A Conversation with Medical Affairs Leader Tom Caravela

OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions, hosted by Linda Traylor, VP of Medical Excellence at Acceleration Point, is inspired by The Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss. Each episode follows a consistent set of reflective questions designed to uncover the mindsets, habits, and leadership lessons of exceptional Medical Affairs leaders.

In this episode, Linda sits down with Tom Caravela (Managing Partner of The Carolan Group, a search firm dedicated to the Medical Affairs and MSL industry) to talk about what separates good Medical Affairs leaders from truly exceptional ones. Tom built his career the accidental way: a pharmaceutical sales rep who stumbled into recruiting and built a firm that has placed MSLs and Medical Affairs leaders across the industry for more than two decades. Much of what he credits for that path, and for weathering a business collapse along the way, is what psychologists call a growth mindset: the belief that ability develops through effort rather than being a fixed trait. If you're building a career in Medical Affairs, or trying to understand what separates the leaders who elevate everyone around them, this conversation is one to return to.

Key Takeaways:

• Growth mindset beats overthinking. Tom traces his biggest career turns to letting go of hesitation: "I think that the best results for me have always come from not overthinking."
• Exceptional leaders have a presence you can feel before they speak. Tom describes it as energy, not a communication skill: "It's about the energy that comes off of these elite leaders and how they're able to command attention and influence others in such a way that they make others the best version of themselves."
• Success is a private scorecard, not a public one. Tom stopped measuring himself by placements and revenue and started asking a simpler question every day: "Am I keeping the promises that I'm making to myself every day?"
• The MSL role has moved from execution to insight. Tom no longer sees strong MSL performance as just showing up and answering questions: "It's about MSLs making impact. It's about MSLs being strategic and focusing on impact."
• Adaptability, not scientific acumen, is the differentiator now. Tom argues the professionals embracing new tools and a growth mindset are the ones keeping pace with where Medical Affairs is headed, describing the old "just execute" mentality as no longer enough.

Books and Resources Mentioned

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss, recommended by Tom Caravela: a negotiation book Tom considers essential reading for business and life generally, not just for negotiating deals.

Atomic Habits by James Clear, recommended by Tom Caravela: one of the best books written on building the small habits that compound into long-term success.

Job Search Mastery: How to Win Your Dream Job by Tom Caravela, recommended by Tom Caravela: his own book, written to help job seekers land the role they're after.

Diary of a CEO, hosted by Steven Bartlett, recommended by Tom Caravela: a wide-ranging interview podcast covering everything from business to personal growth.

Huberman Lab, hosted by Andrew Huberman, recommended by Tom Caravela and Linda Traylor: a science-based podcast on habits and health that both Tom and Linda return to regularly.

About Our Guest

Tom Caravela is Managing Partner of The Carolan Group, a search firm dedicated to the Medical Affairs and MSL industry. He is also the host of the MSL Talk podcast and the author of Job Search Mastery: How to Win Your Dream Job.

Connect with Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomcaravela-executiverecruiter

FAQ

Who is Tom Caravela?
Tom Caravela is Managing Partner of The Carolan Group, a search firm dedicated to the Medical Affairs and MSL industry. He is also the host of the MSL Talk podcast and the author of Job Search Mastery: How to Win Your Dream Job.

What separates exceptional Medical Affairs leaders from good ones, according to Tom Caravela?
Tom Caravela says it comes down to presence more than polish. Exceptional leaders carry an energy and confidence that raises the people around them, rather than relying on communication skills or presentation style alone.

How has the MSL role changed, according to Tom Caravela?
Tom Caravela says the MSL role has shifted from execution to strategic impact. Instead of simply having conversations with KOLs and answering questions, the strongest MSLs today bring back insights that create an actionable impact for their organization.

What is a growth mindset, and why does Tom Caravela say it matters?
A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, rather than being fixed traits. Tom Caravela credits a growth mindset with most of his own career breakthroughs, including his decision to move into MSL recruiting with no prior experience in the space.

What books or podcasts does Tom Caravela recommend?
Tom Caravela recommends Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss and Atomic Habits by James Clear, along with the Diary of a CEO and Huberman Lab podcasts.

About OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions Podcast

OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions Podcast delivers engaging conversations with Medical Affairs and Field Medical leaders on the power of mentorship and coaching. Hosted by Linda Traylor, each podcast uncovers practical strategies, personal stories, and lessons to inspire and prepare the next generation of medical leaders.

OnPoint is available on several podcast platforms, including the Acceleration Point YouTube channel. Listen on:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTXapuvAJzWZdDrMJFj-3FDz42Z3uJYAu
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/onpoint-the-mentor-sessions/id1884316384
• Spotify: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/8cquOM3Mg1b

Questions about this topic? We're happy to help. https://www.accelerationpoint.com/contact/