WEST Wisdom Blog

Let’s get uncomfortable for a second. Have you ever noticed something about a perfect stranger that made you think a certain way about them? What about when you look in the mirror? There’s so much to say about the things we focus on when we first meet a new person or see ourselves each day. If you stop and think about those thoughts, you’ll notice what’s called your unconscious bias. These are things you think, but don’t necessarily know that often change your perception. Not all unconscious biases are prejudicial, but none of them help you to truly listen and know another person.

Topics: Communication, Coaching, Culture, Discussion, Career Path, Career Development, Empowerment, Inclusion, Diversity, #WESTevent, Change Management, #WESTorg, Corporate Culture, D&I, Equity, Conversations

Personality tests can be powerful tools for personal and professional development. Here are seven quick tips to help you go deep with the insights that you get out of your next self-assessment.

Topics: Life, Coaching, Tools, Career Path, Leading Ourselves, Emotional Intelligence, Insight, Career Development, Assessment, Self-Reflection, #WESTevent, Change Management, Be Fearless, Be Brave, Competence, Webinar, Personality

Feedback shouldn’t feel like being called to the principal’s office

Regardless of whether it’s positive or negative, both the giver and receiver of feedback find the exchange awkward at best. No matter how stellar your year was, many of us approach our reviews somewhere on the going-to-the-the-principal’s-office spectrum ranging from Ferris Bueller to Bart Simpson. 

Topics: Leadership, Communication, Coaching, Management, Developing Your Skills, Insight, Engage, Feedback, Career Development, #WESTevent, Be Fearless, Be Brave

Coaching circles adapt the principles and methods of individual coaching and apply them to small, intentional groups. They set the stage for peer to peer coaching facilitated by trained and qualified professional coaches offering women a supportive and motivating environment to connect through meaningful conversations. Participants develop a set of peer coaching skills in addition to benefiting from professional coaching, and are often preferred by people who learn well in small groups. Join us to establish new relationships, enhance leadership skills and talents, and develop in an area that is a current challenge. We will do three 30 minute sessions. Some of the table topics will be preset and some will be based on ideas submitted when people register to attend. The preset topics will include the following. 

Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Communication, Community, Cambridge, Coaching, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Relationships, Discussion, Change, Connect, Developing Your Skills, Talent, Confidence, Personal Branding, Strengths, Values, Challenges, Career Development

Come one, come all! WEST invites you to join us for our 2018 Summer Series! Every Wednesday night in June, WEST offers the opportunity to network with other like-minded individuals to build your career toolbox by implementing the skills that instill confidence in your ability to advance your own opportunity for success. Our Career Possibilities and Career Management events provide opportunities for personalized feedback including an individual assessment to self-reflect and build upon your strengths, motivations and individual interests. The series is $75 for members. Not a member yet? For $175, you can get the series and an annual WEST membership. Can’t make it to the whole series? You can register for just one or two of the events. Isn't it time to invest in yourself so that you can maximize your professional self? We hope you will join us for a month of empowerment and mentorship!

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Community, Panel, Cambridge, Coaching, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Discussion, Lessons Learned, Connect, Values, Support, Career Development, Career Possibilities, Speed Networking

It is almost March, are you keeping up with your New Year's resolutions? Are you stressed at work and don't have enough free time?  Perhaps you are on track with your goals but are hoping to find better ways to advance your career?  You may just want to break out of your own circle and expand your personal and professional network.  Have you considered working with a professional coach to accelerate your growth?

Topics: Events, STEM, Women, Career, Communication, Community, Work Life Balance, Cambridge, Coaching, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Relationships, Change, Influence, Insight, Confidence, Personal Branding, Strengths, Values, Support, Conflict Resolution

We all have to be leaders – leaders of teams, leaders of projects, leaders of families, leaders of ourselves. Leadership skills can and should be cultivated throughout your career, and well before you reach traditional roles of authority. Leadership is hard, even rocket science can seem easier at times. Leadership requires strong self-awareness and personal competencies that can be developed though continuous improvement and practice.

Topics: Events, Leadership, Team, Mentoring, Coaching