14 Jul Strategic Career Pivots
Tony Meale, Senior Manager, Executive Communications at Discover Financial Services, demonstrates how strategic career pivots can transform your professional trajectory through calculated risks and purposeful decisions. In this comprehensive episode, we’ll explore Tony’s journey from entry-level sports journalist to successful ghostwriter and corporate executive, plus the powerful leadership lessons from his book “The Chosen Ones.”
From Sports Journalism to Corporate Success: A Strategic Career Evolution
Tony’s career journey exemplifies how professionals can successfully navigate industry changes through strategic pivots. Starting as a sports journalist in 2008, Tony recognized early warning signs in the print journalism industry and made calculated moves that ultimately led to his current role leading executive communications at a Fortune 250 company.
The Power of Recognizing Industry Shifts
Tony’s first major pivot came when he realized that creativity and drive were viewed as liabilities in his current journalism role. When his editor asked him to stop writing successful columns because they might trigger layoffs, he understood he needed to find an industry where hard work was valued, not feared.
This insight led to his decision to write “The Chosen Ones,” a book about the high school basketball team that defeated LeBron James in the 2002 state championship. The book became a launching pad for his ghostwriting career and later inspired his leadership keynote speaking.
How to Navigate Career Uncertainty: Essential Questions to Ask Yourself
When facing career uncertainty, Tony recommends evaluating three critical areas before making any major changes:
Identify the Root Cause of Your Dissatisfaction
- Are you unhappy with compensation or title progression?
- Do you have conflicts with leadership or colleagues?
- Are you feeling stagnant or unchallenged in your current role?
- Do you prefer working for larger or smaller organizations?
Assess Your Personal Life Stage
Your professional and personal journeys are interconnected. Consider:
- Your current life responsibilities (spouse, children, mortgage)
- Financial obligations and upcoming major expenses
- The impact on work-life balance and relationships
- Your risk tolerance at this stage of life
Evaluate Market Conditions and Skill Alignment
- Research industry trends and economic factors
- Honestly assess whether you have the required skills
- Determine if there’s market demand for your desired role
- Identify gaps and your willingness to develop new competencies
Three Transformative Leadership Lessons from Coach Bill Brewer
Tony’s book “The Chosen Ones” reveals powerful leadership principles from Coach Bill Brewer, who led Roger Bacon High School to victory over LeBron James’s team. These lessons apply directly to modern business leadership.
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Communicate Clear Expectations From Day One
Effective leaders establish ground rules immediately. Coach Brewer provided his players with a comprehensive one-page document outlining expectations for:
- Punctuality for all team functions
- Classroom conduct and academic performance
- Personal behavior standards
- Practice and game day protocols
The document concluded with: “Following the rules takes discipline. Either yours or ours. Get in or get out.”
Business Application: Create clear expectations for your team covering collaboration, communication, work quality, and professional conduct. Don’t assume people know what you want—explicitly communicate your standards.
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Treat People Differently, But Discipline Everyone Equally
While you cannot treat all team members identically due to different motivations, life stages, and personalities, you must apply disciplinary standards consistently.
Coach Brewer demonstrated this when three starting players arrived late to a crucial game. Despite the high stakes and college scouts in attendance, he benched all three players for the entire first quarter, sending a clear message about accountability.
Business Application: Adapt your management style to individual needs while maintaining consistent enforcement of company policies and standards. This builds credibility and trust across your entire team.
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Provide Honest, Constructive Feedback
When players asked Coach Brewer why they weren’t getting more playing time, he gave direct, honest answers about specific skill deficiencies. This approach, while sometimes uncomfortable, provided clear direction for improvement.
Business Application: Use the “sandwich approach” for difficult conversations:
- Start with genuine positive feedback
- Address the specific area needing improvement
- Close with encouragement and support for development
Overcoming the Fear of Honest Feedback
Many leaders struggle with providing direct feedback. Tony suggests:
- Ask if the person is aware of the issue
- Explore underlying concerns or insecurities
- Provide specific examples and clear expectations
- Offer support and resources for improvement
- Set timeline expectations for change
The Most Important Leadership Mindset Shift
According to Tony, the fundamental principle for emerging leaders is understanding that your team doesn’t serve you; you serve them. Your role is to help team members grow, develop, and achieve their goals through:
- Creating opportunities for team members to shine
- Giving credit where it’s due
- Advocating for your team’s interests
- Providing resources and support for professional development
Key Takeaways for Your Career and Leadership Journey
Tony’s experience offers several actionable insights for professionals at any career stage:
- Stay alert to industry warning signs and be prepared to pivot strategically
- Leverage transferable skills when moving between industries or roles
- Consider your entire life context when making major career decisions
- Communicate expectations clearly as a leader to avoid confusion and frustration
- Maintain consistent standards while adapting your approach to individual needs
- Provide honest feedback to help team members grow and improve
- Focus on serving your team rather than expecting them to serve you
Conclusion
Tony’s journey from entry-level sports journalist to Fortune 250 executive demonstrates that strategic career pivots, combined with strong leadership principles, can transform your professional trajectory. By staying alert to industry changes, communicating clearly, and serving your team’s development, you can navigate uncertainty and build lasting success.
Whether you’re considering a career pivot or looking to strengthen your leadership skills, Tony’s insights provide a practical framework for making informed decisions and building effective teams. Remember that great leaders aren’t born; they’re developed through intentional practice and commitment to serving others.
About Tony Meale
Tony Meale is a Chicago-based author, ghostwriter, speaker and executive communications leader at a Fortune 250 company with over a decade of experience helping leaders craft compelling content and build high-performing teams. He’s the author of “The Chosen Ones: The Team That Beat LeBron,” which chronicles the only Ohio high school team to defeat LeBron James and was featured in an ESPN documentary he narrated in 2022. After transitioning from sports journalism to successful ghostwriting for Fortune 500 executives and CEOs, with clients securing bylines in The Athletic, Forbes, and The Washington Post, Tony now leads corporate communications while sharing leadership insights through keynote speaking on career pivots, team building, and servant leadership principles.