In this episode of The Unlimited Podcast, our Lessons with Legends series continues as we welcome Brian's former boss, Gerald Sheff, Co-Founder of Gluskin Sheff + Associates Inc., once one of Canada's pre-eminent wealth management firms. This is a special episode highlighting Gerry's "straight-talking" ways as he recounts:

• His path to becoming an architect: "I didn't know anything about architecture. I thought, well, it's something I don't know anything about. So I didn't know, I didn't want to be one. So I thought, well, maybe I'll become one."

• His early working years: "...they thought I knew something. And I didn't tell them I didn't."
• His first thoughts on hearing about his eventual employer Cadillac Fairview: "I thought anybody who would call themselves 'Cadillac' is probably a Chevrolet."
• The story of meeting Ira Gluksin and the formative idea of Gluskin Sheff: "We decided to be a very boutique firm and to differentiate ourselves from all the vanilla money management operations that existed at the time.", and
• What he's learned to do in uncertain times: "Doing nothing is often the best thing to do". (A familiar message to those who follow Ginsler Wealth's thinking as well).

...And many other insights and words of wisdom. You don't want to miss this one!

Gerry Sheff graduated from the School of Architecture at McGill University in 1964, and received his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1971. Following this, he joined Cadillac Developments in Toronto, which later become Cadillac Fairview, playing a number of key roles with that firm. In 1984, he left and with his partner Ira Gluskin, founded Gluskin Sheff, which went on to become one of the most successful investment firms in Canada.

Timestamps

0:00: Disclaimer & Intro

4:20: Gerry's Architecture Degree

15:17: Beginnings of Gerry & Ira

24:16: Why take a different approach with Gluskin Sheff?

32:52 Gerry & Ira's changing investment philosophy

40:18 The Award Winning Treehouse

46:52 Gerry's Philanthropic Philosophy

48:53 Upgrading Your Thinking

52:05 Gerry's advice on investing in troubling times

55:04 If Gerry could do anything, what would it be?

56:39 Outro