A crowded Friday night bar, a declined invitation, and a second chance—that’s where Max Willett’s pivot began. What follows is a candid look at how he traded comfort for commission-only sales, learned to solve real problems for clients, and built a 620-person team generating nearly $300M in volume while staying grounded in values and service.
We unpack the beats of that transformation, from the moment curiosity outgrew ego to the daily disciplines that keep momentum high and culture healthy. Max shares how athletics shaped his grit, how a shoulder injury forced a hard identity reset, and why separating who you are from what you do protects you when seasons change. We get specific on the mechanics of scale: KPIs, SOPs, leadership pipelines, and a creed that turns high standards into everyday habits. You’ll hear how conflict becomes conflict resolution, how to bypass resistance with better communication, and why small acts—remembering names, taking notes, showing up curious—fuel retention, referrals, and long-term residual income.
Then we zoom out to the consulting blueprint Max now shares with founders beyond insurance: build leaders who build leaders, “fire” yourself from bottlenecks, and let sales remain the engine while values steer the wheel. Expect straight talk on delaying gratification, investing in mentors, and choosing bigger rooms that stretch belief and humble the ego. If you’re ready to level up your circle, grow with a giver’s heart, and turn performance into impact, this conversation is your playbook.
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