Human on the Inside with Mundipharma Australia’s Alisha McLennan
Maxme: We’re big believers in the power of human skills. But don’t just take our word for it - the evidence for excellence powered by human (‘soft’) skills is everywhere! In this engaging, ever-enlightening series, we speak with industry leaders, innovators and game-changers to learn a little about their personal career journeys, and how human-led strategies, philosophies and cultures are proving a force for good in their working worlds …
Welcome Alisha, and thanks for stepping into the #SuccessIsHuman Spotlight!
You’re currently a Medical Science Liaison for Mundipharma - a global healthcare company dedicated to bringing innovative treatments to patients in the areas of Oncology, Haematology & Pain Management as well as other severe and debilitating disease areas.
In 1 sentence (ok, we’ll give you 3), what does your role entail?
Alisha McLennan: It’s a specialised role within a couple of disease states. I serve as a scientific source & expert, communicating on advances in treatment & helping to ensure medicines are used effectively. I do this by building and maintaining great relationships with leading health care professionals.
M: You’ve been with Mundipharma for almost 5 years, but your career in pharmaceuticals is much deeper. In the decade prior to joining Mundipharma, you worked in various roles including Pharmaceutical Representative, Medical Product Specialist and Medical Devices Representative for leaders in the field such as Servier Laboratories and Abbott. Prior to all this, you kicked off your career with a 3 year stint in financial services as a Mergers & Acquisitions Executive for Canterbury Partners!
How does all this work speak to your personal purpose and what drives you as an individual?
AML: There are some transitions in there! I’ve reflected and refined what I feel is important in a company & a role - with some evolution according to different life stages thrown in. Two steps forward (sometimes a step back!) all toward a greater positive impact on the patient at the end of the line, & toward more involved & challenging functions in more boutique areas of treatment, culminating in my current Haematology focus.
M: Tell us a little about your personal education pathway/s - what led you to where you are now? How closely do your formal qualifications match your current career?
AML: Uni certainly ingrained ways of thinking that have served me well in each role. I chose Commerce / Science because I couldn’t decide between them, without a specific career in mind - that is part of the ongoing reflection. My first full time role flowed on from the Commerce degree, & was at a boutique firm working on mergers & acquisitions. Everyone kept telling me it was an opportunity people would cut off their right arm for, but it just didn’t light my fire. So, off I trotted to start again in pharmaceuticals (with a brief stint in devices) where I could combined my interest in commerce with my love of science.
M: If you could share one piece of career advice to your 21 year old self it would be ...
AML: You do you & always try your best - it may not get you what you think you want but it will guide you to what you need, & that’s better.
M: Maximising the potential of individuals, communities and businesses through the power of human skills is the reason Maxme exists. Can you tell us a little about the role and / or value of human skills in your workplace or industry right now?
AML: Human skill is everything! In my industry human skill is what delivers the best outcomes & initiatives for patients.
Great relationships mean I can chat with talented colleagues or healthcare professionals to keep things moving forward - especially in those times I don’t have all the answers.
M: Self Awareness sets the critical foundation for all Maxme learning experiences. With that said … what’s your strongest trait / personal super power?
AML: A strong results focus, that relentless drive that doesn’t slow until the job is done & done ‘right’.
M: And on the flip side, what’s one human / ‘soft’ skill you’ve had to really work on improving over the course of your career?
AML: Recognising the value in pausing to celebrate achievements, individually and in a team. In addition, building my skills to critically reflect on components of the process that have been successful and identifying areas that may need refining.
M: If you could share one piece of career advice with recent Uni graduates or candidates keen to work with an organisation like Mundipharma, what would it be?
AML: A degree (& beyond) in life sciences may get you far but real life experience will get you further.
M: You’ve been granted approval to add one Uni graduate to your team, but have 100 applicants, all with outstanding academic results. How do you find your perfect candidate - what are you looking for?
AML: It’s all in the conversation, that ability to hold engagement - where you’ve been chatting for an hour but time has flown & it’s felt effortless, like you want to gift your time to that person. Someone who shows that motivation/ initiative combo.
M: In the words of John Dewey, “education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.” What’s next on your #learning agenda?
AML: A lot! I’m on a steep learning curve stepping into a new role, learning about my potential, about a familiar disease state from a new perspective & another disease state which is totally new to me. I have my eye on a couple of short courses about mindfulness & resilience at work, & am partway through a clinical appraisal course.
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