WEST Wisdom Blog

You are probably managing or working in a team with members scattered in different offices, different cities and different parts of the world. We can all underestimate, and especially if we are the ones at cozy HQ, how lonely, disconnected and inefficient this can feel. Misunderstandings and toxic office politics can swell with distance as team motivation and the sense of agency diminishes.

Topics: Events, Leadership, STEM, Women, Career, Communication, Community, Resilience, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Relationships, Management, Trust, Vision

"Christmas Carrels?" - From where I sit, managing my work and managing my people is an immersive experience.  Literally.  I always choose to place my desk in the middle of our workspace, the better to both be accessible and to communicate to my staff and my colleagues that we are all in this together.  In my view, leadership by example works best when those I lead can see my example every day as they walk past my desk. It is also a reality check, and humbling, to see the dedication of all those around me. It is all to easy to underestimate the amount of time and effort required to deliver on a project. Hard work is its own reward and by being in the center of all the action ensures I work (and can be seen to work) as long and hard as any of my direct reports. Whilst I do enjoy the "open office" design concept and believe it is important to be available for all the little questions, not just the big ones, there is a “cost”. A significant cost. And that is the cost of being constantly pulled in many different directions, and having to flex quickly between my many different roles as subject matter expert, communicator, decision maker, firefighter, manager, peer, and subordinate. It is very easy to feel out of control, and it is all too easy to succumb to being over overwhelmed, especially when taking on a new role, such as a manager or project leader. Don’t panic – there are simple ways to regain control and increase your effectiveness (and your enjoyment!).

Topics: Events, STEM, Women, Career, Communication, Community, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Management, Delegation

How do you think about managing your career path? Do you have the same conversations with your boss and find yourself trying to figure out what would work best in your organization? Does it feel like you are having the same conversation and using same general strategy? Maybe it’s time to put a twist on things and view your career advancement through a different lens. On December 4^th, WEST will host an interactive workshop and fireside chat with Lisa Prior, a veteran leadership coach and author of “Take Charge of Your VIEW: Career Advice You Won’t Get from Your Boss.” Lisa will enable you to implement a different approach to advancing your career. One that will allow you to take charge and develop a strategy. Lisa will lead an interactive discussion that will help you dig deep and come away with a different perspective. Come away with the desire to bring out the best in yourself and develop a new method to advance your career and the organization in which you work. Join us for an interactive evening filled with good conversation, an opportunity to meet other WEST members, and learn some interesting new skills that you can apply in life and at work.

Topics: Events, STEM, Women, Career, Community, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Career Path

January 25th is WEST's 10th Annual Giving Back Awards honoring role models who balance job and personal responsibilities while making a difference in their community. Do you know someone providing direct service to the community, giving outside of the core responsibilities of his or her job, who has a day job in science or technology, and is willing to have his or her story printed in the event program? Nominate him or her during the month of November at http:// bit.ly /2zhweRa.

Topics: Events, STEM, Women, Nominate, Awards, Community, Giving Back, Cambridge, Giving, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Balance, Making a Difference, Inspiration, Role Models

January 25th is WEST's 10th Annual Giving Back Awards honoring role models who balance job and personal responsibilities while making a difference in their community. Do you know someone providing direct service to the community, giving outside of the core responsibilities of his or her job, who has a day job in science or technology, and is willing to have his or her story printed in the event program? Nominate him or her during the month of November at http:// bit.ly /2zhweRa.

Topics: Events, STEM, Women, Nominate, Awards, Community, Giving Back, Cambridge, Giving, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Balance, Making a Difference, Inspiration, Role Models

In today's business world, it's rare that a team is physically located in the same space. Remote work is becoming increasingly popular and easier with advancements in technology. Business are also more global than ever before as it's easier to expand abroad. As it becomes easier for businesses to physically expand, it also becomes more difficult to collaborate and communicate. Between different time zones, cultural communication styles and varying priorities it's hard to stay aligned as a business. This creates challenges as we try and execute on a strategy. It's important that we double down on visibility into collaborative work and leverage tools that help us stay aligned. 

Topics: Events, STEM, Women, Career, Communication, Community, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Excellence, Operational, Business, Collaboration, Digital, IT, Tools

Shy?  Afraid you won't know anyone?  Like having a bit of an ice breaker?  (not too uncommon for those in the STEM fields).

 

WEST and Alnylam have teamed up to help you hit the easy button with respect to your networking.  You know you need to do it - why not have some help?

 

Come join us November 14 to meet and mingle with like-minded STEM professionals in networking activities designed to engage you with each other.

Topics: Events, STEM, Women, Career, Community, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events

"Wonder Woman is psychological propaganda for the new type of woman who should, I believe, rule the world” – William Moulton Marston, creator of Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman did not appear out of nowhere. Accordingly to the legend, she was created and mentored by her mother and was supported by a tribe of strong Amazon role models. Wonder Woman's Amazonian training helped her to develop a wide range of extraordinary skills and tools to help her in her quests for justice. Similarly, engaging with the Amazons of STEM leadership will help us develop the skills and tools required to succeed in our quests for obtaining leadership positions in the STEM arena. 

Topics: Events, Leadership, STEM, Women, Boston, Awards, Success

Join WEST for an enchanting evening of celebration in Cambridge on Wednesday January 25^th at our “Giving Back Awards” event where we will be recognizing remarkable individuals who contribute to the greater good.

 

Topics: Events, STEM, Women, Awards, Community, Giving Back, Network, Giving, Inspire

Meet the extraordinary and inspiring women and men being honored and hear the stories of how they have made a profound impact on society. The honorees are role models who balance job and personal responsibilities while making a difference in their community. Join us to congratulate them, be inspired, network, and support the career advancement of women in the enterprise of science and technology! 

Topics: Events, STEM, Awards, Community, Giving Back, Network, Inspire