Nicholas Capman sits down with Liz Troll, an executive-level quality management consultant with over 40 years of global experience in pharmaceutical compliance and quality assurance, on the latest episode of The Passionate Workforce Podcast. Liz discusses feedback as both a powerful guiding tool and a potential anchor that can hinder growth if mismanaged. Leveraging her extensive background in GCP, GLP, GMP, and ISO compliance—including roles as VP of Quality at Endpoint Clinical and Group VP at Neovance—Liz provides strategic insights into managing effective feedback to drive performance and professional development.
Key highlights from their conversation include:
Feedback as a Guiding Light: Effective feedback bridges the gap between performance and clearly defined expectations. Liz emphasizes the critical importance of aligning expectations using SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely).
Feedback as an Anchor: Conversely, feedback becomes restrictive when it fosters complacency or resistance to change. Leaders must continually reassess whether meeting baseline expectations is sufficient for achieving growth and organizational objectives.
Structured Frameworks for Feedback: Liz advocates using structured career progression matrices, clearly connecting competencies with job descriptions to outline pathways for professional development. This approach empowers individuals to actively manage their career trajectory.
Navigating Challenging Conversations: Liz underscores courage, openness, and honesty in feedback dialogues, especially when expectations evolve or career paths shift. Clear, compassionate conversations can lead to better alignment or informed transitions.
Accountability and Empowerment: While leaders clarify performance gaps, accountability for closing those gaps ultimately resides with the individual receiving feedback. Coaching and mentoring provide targeted support to enhance competencies or explore career aspirations.
Mentorship vs. Coaching: Liz clarifies coaching as tactical skills training and mentorship as strategic, reflective guidance, helping individuals navigate career decisions, aspirations, and opportunities.
Liz’s practical guidance, grounded in decades of global pharmaceutical leadership—including extensive audit experience, regulatory inspection readiness, and quality systems implementation—equips leaders and employees to master feedback processes that improve performance, foster meaningful careers, and enhance organizational health.
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