by Tracy Johnson, RPh, CPC | Senior Medical Affairs Recruiter
When you think about taking your career to the next level, what comes to mind?
A promotion? A bigger territory? A leadership position? Perhaps an opportunity to work with a new therapeutic area or join a company preparing for an exciting launch?
Those are certainly meaningful milestones. But after years of conversations with Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs), I've come to believe that some of the most valuable professional growth has very little to do with a new title.
In fact, some of the most successful and fulfilled MSLs I've encountered are those who consistently challenge themselves to grow in ways that may never appear on their resumes.
They become better listeners. More strategic thinkers. Stronger collaborators. More confident communicators. And perhaps most importantly, they become more aware of the impact they have on the people around them.
Professional growth and personal growth are not separate journeys. Often, one creates opportunities for the other.
So, whether you're an experienced MSL who loves being in the field or someone with ambitions of eventually moving into leadership, here are several ways to level up without waiting for your next promotion.
1. Become a Student of People, Not Just Science
MSLs are naturally lifelong learners. Keeping up with clinical data, emerging treatments, competitive developments, and changes in the therapeutic landscape is an essential part of the job.
But how much time do you spend studying people? How much time do you reflect on yourself?
The ability to understand different personalities, communication styles, and motivations can be just as valuable as your scientific expertise.
Consider two healthcare professionals. One enjoys discussing detailed clinical trial methodology, while another prefers to explore how emerging evidence might influence everyday clinical practice.
Both may appreciate the same scientific information, but the most effective conversations could look completely different.
The best MSLs recognize these differences and adapt without compromising scientific integrity.
Ways to level up:
- Pay attention to how different individuals prefer to communicate.
- Practice asking thoughtful, open-ended questions before offering information.
- Become comfortable with silence. Some of the most interesting insights emerge when we give others time to think.
- Learn to recognize when someone wants more information versus when they simply want to be heard.
These skills can also transform relationships outside work. Understanding people more deeply makes us better colleagues, friends, mentors, and leaders. And MSLs.
2. Move From Being Knowledgeable to Being Strategic
There is a difference between knowing a tremendous amount of information and knowing how to use that knowledge to create meaningful value.
Many MSLs are exceptionally strong scientifically. What distinguishes those who consistently elevate their impact is their ability to connect information, recognize patterns, and anticipate what might matter next.
Think about your territory.
Are you simply maintaining relationships and responding to scientific requests, or are you identifying opportunities that others may not yet recognize?
Perhaps you notice an emerging educational need among community physicians. Maybe several KOLs are independently raising similar scientific questions. Or you recognize an opportunity to connect stakeholders who could benefit from understanding different perspectives.
These observations can help Medical Affairs better understand the external scientific landscape. And, it makes you a more critical thinker.
Becoming more strategic starts with asking yourself a different set of questions.
What am I learning from these interactions?
Why does it matter?
Who could benefit from understanding this information?
What might become important six months from now?
Strategic thinking isn't reserved for directors and vice presidents. It is a skill that every MSL can develop, regardless of seniority.
3. Strengthen Your Internal Brand Without Becoming Self-Promotional
When I speak with MSLs about career opportunities, I often ask what their colleagues would say makes them particularly valuable.
Interestingly, some of the most talented individuals struggle to answer.
They know they're hardworking. They know they have strong relationships. But they haven't necessarily considered what makes their contributions distinctive.
Your professional brand is not about being the loudest voice in a meeting or making sure everyone knows about your accomplishments.
It's about the reputation you build through consistency, credibility, and the way you approach challenges.
Are you the person who remains calm under pressure?
The colleague who can simplify complicated scientific concepts?
The teammate who willingly shares resources and helps others succeed?
Or perhaps you're known for thinking creatively and recognizing opportunities others miss.
Try this exercise: Ask three trusted colleagues what they consider your greatest professional strength.
You may be surprised by their answers.
Once you recognize your unique strengths, look for opportunities to develop and use them more intentionally.
And remember, visibility matters. You don't need to promote yourself aggressively, but you should be comfortable communicating the value of your contributions.
4. Develop Leadership Skills Before You Have a Leadership Title
One misconception I occasionally encounter is that individuals must move into management to demonstrate leadership.
That's simply not true.
Leadership can be demonstrated every day through the choices we make and how we influence those around us.
Consider the experienced MSL who takes time to mentor a new colleague. Or the team member who volunteers to help solve a challenging issue rather than waiting for someone else to address it.
Neither needs direct reports to make a meaningful difference.
If you aspire to formal leadership, developing these behaviors now will make you a stronger candidate when the opportunity arises.
But even if you never want to manage people, leadership skills can increase your effectiveness and personal satisfaction.
Look for opportunities to mentor, collaborate across functions, facilitate discussions, or support initiatives outside your immediate responsibilities.
Most importantly, learn how to influence without relying on authority.
I like to ask people wanting to move into leadership what they have done on their own to prepare for that. Are you reading books? Listening to podcasts? Taking classes on your own?
Sometimes, the silence to that question speaks volumes.
Remember, leaders show initiative and create opportunities.
They do not just wait for them.
5. Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
Some of the most valuable career development opportunities don't initially look particularly appealing.
Maybe you're invited to present to a large internal audience, but public speaking makes you nervous.
Perhaps you're offered an opportunity to participate in a cross-functional project, but you have limited experience in that area.
Or maybe you're asked to mentor someone whose personality or working style is very different from yours.
It's tempting to stay within the areas where we already feel confident.
But confidence frequently develops after we've taken on an unfamiliar challenge, not before.
One suggestion I often make is to identify one professional skill each year that feels slightly outside your comfort zone.
It might be executive-level communication, project leadership, data interpretation, conflict resolution, or facilitating more sophisticated scientific discussions.
Then create opportunities to practice it.
You don't have to become an expert overnight. The willingness to be a beginner again can be one of the most powerful indicators of future growth.
6. Invest in Relationships Beyond Your Immediate Circle
MSLs understand the importance of external scientific relationships. But internal relationships deserve similar attention.
Some of the most successful field medical professionals I've met have an exceptional ability to build meaningful connections across their organizations.
They understand how their work intersects with Clinical Development, Medical Information, Medical Strategy, Patient Advocacy, and other functions.
More importantly, they are genuinely curious about what those colleagues do and the challenges they face.
This broader perspective can strengthen collaboration, improve communication, and expose you to opportunities you might never have considered.
Consider scheduling occasional conversations with colleagues outside your function.
Not because you're looking for a new job, but because you're interested in learning.
Ask what their biggest challenges are, how they measure success, and where they see opportunities for stronger collaboration.
Relationships built through genuine curiosity can become some of your most valuable professional assets.
7. Learn to Measure Impact Differently
MSLs work in an environment where activities, performance indicators, and measurable objectives are important.
But not every meaningful contribution can be fully captured in a dashboard.
Think about the physician who develops a clearer understanding of emerging science after a balanced educational exchange.
The colleague who gains confidence because you took time to mentor them.
Or the internal team that makes a better-informed decision because you shared a thoughtful, compliant scientific insight from the field.
Those moments matter.
I encourage MSLs to occasionally reflect on questions that go beyond traditional performance metrics.
When you start recognizing these contributions, professional success becomes much more meaningful.
8. Be Intentional About What Success Means to You
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, define what you're actually working to achieve.
Not everyone wants to become a director. Not everyone wants to leave the field. Not everyone measures fulfillment through compensation, organizational influence, or advancement.
Some MSLs genuinely love the science, the autonomy, and the opportunity to build relationships with healthcare professionals.
Others find tremendous satisfaction in mentoring, creating educational resources, contributing to strategy, or supporting the development of new treatments.
There is no single definition of success.
One of the most valuable things you can do for yourself is periodically reassess what makes you feel challenged, energized, and fulfilled.
Your priorities at 30 may look very different from those at 45 or 55. That's not a lack of direction. It's a natural part of personal and professional evolution.
The important thing is to recognize when your definition of success has changed and make intentional decisions accordingly.
The Next Level May Be Closer Than You Think
As a recruiter specializing in Medical Affairs, I have the privilege of speaking with professionals at many different stages of their careers.
And one thing continues to stand out to me:
The people who make the greatest impact aren't always the ones with the most impressive titles. They're often the ones who remain curious, invest in others, embrace challenges, and consistently look for ways to become better versions of themselves.
A promotion can certainly be exciting. But, so can a new company, a larger role, or an opportunity to help bring an innovative treatment to patients.
You don't need to wait for any of those things to begin leveling up.
Sometimes the next level is becoming a better listener.
Sometimes it's finding your voice.
Sometimes it's recognizing that your greatest value lies in helping others succeed.
And, sometimes, it is simply having the courage to redefine what success means to you.
Your next career move may change your title. Your next personal breakthrough could change your entire trajectory.