by D.X. » Fri May 26, 2017 2:41 am
Hi Susan,
Solely based on the tiny amount of Information, and emphasis on tiny, regarding your work-style, I'm familiar with it.
I've worked with many from what I call "back-end" highly scientific functions across Technical Production/Operations, QC, CMC, Drug Supply, Technical Regulatory Affairs, and commonly what I see is alot of what i call within function, subject matter Expertise, and work styles consistent with what I will over-archingly call, poor communication skills as perceived by others.
Don't get offended. There are many things manifest in that, can be you introvertism, can be that you're such an expert that you can't explain your data well to others without your Expertise, or maybe you get annoyed if someone is not at your Level of understanding. How that manifests itself may be reflected in you express yourself. Maybe you think you're explaining it well but others aren't getting it. Or maybe you have a sense of fustration in your tone of voice perhaps do to an annoyance you have to explain something technical. I'm saying you, but I'm being General here. And based on my experiences looking in from the "front end" (I'm on the commericial size).
Then that gets to the Feedback which is marker of people's perception of how you work with others.
You mentioned personality, I admit when I started working with Folks on the Technical side, I felt many personalities were, well, dry. And to the extent that it is not true, once I took time to understand the "People" in the functions as individuals..furtherest from the truth. Warm People and funny but their outward work-style was something different. You might say us commericial guys are shallow and bombosterous right? Outward perception. You'll find the opposite if you dig deeper wiht the individual.
So to your Problem, you have a perception issue and Feedback pointing to perhaps you DO Need to look internally.
Dave mentioned in the short to mid term, expect no changes with that perception even if you start to modify behavior today.
Perhaps changing companies is a step for you is it is an opportunity to "re-invent" yourself with a new bunch of colleagues. If you're applying for Jobs, emphasize your leadership competencies, what exactly makes you a leader? Emphasize times when you've seen an issue and brought a Team together. Emphasize times when you were Project Managing and you brought other functions on board or identified other resources etc. things like that.
Internally, try to take Baby steps to get more cross-functional or even within function exposure. If not on a Technical Production Management Team, try to get on one. Look at manufacturing functions accross Drug Supply, is there something here you can get some time on? Talk to your Commercial Folks, maybe the have some in market challenges where you can propose a few Projects, i.e stability studies to improve shelf-life Claims in emerging markets etc.
You work in a big pharma, how's your internal Networking going? Also you should have Access to development resources that you can align on with your Supervisor. You want to be a Group lead, is there a Company Management program you can take? Most companies will have offer ainternal or external course for developing line-management.
Also, have you ever done a formal MTBI? (Meyer-Brigg)? That will tell you a bit about yourself for example if your tend to be more introvert.
If you are an introvert, don't let bother you. Being an introvert is not a sign of being anti-social. quite opposite. Introverts are social, you just find your energy in small Groups of People. And success as an introvert vs. extrovert interms of climbing the ladder is about 50 50. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, they're blowing hot air.
Ok best of luck and yes i'm on the Commercial side but...my MTBI....i'm a ISTJ....the non-informed would call me as far left/anti-social scale as one can be per MTBI. The only other Person in my MTBI Group of 40 who got that was a QC chemist. If you take MTBI, remember it doesn't predict anything, it helps you understand a bit of who you are so maybe you can have a discussion with yourself.
Best,
DX
Editing to also give some real-world advice.
1. Dont' be too self-critical externally. Acknowledge mistakes but don't acknowledge knowledge gaps or unknowns as falts watch how you're communicating. Others will take too self-critisim as a sign of weakness and hold it against you, politically. Do be arrogant but don't be self-defeatist. Have conviction when you express an unknown. Not fault.
2. Becareful when asking Feedback. Do it when you know it will work for you not against you, and becareful who you ask it of. Only with People who intimately know your work. When I read you have formal Feedback from 40 People..aye aye aye aye. Why? Seriously? Who said to have this? That Person is not your friend but a Person working against you, or just has no clue i.e a bumbling management baffon. OK, so in your next Company or Team or whatever...watch it here. Get Feedback yes but careful when formal. Most companies who capture formal Feedback Limit it to a Group, say max 8 People and you chooose who those People are.