Leadership transitions, particularly in highly specialized industries like pharmaceuticals, can present unique challenges. When our client, a global pharmaceutical company, hired a new R&D global regulatory affairs head, they reached out to TLD Group for assimilation and team development support. The new leader chose Janet Polach, a seasoned TLD Group leadership executive coach, to assist her in assimilating to the organization’s culture and creating a high performing team.
Over the course of six months, Janet worked with the leader to develop her leadership capabilities and expand her engagement with her broader leadership team. The goal was to build cohesion, enhance effectiveness, and develop a strong and highly productive team.
Creating a Clear Leadership Vision and Building Team Alignment
One of the initial steps in Janet’s coaching engagement was conducting a narrative 360-degree assessment with the new leader's peers, team, and manager. The summary of feedback coupled with the leader’s Hogan Leadership Assessment results formed the basis of the themes for this engagement. These tools helped identify areas where the new head could further develop her leadership skills and acclimate to the company’s culture.
As the coaching expanded to the broader leadership team, Janet utilized other tools including Insights Discovery and the Five Dimensions of a Team Assessment to better understand the team’s composition, collective strengths, and areas for improvement. The insights gained from these assessments were used to guide conversations around team dynamics and expectations, ultimately fostering greater alignment between the leader’s style and the team’s operational needs.
Through 1:1 coaching sessions and group workshops, the team began to appreciate their leader's priorities, and the leader, in turn, gained deeper insights into her team’s capabilities. By focusing on individual strengths and team collaboration, the leader was able to identify which team members had growth potential and which were best suited for their current roles.
Measurable Results: From a Group of Leaders to a High-Performing Team
Janet’s coaching approach yielded tangible results. The team, which had previously struggled with missed deadlines and inconsistent follow-up, transformed into a highly disciplined unit that held each other accountable for their work. Janet and the team tracked progress through workshop response surveys, TLD Group’s coaching check-ins, and qualitative feedback from team members.
These improvements didn’t just benefit the team’s internal dynamics—they had a positive impact on the organization’s broader goals. With increased accountability and a stronger sense of shared responsibility, the team consistently met its commitments, helping the organization move forward with confidence in a critical area of regulatory affairs.
Feedback and Reflections: Positive Impact on the Organization
Though specific testimonials and feedback are blinded for confidentiality, Janet’s work with the pharmaceutical company’s regulatory team received strong positive feedback. The team leader appreciated the structured approach to leadership development and the focus on building trust and accountability. These improvements laid the groundwork for continued success as the team worked to support the company’s regulatory compliance and innovation goals.
Growth through Collaboration: Janet Polach’s Experience with TLD Group
For Janet, working with TLD Group has provided not only opportunities to support high-level leadership development but also a space for her own growth as a coach. “TLD Group provides access to coaches and facilitators who willingly offer their perspectives on approaches,” Janet explains. This collaborative environment has helped her refine her methodologies and stay at the forefront of leadership development strategies.
Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Guiding Leaders
Janet’s work highlights the transformative power of coaching, particularly when it comes to building strong, cohesive leadership teams in highly specialized industries like pharmaceuticals. By leveraging powerful assessment tools and fostering open communication, Janet helped her client’s team evolve from a group of individuals into a high-performing, accountable unit that consistently delivers results. As leadership demands continue to evolve, Janet’s commitment to guiding leaders through these transitions will no doubt leave a lasting impact on organizations.
Interested in learning more about Janet Polach’s leadership work? Reach out to discuss her work with TLD Group and how she supports leaders in building high-performing teams.