This week, I’m reminded of the incredible gift that just 5 minutes can be.

Years ago, after graduating from Thunderbird, I was determined to break into management consulting.

There was just one problem.

The major consulting firms didn’t recruit from Thunderbird. They focused on larger MBA programs, leaving me without the traditional path into consulting.

So I created my own.

Every morning from 6:00-8:00 a.m., I sat with a stack of Thunderbird alumni résumés and directories, calling graduates who worked in management consulting. I left voicemail after voicemail, delivering the same one-minute pitch.

No one called back.

Day after day, it became increasingly discouraging.

One morning, after another unsuccessful session, I was walking out the door to blow off some steam at the gym when I heard my phone ringing as I was closing the door.

I sprinted back inside to answer it.

(Yes… this was before cell phones.)

“Hi, this  is Kathy Gramling from Andersen Consulting. You left me a message. I’ve got five minutes. What’ve you got?”

It was all I needed.

I gave Kathy my one-minute pitch.

She listened. She believed in me.

Although she didn’t have an opening, she forwarded my résumé to someone who did.

A few days later, I got a call from Pricewaterhouse.

That phone call led to an interview, a flight to Chicago for final interviews, and ultimately an offer that launched my management consulting career.

One person.

Five minutes.

A life-changing opportunity.

Kathy may not remember that conversation.

I will never forget it.

As leaders, mentors, colleagues, and friends, we often underestimate the impact of a few intentional minutes.

Sometimes people don’t need an hour.

They just need someone willing to listen long enough to open a door.

So here’s my Tuesday reflection:

Who do you have 5 minutes for today?

You never know when 5 minutes might change the course of someone’s career…or their life.