What Type Of Person Thrives In Sports Media, According To A Creative Social Media Manager At ESPN
Mitchell, a Creative Manager at ESPN, identifies "collaborators" who are willing to "take the time to talk to a PA and hear them out" as thriving in the industry. This "inclusive leadership mindset," a natural part of their being rather than a forced behavior, is key to success and distinguishes enduring creative companies from fleeting ones.
Collaboration, Teamwork, Inclusive Leadership, Communication, Openness to Ideas
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Mitchell Clements
Creative Manager, Social Media
ESPN
University of California, Santa Barbara (2013)
UCLA Anderson School of Management (2026)
Political Science, American Studies
Arts, Entertainment & Media, Sports & Fitness
Creative
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Collaboration is key: Success in the industry depends heavily on teamwork and a willingness to build upon others' ideas.
2. Inclusive leadership matters: Leaders who actively listen to and value input from everyone, regardless of their position, are more likely to succeed.
3. Developing a growth mindset: Continuously developing leadership skills and fostering an inclusive environment is crucial for long-term success in creative industries.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in this industry?
They're all collaborators; they collaborate. They don't shun any idea just because it's not their own. These are people who are willing to work as a team and build something greater than the individual thoughts they may have initially come up with.
Ultimately, the people I've seen succeed and personally admire within ESPN and Disney, in particular, are those willing to take the time to talk to a PA and hear them out on an idea. This idea may one day shape the way SportsCenter delivers a story.
That kind of mindset, that inclusive leadership mindset, really separates the great creative companies from those that may just come and go. I try to take that into my own leadership style. I think I'm still developing it.
The ones I see doing it the most, it's almost like breathing to them; they're not even forcing themselves to have that mindset. It's just a part of who they are. That's what I admire the most. As far as I can tell, that has definitely been indicative of their success at the company.