All MSLs face rejection, and part of the art of being an impactful MSL is to move past it and turn it into an opportunity for success.

·        Consider what you can learn from this experience. Perhaps your request was not clear in the email to your KOL? Maybe you were too casual in your discussions during the interview?

·        Compare these learnings to your past successes. What did you do differently? How could your approach be adjusted? For example, look back on emails that resulted in a KOL response and compare / contrast with the email that resulted in your recent “rejection.” This historical approach can be a solid one and can help you put some perspective in line with how this relationship has gone in the past.

·        Can you get feedback on what stemmed the decision? If you didn’t get a job or a promotion, reaching out for feedback speaks volumes to the interviewer about your desire to grow. Recognize that their feedback may be limited due to corporate policy, but taking that step is important. Talking it out with a friend, trusted colleague, or a coach can often surface what might really be going on.

One of the difficult things for us to remember is that rejection is often not personal.

·        When making the decision about who to hire there are many factors a manager considers, such as if they can provide the support this individual needs to be successful or if this individual has experience that will diversify the team.

·        If a KOL declines your meeting invitation or cancels your meeting, it’s more likely due to a busy schedule or unexpected patient issues than to a personal affront.

·        Talking to one of your trusted MSL colleagues or your manager about the situation and gaining their perspective will provide important food for thought. Listen carefully for the positive affirmations they provide (write them down for future reference!).

·        Consider your own assessment. What did you like, learn, or appreciate about this relationship prior to this incident? Give value and appreciate what you have done thus far. Don’t let one misstep or misperception weigh you down. Remember: there are other KOLs who just can’t wait for you to come knock on their door!

According to neuropsychologist Dr. Rick Hanson, “The mind is like Velcro for negative experiences and Teflon for positive ones.” Isn’t that the truth? Do you focus on the positives when getting feedback or the negative? We need to retrain our brains, which can only be accomplished with practice. Get started today!