In my last post, I talked about breaking out of autopilot in your MSL career. So, how do we do it?
Let me share a story…
I was at a hospital in New York for a board of directors and physician leaders conference last year. Before the meeting, every attendee—including the physicians—had to hand in their phones. No distractions, no computers. I was skeptical, but to my surprise, everyone did it (even me!).
The result? Full engagement. The conversation was sharper, the energy was higher, and people actually connected. It threw me out of my own “same-same” and helped me completely focus in a new way. The difference was profound.
Now, you don’t have to surrender your phone in meetings, but what if you made one small shift in how you show up?
I recently coached an MSL preparing to host a panel discussion for 200 salespeople. Instead of sitting on stage, I suggested she step into the crowd, mix her questions with theirs, and engage directly. Inspired by legendary talk show host Phil Donahue, she decided to take a risk.
And the result? They loved it.
The lesson? Sometimes, a small change in approach can make all the difference.
✅ Step away from the usual routine.
✅ Find new ways to engage.
✅ Shake things up and watch what happens.
Your audience—whether it’s KOLs, colleagues, or stakeholders—notices when you’re fully present. And they’ll remember it.
What’s one small shift you can make this week to be more engaged?