As Warren Buffet says “You can improve your value by 50 percent just by learning communication skills and public speaking." And yet he was terrified of it.
Speaking in public whether we are speaking to a small meeting or a packed conference is daunting. Your presence and delivery are key to your success but you do not have to be a ‘performer’ to deliver a strong, authentic message. These skills can be learned and must be practiced, and practiced and practiced.
Topics: Events, Leadership, Communication, Cambridge, Success, Presentation
You never listen! How many times have you found yourself angrily whispering this statement under your breath to your partner? Or to your kids? If you are like me, there are multiple times a month when it just feels like you have been talking to a brick wall. And it is not just at home. There are even some days at work when I have the same sort of despairing feeling. Like when I have made valuable contributions to the discussion at meetings, only to have one of my colleagues repeat my words and then receive all the accolades for the brilliant suggestions. Or other days when I am trying to engage with my team to solicit input on an important change in project direction, only to see blank stares reflected back at me, accompanied by the deafening sound of silence. Ugh. Frustrating.
Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Communication, Cambridge, Success
We know that gender inequality at senior levels is a real and important limitation for women in most careers, including STEM. But, have we fully acknowledged the self-limitations we women impose on our own careers? As women in science and technology (and probably most fields), we are often our own worst enemies. Rather than hitting our heads on the glass ceiling, we find ourselves sticking to a floor, where we have poured the molasses.
Topics: Events, Leadership, Gender Balance, Women, Cambridge, Success, Inspire
Climbing the career ladder is challenging in any business, but climbing the career ladder when you work in a male dominated field like technology is especially challenging. Finding a balance between “acting the part” vs “being your authentic self” can feel like walking a tight rope –not only is it time consuming, it can be exhausting too. So, what is the best way to navigate the system? where should you focus your efforts? how should you present yourself? and with whom should you spend time networking?
Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Tech, Community, Success, Network, Inspire
WEST membership offers a chance to meet colleagues and form friendships that will enrich your professional and personal life. Members get discounts to all WEST programs and events, free attendance at networking only events, and one free workshop during their birth month.
They get access to members only events, such as book club and rockstar breakfasts. WEST currently has three members only breakfasts lined up including 5/4 with Meredith Fisher and Jo Viney, 7/25 with Emily Reichert and Chesley Chen, and 9/13 with Deb Vernon and Sandra Glucksmann.
Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Tech, Science, Community, Cambridge
In today’s world, technology has made it increasingly easy to expand and do business internationally. With video advancements such as Google Hangouts, Facetime, Skype and Zoom, you can virtually spin up an in person meeting with almost anyone anywhere in the world. Businesses are embracing these technologies to expand their customer base and build teams globally to accelerate their success.
Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Tech, Science, Communication, Success, Global, Culture
It was an energized and exciting evening at the November 14th WEST event, Pathways to Leadership Success: Working Toward Gender Balance Senior Panel Discussion. Biogen, Xconomy, and WEST hosted the event, which provided an exceptional opportunity for networking with around 150 members of the STEM community attending. The panel discussion featured the following leaders in academia and industry: Sangeeta Bhatia, Professor, MIT; Bruce Booth, Partner, Atlas Venture; and Sophie Vandebroek, CTO, Xerox. Jo Viney of Biogen/WEST and Bob Buderi of Xconomy moderated the event. The panel provided their perspectives and insights on actions that can be taken in the workplace to improve gender balance and increase awareness of gender bias.
Topics: Events, Leadership, Gender Balance, Tech, Science, Success, Network
If you are looking to donate time or money this Giving Tuesday, please think of WEST.
On November 14, 2016, we will be taking this issue head-on in a discussion co-sponsored by WEST, Xconomy and Biogen. (More information and registration information can be found here.)
Topics: Events, Leadership, Gender Balance, Tech, Science, Success, Network
Topics: Events, Leadership, Team, Mentoring, Coaching