could go find a clothing store, he busted out laughing. He put his arm around me and said we would survive without the belt today. I can still hear his laughter.
It’s hard to describe the feeling I had of gratitude. He could have made fun of me but that act of kindness still means so much to me today, 22 years later. More importantly, it taught me an important lesson. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Fortunately, I got the job and Pete became a good friend.
