Women in Pharmaceutical Science Community

Mine is not advice given specifically to me, though it's been something I've leaned on throughout my life and career:

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." 

The quote is widely credited to Eleanor Roosevelt, and it reminds me to have faith in myself. There will always be external (and internal!) voices that make you doubt your worth or ability and you have the power not to let those voices in. For women, the internal voices can be especially loud so it's important to cultivate healthy self-confidence. As a small example, I have this quote in my mind when I've been hesitant to ask questions that others might perceive as dumb. So I'll ask anyway, because even if someone else does think the question to be naive, I understand the limits of my knowledge and I'll have learned something. 

Looking forward to hearing and learning from others!

------------------------------
Michele Gunsior
Viela Bio
Gaithersburg MD

The opinions expressed are my own and may not reflect those of my employer.
------------------------------

Thank you Michele for the very insightful advice! Your post is an important reminder that your ideas, suggestions, talents do matter and that you should not allow anyone to tell you different.

The  simply message I have heard throughout my career is to Be confident in what you know/

------------------------------
Patrice Jackson-Ayotunde Ph.D.
Associate Professor
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Princess Anne MD
[email protected]

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer.
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-28-2019 09:27
From: Michele Gunsior
Subject: Best Advice - career or otherwise - you've been given

Mine is not advice given specifically to me, though it's been something I've leaned on throughout my life and career:

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

The quote is widely credited to Eleanor Roosevelt, and it reminds me to have faith in myself. There will always be external (and internal!) voices that make you doubt your worth or ability and you have the power not to let those voices in. For women, the internal voices can be especially loud so it's important to cultivate healthy self-confidence. As a small example, I have this quote in my mind when I've been hesitant to ask questions that others might perceive as dumb. So I'll ask anyway, because even if someone else does think the question to be naive, I understand the limits of my knowledge and I'll have learned something.

Looking forward to hearing and learning from others!

------------------------------
Michele Gunsior
Viela Bio
Gaithersburg MD

The opinions expressed are my own and may not reflect those of my employer.
------------------------------

​I recently finished reading Emile Aries new book Bossed Up: A Grown Woman's Guide to Getting Your Sh*t Together, which poignantly described the concept of assertiveness vs. aggressiveness specifically related to gender norms in the workplace. She describes assertiveness as advocating sternly with good intentions for either a group of individuals (i.e. your team), or for yourself with the intent of eliciting change that has long-standing impact on others later on down the road. So often in the workplace speaking frankly or directly as a woman is misinterpreted as aggression when the intent is to be assertive. I interpreted Emile's definition not only as a means of checking myself and my intentions, but to use as a way of reframing the conversation. By redefining the approach as avocation, people are more apt to get on board with your idea.

As someone very new to a Supervisor role, finding a balance of being able to accomplish change management goals while not stepping on any toes has been really difficult to navigate. Hearing from other women in the industry focused on topics like this is really helpful!!

------------------------------
Kayla J. Spivey
Laboratory Supervisor
ICON Laboratory Services
Whitesboro, NY
[email protected]

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer.
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-28-2019 09:27
From: Michele Gunsior
Subject: Best Advice - career or otherwise - you've been given

Mine is not advice given specifically to me, though it's been something I've leaned on throughout my life and career:

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

The quote is widely credited to Eleanor Roosevelt, and it reminds me to have faith in myself. There will always be external (and internal!) voices that make you doubt your worth or ability and you have the power not to let those voices in. For women, the internal voices can be especially loud so it's important to cultivate healthy self-confidence. As a small example, I have this quote in my mind when I've been hesitant to ask questions that others might perceive as dumb. So I'll ask anyway, because even if someone else does think the question to be naive, I understand the limits of my knowledge and I'll have learned something.

Looking forward to hearing and learning from others!

------------------------------
Michele Gunsior
Viela Bio
Gaithersburg MD

The opinions expressed are my own and may not reflect those of my employer.
------------------------------

Hi Kayla, 

I think the assertiveness vs aggressiveness is one of the hardest things for women to manage. It's so loaded with gender history and expectations that it can feel impossible to get it right. A senior female leader from a former company once told a group of us something along the lines of "I don't worry about it. I will always be judged for something and if I spent time thinking about these things then I wouldn't be effective in the work that matters."  I'm not in that place yet. 

I'll definitely look for that book!

------------------------------
Michele Gunsior
Viela Bio
Gaithersburg MD

The opinions expressed are my own and may not reflect those of my employer.
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-01-2019 08:47
From: Kayla Spivey
Subject: Best Advice - career or otherwise - you've been given

​I recently finished reading Emile Aries new book Bossed Up: A Grown Woman's Guide to Getting Your Sh*t Together, which poignantly described the concept of assertiveness vs. aggressiveness specifically related to gender norms in the workplace. She describes assertiveness as advocating sternly with good intentions for either a group of individuals (i.e. your team), or for yourself with the intent of eliciting change that has long-standing impact on others later on down the road. So often in the workplace speaking frankly or directly as a woman is misinterpreted as aggression when the intent is to be assertive. I interpreted Emile's definition not only as a means of checking myself and my intentions, but to use as a way of reframing the conversation. By redefining the approach as avocation, people are more apt to get on board with your idea.

As someone very new to a Supervisor role, finding a balance of being able to accomplish change management goals while not stepping on any toes has been really difficult to navigate. Hearing from other women in the industry focused on topics like this is really helpful!!

------------------------------
Kayla J. Spivey
Laboratory Supervisor
ICON Laboratory Services
Whitesboro, NY
[email protected]

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer.

Original Message:
Sent: 06-28-2019 09:27
From: Michele Gunsior
Subject: Best Advice - career or otherwise - you've been given

Mine is not advice given specifically to me, though it's been something I've leaned on throughout my life and career:

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

The quote is widely credited to Eleanor Roosevelt, and it reminds me to have faith in myself. There will always be external (and internal!) voices that make you doubt your worth or ability and you have the power not to let those voices in. For women, the internal voices can be especially loud so it's important to cultivate healthy self-confidence. As a small example, I have this quote in my mind when I've been hesitant to ask questions that others might perceive as dumb. So I'll ask anyway, because even if someone else does think the question to be naive, I understand the limits of my knowledge and I'll have learned something.

Looking forward to hearing and learning from others!

------------------------------
Michele Gunsior
Viela Bio
Gaithersburg MD

The opinions expressed are my own and may not reflect those of my employer.
------------------------------

For me, it is "assume best intentions", with a corollary of "You judge yourself by your intentions and others by their actions". Assuming best intentions is a mindset that assumes there is a good reason behind the action and proceeding in that vein. As someone with a bit of a temper, this is the advice that keeps me even keeled and reduces my stress.

The workplace is a stressful environment, and especially email can come across as harshly worded. An off-the-cuff comment can be worsened over a teleconference. Poor posture from stress can be misinterpreted as anger. Office politics are ever present as people have different motivating factors (Influencing without Authority is a great book about this).

I have had people ask me how I can be so calm in the face of an obvious insult. The answer is "assume best intentions". I simply don't regard it as an insult, because that may not be how it was intended. This shift in mindset has been essential as I move into more visible roles representing my department. 

------------------------------
Joleen White Ph.D.
Director, Head of NBE DMPK Project Support
EMD Serono
Billerica MA
[email protected]

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer.
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-28-2019 09:27
From: Michele Gunsior
Subject: Best Advice - career or otherwise - you've been given

Mine is not advice given specifically to me, though it's been something I've leaned on throughout my life and career:

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

The quote is widely credited to Eleanor Roosevelt, and it reminds me to have faith in myself. There will always be external (and internal!) voices that make you doubt your worth or ability and you have the power not to let those voices in. For women, the internal voices can be especially loud so it's important to cultivate healthy self-confidence. As a small example, I have this quote in my mind when I've been hesitant to ask questions that others might perceive as dumb. So I'll ask anyway, because even if someone else does think the question to be naive, I understand the limits of my knowledge and I'll have learned something.

Looking forward to hearing and learning from others!

------------------------------
Michele Gunsior
Viela Bio
Gaithersburg MD

The opinions expressed are my own and may not reflect those of my employer.
------------------------------

Hi Joleen, 

That's another great one! I could use use it more often at work and I completely agree that (when I do remember this) it's helped to defuse tension. 


------------------------------
Michele Gunsior
Viela Bio
Gaithersburg MD

The opinions expressed are my own and may not reflect those of my employer.
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-01-2019 10:22
From: Joleen White
Subject: Best Advice - career or otherwise - you've been given

For me, it is "assume best intentions", with a corollary of "You judge yourself by your intentions and others by their actions". Assuming best intentions is a mindset that assumes there is a good reason behind the action and proceeding in that vein. As someone with a bit of a temper, this is the advice that keeps me even keeled and reduces my stress.

The workplace is a stressful environment, and especially email can come across as harshly worded. An off-the-cuff comment can be worsened over a teleconference. Poor posture from stress can be misinterpreted as anger. Office politics are ever present as people have different motivating factors (Influencing without Authority is a great book about this).

I have had people ask me how I can be so calm in the face of an obvious insult. The answer is "assume best intentions". I simply don't regard it as an insult, because that may not be how it was intended. This shift in mindset has been essential as I move into more visible roles representing my department.

------------------------------
Joleen White Ph.D.
Director, Head of NBE DMPK Project Support
EMD Serono
Billerica MA
[email protected]

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer.

Original Message:
Sent: 06-28-2019 09:27
From: Michele Gunsior
Subject: Best Advice - career or otherwise - you've been given

Mine is not advice given specifically to me, though it's been something I've leaned on throughout my life and career:

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

The quote is widely credited to Eleanor Roosevelt, and it reminds me to have faith in myself. There will always be external (and internal!) voices that make you doubt your worth or ability and you have the power not to let those voices in. For women, the internal voices can be especially loud so it's important to cultivate healthy self-confidence. As a small example, I have this quote in my mind when I've been hesitant to ask questions that others might perceive as dumb. So I'll ask anyway, because even if someone else does think the question to be naive, I understand the limits of my knowledge and I'll have learned something.

Looking forward to hearing and learning from others!

------------------------------
Michele Gunsior
Viela Bio
Gaithersburg MD

The opinions expressed are my own and may not reflect those of my employer.
------------------------------

Hi Michele,
Thanks for starting a great discussion.  I've been reading with interest.

The best career advice I received was to look for a new job at least every 3 years, even when you're happy in your role.  The consequence of this is that you stay in tune with what is going on outside your own organization and you either get a clear sense that the grass is truly not greener and so you come back to your current job with a renewed energy and commitment OR you find an opportunity that is just too good to pass up.  Both of these outcomes are good. (Although your employers may not thank me for the latter outcome).

Another note I would like to raise is the importance of regular networking.  Informal cups of coffee have led to great personal growth opportunities for me (it's where I got the above advice, in fact).  I think we get so busy I our jobs that we don't make time for networking.  But, it truly does pay back multifold.  And if you're introverted and hate the idea of networking events, don't despair - introverts network effectively in different ways - I highly recommend the podcast Work Life by Adam Grant, specifically the episode on "Networking for People Who Hate Networking".

Like Joleen, I have always tried to live by the mantra of "assume best intentions".  However, I've recently revised that to "assume you don't know" after reading Brene Brown's book "Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Heart."  What I learned is that in truth intentions are not always good - you simply don't know what people's intentions are. So, you should not make assumptions.  Instead, engage with them to understand their intentions.  And then problem solve together.  Easy to say.  Not easy to do.  But, worthwhile to do.

And one last comment on the aggressive vs assertive and how hard it is to get it right.....I think we women try so hard to do everything we can to get it right for everyone else.  I'd like to brainstorm how we can instead get the world to stop judging us so harshly....

------------------------------
Lauren Stevenson
Vice President - Translational Sciences
Immunologix Laboratories
Tampa FL
[email protected]

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer.
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-01-2019 10:22
From: Joleen White
Subject: Best Advice - career or otherwise - you've been given

For me, it is "assume best intentions", with a corollary of "You judge yourself by your intentions and others by their actions". Assuming best intentions is a mindset that assumes there is a good reason behind the action and proceeding in that vein. As someone with a bit of a temper, this is the advice that keeps me even keeled and reduces my stress.

The workplace is a stressful environment, and especially email can come across as harshly worded. An off-the-cuff comment can be worsened over a teleconference. Poor posture from stress can be misinterpreted as anger. Office politics are ever present as people have different motivating factors (Influencing without Authority is a great book about this).

I have had people ask me how I can be so calm in the face of an obvious insult. The answer is "assume best intentions". I simply don't regard it as an insult, because that may not be how it was intended. This shift in mindset has been essential as I move into more visible roles representing my department.

------------------------------
Joleen White Ph.D.
Director, Head of NBE DMPK Project Support
EMD Serono
Billerica MA
[email protected]

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer.

Original Message:
Sent: 06-28-2019 09:27
From: Michele Gunsior
Subject: Best Advice - career or otherwise - you've been given

Mine is not advice given specifically to me, though it's been something I've leaned on throughout my life and career:

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

The quote is widely credited to Eleanor Roosevelt, and it reminds me to have faith in myself. There will always be external (and internal!) voices that make you doubt your worth or ability and you have the power not to let those voices in. For women, the internal voices can be especially loud so it's important to cultivate healthy self-confidence. As a small example, I have this quote in my mind when I've been hesitant to ask questions that others might perceive as dumb. So I'll ask anyway, because even if someone else does think the question to be naive, I understand the limits of my knowledge and I'll have learned something.

Looking forward to hearing and learning from others!

------------------------------
Michele Gunsior
Viela Bio
Gaithersburg MD

The opinions expressed are my own and may not reflect those of my employer.
------------------------------

Hi Lauren, 

I've been thinking about your message since you posted and through my vacation. There are so many good points here. 

Regarding searching out new roles every few years -- I have a friend who does this and it's served her very well. They were all within the same company (which is much easier to do if you're working for a large company) and because she's great at what she does and also doesn't shy from a new challenge, she's risen much more quickly through the company than she would have otherwise. 

I agree too that networking doesn't have to be so daunting or exclusively with people you don't know. I try to schedule lunch once a week to connect with friends or colleagues that I haven't seen in awhile to hear how they're doing. There is such benefit to this, not only in cementing relationships, but understanding the larger business in general or the struggles they may be having (that maybe I'm having as well). I also love Adam Grant... he and Sheryl Sandberg wrote a great series of op-ed articles for the NY Times a few years ago called "Women at Work."  This one:  https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/opinion/sunday/speaking-while-female.html  is especially relevant to the aggressive vs. assertive question and what happens generally when women speak up.

------------------------------
Michele Gunsior
Viela Bio
Gaithersburg MD

The opinions expressed are my own and may not reflect those of my employer.
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-02-2019 15:19
From: Lauren Stevenson
Subject: Best Advice - career or otherwise - you've been given

Hi Michele,
Thanks for starting a great discussion.  I've been reading with interest.

The best career advice I received was to look for a new job at least every 3 years, even when you're happy in your role.  The consequence of this is that you stay in tune with what is going on outside your own organization and you either get a clear sense that the grass is truly not greener and so you come back to your current job with a renewed energy and commitment OR you find an opportunity that is just too good to pass up.  Both of these outcomes are good. (Although your employers may not thank me for the latter outcome).

Another note I would like to raise is the importance of regular networking.  Informal cups of coffee have led to great personal growth opportunities for me (it's where I got the above advice, in fact).  I think we get so busy I our jobs that we don't make time for networking.  But, it truly does pay back multifold.  And if you're introverted and hate the idea of networking events, don't despair - introverts network effectively in different ways - I highly recommend the podcast Work Life by Adam Grant, specifically the episode on "Networking for People Who Hate Networking".

Like Joleen, I have always tried to live by the mantra of "assume best intentions".  However, I've recently revised that to "assume you don't know" after reading Brene Brown's book "Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Heart."  What I learned is that in truth intentions are not always good - you simply don't know what people's intentions are. So, you should not make assumptions.  Instead, engage with them to understand their intentions.  And then problem solve together.  Easy to say.  Not easy to do.  But, worthwhile to do.

And one last comment on the aggressive vs assertive and how hard it is to get it right.....I think we women try so hard to do everything we can to get it right for everyone else.  I'd like to brainstorm how we can instead get the world to stop judging us so harshly....

------------------------------
Lauren Stevenson
Vice President - Translational Sciences
Immunologix Laboratories
Tampa FL
[email protected]

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer.

Original Message:
Sent: 07-01-2019 10:22
From: Joleen White
Subject: Best Advice - career or otherwise - you've been given

For me, it is "assume best intentions", with a corollary of "You judge yourself by your intentions and others by their actions". Assuming best intentions is a mindset that assumes there is a good reason behind the action and proceeding in that vein. As someone with a bit of a temper, this is the advice that keeps me even keeled and reduces my stress.

The workplace is a stressful environment, and especially email can come across as harshly worded. An off-the-cuff comment can be worsened over a teleconference. Poor posture from stress can be misinterpreted as anger. Office politics are ever present as people have different motivating factors (Influencing without Authority is a great book about this).

I have had people ask me how I can be so calm in the face of an obvious insult. The answer is "assume best intentions". I simply don't regard it as an insult, because that may not be how it was intended. This shift in mindset has been essential as I move into more visible roles representing my department.

------------------------------
Joleen White Ph.D.
Director, Head of NBE DMPK Project Support
EMD Serono
Billerica MA
[email protected]

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer.

Original Message:
Sent: 06-28-2019 09:27
From: Michele Gunsior
Subject: Best Advice - career or otherwise - you've been given

Mine is not advice given specifically to me, though it's been something I've leaned on throughout my life and career:

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

The quote is widely credited to Eleanor Roosevelt, and it reminds me to have faith in myself. There will always be external (and internal!) voices that make you doubt your worth or ability and you have the power not to let those voices in. For women, the internal voices can be especially loud so it's important to cultivate healthy self-confidence. As a small example, I have this quote in my mind when I've been hesitant to ask questions that others might perceive as dumb. So I'll ask anyway, because even if someone else does think the question to be naive, I understand the limits of my knowledge and I'll have learned something.

Looking forward to hearing and learning from others!

------------------------------
Michele Gunsior
Viela Bio
Gaithersburg MD

The opinions expressed are my own and may not reflect those of my employer.
------------------------------

Great advice! This speaks specifically to me as I usually ask all my questions to myself several times before voicing it out. By the time I realize, the time allotted to ask questions is over or a different subject is being discussed. In as much as I do not want to sound naïve, there is a point when I realize this question could have sparked important discussions and this could lead to a new research project. 

------------------------------
Mary Twumasi
PhD Student
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore
Princess Anne MD
[email protected]

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer.
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-28-2019 09:27
From: Michele Gunsior
Subject: Best Advice - career or otherwise - you've been given

Mine is not advice given specifically to me, though it's been something I've leaned on throughout my life and career:

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." 

The quote is widely credited to Eleanor Roosevelt, and it reminds me to have faith in myself. There will always be external (and internal!) voices that make you doubt your worth or ability and you have the power not to let those voices in. For women, the internal voices can be especially loud so it's important to cultivate healthy self-confidence. As a small example, I have this quote in my mind when I've been hesitant to ask questions that others might perceive as dumb. So I'll ask anyway, because even if someone else does think the question to be naive, I understand the limits of my knowledge and I'll have learned something. 

Looking forward to hearing and learning from others!

------------------------------
Michele Gunsior
Viela Bio
Gaithersburg MD

The opinions expressed are my own and may not reflect those of my employer.
------------------------------