WEST Wisdom Blog

Tips for Difficult Conversations

Posted by WEST Board Member on Sep 24, 2018 4:33:58 PM

Ugh. Another set of sleepless nights full of anxiety getting ready for a difficult conversation. Whether the conversation involves providing feedback to a colleague or involves asking your boss for a long overdue promotion and pay raise, you just know it is going to be difficult. And stressful.

But… fear not, there REALLY ARE ways to reduce some of the anxiety.

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Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Communication, Community, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Biotech, Interactive, Connect, Trust, Developing Your Skills, Challenges, Career Development, Own It

Improving the Quality and Impact of Our Conversations

Posted by WEST Board Member on Sep 14, 2018 8:30:00 AM

The way in which we communicate – whether at work, at home or in school – has changed dramatically over the years with the accessibility of email, texting, and the use of social media applications.  Communications among colleagues and friends are often reduced to fragmented collections of written phrases and responses, fired off moments after receipt of an inbound message. The on-demand, always accessible manner of communicating has certainly brought significant conveniences, but it has reduced the opportunities for conversations among us. As a result, we may be missing out on the chance to connect, engage, and collaborate in a more meaningful way.

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Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Communication, Community, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Relationships, Biotech, Interactive, Connect, Collaboration, Trust, Developing Your Skills, Impact, Career Development, Own It

No Title? No Problem! Learn to Influence Without Authority

Posted by Jaime Luna on Sep 4, 2018 3:23:53 PM

Influencing without authority is one of the most valuable skills you can learn and there are many useful forms of influence that you could be taking greater advantage of. Six sources of influence are positional, expertise, resources, informational, direct, and relationships.

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Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Communication, Community, Success, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Professional, Relationships, Biotech, Interactive, Connect, Influence, Developing Your Skills, Support, Career Development, Influence Without Authority, Own It

Uncertain to Unstoppable: How to Conquer Your Next Networking Event

Posted by WEST Volunteer on Aug 15, 2018 9:00:00 AM

Networking events are often a daunting necessity for many professionals. You don’t want to go, but you know you have to. Attending networking events is crucial in today’s professional world. Here are a few things to keep in mind when networking:

  • Have a Goal
  • Do Your Homework
  • Dress to Impress
  • Bring Copies of Your Resume and Business Cards
  • Listen First, Absorb, and Then Contribute
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Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Transitions, Career, Communication, Community, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Professional, Biotech, Interactive, Connect, Developing Your Skills, Confidence, Engage, Career Development, Own It, Listen

Develop Presence to Better Connect, Inspire, and Influence Others at All Levels

Posted by WEST Board Member on Jul 27, 2018 2:32:46 PM

In today’s increasingly competitive workplace and market, it’s no longer sufficient to get by with a strong resume and cover letter. In order to succeed in your field, you must act on your strengths, diligently build connections/community, and seek recognition in order to set yourself apart.

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Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Transitions, Career, Communication, Community, Life, Cambridge, Inspire, Women in STEM, Networking, You, Upcoming Events, Professional, Presence, Biotech, Resources, Interactive, Connect, Influence, Developing Your Skills, Engage, Career Development, Own It, Empowerment

It Takes a Village to Build a Career

Posted by WEST Board Member on Jul 25, 2018 2:02:24 PM

Have you ever heard the old adage, “It takes a village to raise a child?” Well it doesn’t stop there. It also takes a “village” to build a career. Your career.

There is a Chinese term, Guan Xi, which translates to “the Chinese form of networking that is built up from family, village and clan kinship. In Chinese business and life in general, the maintenance of face and cordial Guan Xi are prerequisites in ensuring that networks operate smoothly and reliably.”

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Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Transitions, Career, Communication, Community, Life, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Networking, You, Annual Theme, Upcoming Events, Professional, Biotech, Resources, Interactive, Connect, Career Path, Developing Your Skills, Engage, Career Development, Speed Networking, Own It, Empowerment

Get Leadership Strategies to Advance Your Career

Posted by Jaime Luna on Jul 19, 2018 2:17:31 PM

Sandra Glucksmann, President & CEO at Cedilla Therapeutics, will share stories of her career challenges and successes. She will discuss how to best apply your scientific and analytical abilities to develop influence and negotiation skills. Sandra will share her learning experiences as she transitioned from bench scientist to manager, and from manager to executive in both small and large company settings. 

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Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Tech, Science, Transitions, Career, Communication, Community, Cambridge, Success, negotiation, Leader, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Discussion, Connect, Influence, Management, Developing Your Skills, Challenges, Career Development, Influence Without Authority

Lessons Learned from April-July 2018 WEST Events

Posted by Jaime Luna on Jun 28, 2018 8:30:00 AM

Learn more about past events listed below

7/25: Leadership Strategies to Advance Your Career
6/12: Leadership and Women of the Future Awards and Panel Discussion
5/23: Providing Impactful Feedback Up, Down, and Across
4/26: How to Present Technical Information so People Will Understand, Care, and Remember
4/23: How Does a Start-up Embrace Open Innovation with a Large Corporation
4/11: Innovation and Entrepreneurship Senior Panel Discussion

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Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Boston, Tech, Career, Communication, Awards, Community, Entrepreneurship, Network, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Innovation, Discussion, Connect, Open Innovation, Start-Up, Feedback, Impact

LinkedIn & Networking: Your Reputation Precedes You

Posted by WEST Board Member on Jun 19, 2018 2:13:10 PM

Once upon a time, there was a social network. The social network was rich with relationships. People were connected to their family, friends, and other people in their village. But technology didn’t stand still. Eventually they could connect to distant relationships by mail, then Pony Express, then telegraph, then the wireless, then the telephone, and then by email. Life was good. You could reach out to almost everyone you needed to.

Then, in late 2002 a colleague at work, Yvonne, sent an odd-looking invitation to me through this thing called LinkedIn.

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Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Community, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Relationships, Discussion, Connect, Developing Your Skills, Career Development

Benefits of Coaching Circles

Posted by Jaime Luna on Jun 12, 2018 1:53:52 PM

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. 

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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

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