WEST Wisdom Blog

"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

Ever wished you could be the type of person that people take notice of when you walk into a meeting? You know the scenario…. the room hushes, heads turn expectantly towards the door, and there is an electric aura of expectation for what will come next. Or maybe you would like to be the person whose ideas are still being talked about long after the meeting has ended. Well, guess what…. it IS possible to become THAT person. Learn how to be the influencer, rather than the influenced!

Topics: Events, Women, Career, Community, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Presence, Discussion, Connect, Influence

Enjoy breakfast with  Yvonne Greenstreet,  Chief Operating Officer  and Laurie Keating, Chief Legal Counsel. They will share learnings from women in the C-suite and serving on Boards.

Topics: Events, Women, Career, Community, Cambridge, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Discussion, Rockstars, Lessons Learned, Breakfast

Imagine going to a conference designed completely to meet your needs. That’s what an unConference is. This unConference will feature keynote speakers to get you thinking  about the economics of being female and how looking at the challenge from an economic view can positively impact your career. I n true unConference fashion, it has no agenda until the participants create it. You will decide what topics will be discussed by pitching solutions to the crowd for further discussions in breakout groups. You will share ideas, problem solve, hear multiple perspectives, and challenge the status quo with creative solutions. There is great diversity and experience in the Boston area and this is wonderful opportunity for you to share expertise and exchange innovative ideas in a supportive environment. This is self-directed learning at its best. The content is relevant and exciting because the agenda is created for you, and by you, in the moment.

Topics: Events, Gender Balance, STEM, Gender Balance, Women, Boston, Career, Community, Work Life Balance, Life, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Discussion, Financial, Interactive, Equal Pay, Change, unConference, Economics, Female

We know that many women draw the short straw when it comes to money: lower wages, slower career progression, outrageous child care costs, costly clothes, ridiculous dress codes, health care, etc. We also know that many women find themselves at the end of their working careers with little financial security.

What are the underlying economic reasons for these unfair outcomes for women who are working hard to both support their families and promote their careers?

Topics: Events, Women, Career, Community, Upcoming Events, Discussion, Resources, Interactive, Equal Pay, Change, unConference, Economics, Solutions, Female