In our last post on this topic, we encouraged you to retrain your brain to focus on positive feedback and positive outcomes. How’s it going? It’s not an easy switch but it’s an important one. Everyone gets feedback and faces disappointment, and the art of being an impactful MSL is to move past it and turn it into an opportunity for success.
How can you use the rejection to motivate you to try again? What have you learned by processing your emotions? What positive feedback have you received? Review that positive feedback. Review it again! Post it in a visible place. Embed those positive thoughts in your brain and get back on the horse.
Based on the steps you have taken and your learnings, what will you do differently moving forward? Review the feedback you’ve received with fresh eyes. What development opportunities have you identified?
· If your rejection was related to a KOL meeting, approach the KOL in person at a conference meeting versus sending an email request. If email is your choice moving forward, how can you restructure the email? Can you shorten it and focus simply on getting the meeting? Consider offering times for the meeting to occur (versus open ended “when are you available?”). See our earlier posts for optimizing emails.
· If you were turned down for a promotion, use your personal development plan to address any gaps you’ve identified or optimize areas relevant to the job you’re seeking. If you don’t have a personal development plan, this is the time to put one together. Be honest with yourself about areas for growth and avoid focusing on areas that you enjoy the most.
· You may feel rejected by your KOL but in the mind of the KOL it may mean nothing. A second or third or fourth contact will often revive the relationship as long as you don’t hold a grudge. It may not be that way for them at all.
Rejection is inevitable but how you respond to it speaks to your professionalism and resilience. Even if your “shots on goal” are not resulting in the percentage of meetings or the promotion you hoped for, maintain a positive outlook. Reflecting on past victories for affirmation will be helpful. They say rejection builds character. Find that path forward after taking a deep breath, stepping back, and reframing the situation. You’ve got this!
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