I'm wondering about the advice for him to NOT take the opportunity. Now, you know the field, and the people way better than I do. But I know that in a lot of areas turning down a chance like that is a bad thing. Pretty soon, you don't get the chances, because people don't think you are confident in yourself. I've found that most of the time, when people make an offer like that, they know enough about you, and have done the research, to believe that you can do the job. In a way, turning them down is to question their judgment. And I am SURE that they'll see right through the "I'm too busy" excuse.
Just stuff to think about!
And maybe to talk to him about? Might keep the convo going?
