In her role as Synergy by SRG’s Director of Scientific Services, Carol Jennings has established herself as a revered, highly-respected and hugely successful member of our team – and as an inspirational Woman in Leadership.
In this blog, Carol tells us about her personal career journey and what has influenced her route so far, and offers her thoughts, insights and advice on what makes a great leader.
Carol, tell us a bit about your career journey to where you are today
Well, I originally wanted to become a Clinical Psychologist. Unfortunately, I didn’t put the work into my A levels, and I bombed them. That brought me down to earth with a resounding thud.
Whilst retaking my A levels, I got a temporary job with Merck Sharpe and Dohme, and I was very lucky at a young age to be involved with several research programmes. This job really taught me several things – firstly that I really enjoyed being in a lab; secondly that I am someone who learns best while ‘doing’; and thirdly that you can’t coast along and get the results you want. This experience inspired me to do a part time degree whilst working and I spent the best part of 20 happy years as a research scientist.
I thought I’d always be a scientist, but life sometimes throws you a curveball and in 2008 when GSK decided to cut their Neuroscience programme, I found myself thinking about my future career and this is when I went into operations. I struggled at first being away from the bench but continued to learn so many new things and I’m lucky that I’ve worked in a number of positions in which I’ve been able to develop as a manager and leader.
Where did your passion for science and recruitment stem from?
I’m not sure where it all started really, if I am being honest! I was always more interested in the sciences than anything else at school and always liked learning new things, so that had an influence for sure.
I think I’m just fascinated with how things work – my partner calls me the data collector! The thing about science is that the field is so vast, and we don’t know everything there is to know, so staying engaged, driven and excited is easy as there is always more to learn.
What part of your role as Director of Scientific Services – Synergy by SRG excites and drives you the most?
Probably the people side more than anything; working with great people and seeing people develop and grow.
I’ve been lucky to have had some truly inspirational people in my teams over the years, some of whom have overcome huge adversity in their lives. As I’ve trodden (and still treading) a career path in science, it’s amazing to see others going on that same journey and thriving whilst doing so.
Who or what has influenced you most during your career journey so far?
When I left GSK because they had taken the decision to refocus on disease areas away from Neuroscience I was devastated. I don’t think anyone in the team I worked with really felt like it was a job, everyone just wanted to make a difference and so when it ended it was like the world had fallen in around me.
I couldn’t see a future after that experience, but the one thing about working in science is that you learn very quickly that change happens whether you like it or not and that you might as well embrace it.
In my case it took me a while, but my first job in operations as a lab manager made me realise – amongst many other things – that you could hugely impact science even if you weren’t at the bench.
I’m also incredibly lucky to have worked for and with some fantastic people over the years, people that I’ve enjoyed spending time with, respected and learned a lot from.
What drives and motivates you in your leadership role?
Making an impact really motivates me, whether it’s working with new customers, evolving services for existing customers or seeing people develop. Really, anything in which you can see something or someone growing and becoming better is motivating and inspiring for me.
How do you balance the demands of your professional and personal life?
Not being afraid of an early morning or a late evening is a big help!
I have horses and dogs who love routine, so that keeps me on time and to task. Luckily my partner is based at home too and shares all the ‘housework’, so we just ensure we coordinate diaries.
I’ve always found that finding balance in work or life helps to find a balance in the other too.
And I put a big emphasis on ensuring I take breaks when needed, to breathe and find some perspective when things get hectic. A particularly challenging meeting at work is soon put into perspective by some fresh air and exercise; conversely the same fresh air and exercise sets you up for the next piece of work!
What do you think is key to inspiring and influencing teams and colleagues around you?
Being passionate and firmly believing in what you do rubs off on the team and inspires others to do and be the same.
Always being supportive to the people around you is vital; as is wanting others to succeed in all that they do. If it’s important to them, it should be important to you.
We’ve recently introduced more of a coaching style into our management tools, and this has really resonated as coaching can really influence your team and their ways of working.
What advice would you give to fellow Women in Leadership and females who aspire be one?
Ensure you involve and listen to your team; believe in yourself and your beliefs, always; and be prepared to know that you won’t always get it right and own your mistakes.
Honesty and integrity count for a lot in all aspects of life, but as a leader it is vital. If you expect others to act with honesty and integrity, you must lead by example.
I’d also say take your time, make the move when you’re ready and don’t feel pressured.
What do you believe are the most important qualities for a successful leader?
Being yourself and not being afraid to not always have the answer.
One very successful leader I know once admitted to me that they weren’t sure they could do the job. Some people may think this a weakness but to me it just showed this person was just human. Their questioning of their own ability was actually due to their strong desire to make a positive impact – basically because they cared deeply about making a difference.
I think this is crucial; it is so important that you care about what you do and your team.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #AccelerateAction. What does this mean to you?
To me this is all about making positive progress forwards in the journey to finding true equality, and we all have a part to play in it.
Finally, can you share a memorable experience or achievement from your career that has significantly impacted your approach to leadership?
I once had an opportunity toa apply for a senior global role and was actively encouraged to apply. At that time, I’d just been through a restructure, and I had a very good Manager who I really liked so decided not to apply out of loyalty to them. I was then told that ‘loyalty gets you nowhere’.
I often think about that because I am absolutely sure that had I got that role at that time I wouldn’t have been very good at it. So going with my gut at that time was for me the right decision.
I believe that if you can’t believe in yourself, you can’t expect others to believe in you as a leader. And believing in myself and my own decisions proved extremely valuable.
