Knowing When To Pivot

Long before building one of the fastest-growing organizations in the financial services industry, GFI founder and CEO Eric Olson faced a defining moment that tested his resilience: having to give up his football career. As captain of the San Jose State football team, he had big dreams on the field, but injuries forced him to make a tough call.

“It’s always great to have a dream and go 100% on it, like I did in football,” Olson shares on the Corporate Competitor Podcast. “But, God forbid, it doesn’t work out. I got hurt. I blew out my shoulder a couple of times against Ohio State and the Florida Gators. I was like, ‘You know what? Let me pivot.’”

Instead of dwelling on disappointment, Olson chose to view his past experiences as preparation for the next chapter. He leaned into the discipline, teamwork and mental toughness he had built on the field and applied them to his career in business.

“What if your entire life, everything you’ve done, prepared you for this next moment?” Olson asked. “That’s what I convinced myself. All my sports background, as an athlete and coach, all the discipline, the focus, and the teamwork have prepared me now for this business.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• The power of self-reflection: Olson dedicates time each day to thinking through challenges, asking tough questions, and seeking the best solutions.

• The value of hard work: His journey from athlete to self-made millionaire underscores the importance of discipline, resilience and being coachable.

• Building a cohesive team: Olson fosters a culture of camaraderie at GFI, treating team meetings like locker room huddles—energized, open and collaborative.

Looking back, Olson credits his ability to pivot as a key driver of his success. “I was a little bit physically tough back in the day, but I’m more mentally tough now than physically tough,” he says. “A lot of that mental toughness came from those double days and those 5 a.m. lifting sessions. All of that prepared me for the next moment and the next venture in my business.”

His leadership philosophy is simple but powerful: “We don’t panic, we pivot.”

For leaders, this is a valuable lesson—embracing change and adjusting your approach when necessary can turn obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.