Keep Climbing: Designing Career Maps That Drive People & Performance with Matt Thomas

Pathfinders Podcast: Navigating Your Career Map with a Personal Board of Advisors

In this episode of Pathfinders, host Pete Schramm sits down with Matt Thomas, a talent development leader whose career is grounded in purposeful growth, people-first leadership, and a knack for building thriving teams. From his early days organizing sports leagues and working construction, Matt developed a deep respect for hard work and teamwork. These two values would ultimately shape his career philosophy. His winding educational journey, from Cincinnati State to Xavier University, helped him zero in on a passion for leadership and management, ultimately swapping out a marketing focus for a more human-centered business path. His motto, “Don’t assume what you want—go experience it,” frames his entire professional evolution.

Matt’s story emphasizes the power of career mapping—a deliberate process he first implemented back in 2008. Rather than chasing job titles or climbing for the sake of prestige, Matt coaches individuals to pursue alignment with their skills, values, and passions. He walked listeners through the nuts and bolts of crafting a career map: reflecting on strengths, identifying the type of company and team culture that energizes you, understanding your ideal scope of responsibility, and defining success beyond a title. That clarity, he says, empowers professionals to act with purpose and gives organizations a reliable way to grow talent from within.

He also stressed the importance of surrounding yourself with a Personal Board of Advisors (PBA)—mentors, peers, and leaders who challenge your thinking, expand your perspective, and help you stay accountable. For Matt, this included a tough-love uncle, a first boss who exemplified empathetic leadership, and trusted colleagues who helped him sense-check big decisions. These guides didn’t give him answers; they asked better questions. When paired with a strong career map, this mentorship ecosystem helps professionals navigate change and growth with more intention, and far less guesswork.

For companies, the business case is clear: structured development boosts retention, improves succession planning, and reduces costly turnover. Matt framed this as a strategic decision, not just a cultural one. When employees understand where they’re going and how to get there, organizations benefit from deeper engagement and better performance. “It’s cheaper to build talent than to buy it,” he emphasized. Whether you’re early in your career or reevaluating your next move, Matt’s practical wisdom, backed by years of lived experience, is a masterclass in sustainable professional growth.