Who inspires you?

I have asked this question of many people around me recently.  I received a whole range of answers none of which were right or wrong.  For me, inspiration is very subjective and extremely individual.  What inspires me, may not inspire others.  Inspiration is important for me to fuel my desire and drive to be a better person and achieve my goals.

There are many things that inspire me.  In this day and age where “fame” often equates to “infamy” – high profile people rarely inspire me.  It is, more often than not, ordinary everyday people that inspire me.

Recently, I met a group of parents of children with cancer.  These were parents who were working hard to build a life for their families and then were struck by the unthinkable – their child was diagnosed with cancer.  They craved “normality” – kids growing up, doing sport, making friends, making them laugh or cry and doing what kids do.  What these families were thrust into was a maelstrom of pain, agony and chronic health issues for their little person.  These parents had to fight with ferocity that they didn’t know they had to keep their collective heads above water.  These “ordinary” parents were anything but ordinary and I felt incredibly privileged to have met them.  It gave me even more determination to achieve my goals to make a difference.

There are many others in my life (including my dog!) who have shown similar determination, strength, dignity and fortitude.  They are people (or animals) that I think of when the going gets tough, when I am despondent for any reason or when I am hurting physically and mentally.

My inspiration is all about my “why”.  Simon Sinek asked the famous question “what is your why?”.  His argument was that those companies and individuals who were driven by their “why” ultimately achieved or exceeded their goals.

My “why” is that I want to make a positive difference to people’s lives.  When I meet or hear of people who are striving (with dignity and grace) for positive change for others or themselves……this inspires me greatly.

I am coming to the end of a very challenging 6 month study program on the Fundamentals of Transactions (through Influence Ecology) which has been an introduction to transacting more powerfully to achieve my goals for health, work, career and money.  I have studied and worked hard at this – my business is growing, I feel healthy and well and most of all, I know what my goals are and how I can go about achieving these.  Inspiration, while not necessarily scientific or evidence-based, is helping me get there.

I will leave you with a quote from Abigail (in the photo), an 8 year old young lady who is in remission from brain cancer.  Abby came to visit my martial arts class recently to show them how she can do push ups (on her toes) and one legged push ups (on both sides)!  On the way into the class, Abby said to me “I’ve had 55 thoughts today”.

Well Abby, you might be small but your thoughts and determination inspire me!

Who inspires you?

Time for action on the PhD

It has been a while since I posted.  Today’s commentary piece by Emma Johnston in the Sydney Morning Herald has inspired me to get my thoughts down.  “We need more scientists to take the leap into politics” is the title of this piece.  This struck a chord with me as many who know me will be aware of my former aspiration to not just get into politics but to be Prime Minister.  I wanted to be in the position where I could have the greatest influence on our health care system, our education system, our infrastructure, our social support and so on.  Over ten years ago, I went to see my local MP (Lindsay Tanner) and shared with him my aspiration.  I remember his words very clearly “we need more scientists in politics, we need more nurses, more people from justice, community services, rural communities, the church………but the bottom line is that you either need to be aligned with a faction or a political party from an early age or you need to be famous to get into politics”.

Right oh – I am not that!  Then Lindsay suggested to me that I could make just as much difference or more as a leader and an influencer.

I totally agree with Emma when she says “Scientists have the potential to be great leaders – indeed, to change the world”.  She describes four important characteristics of scientists that could make a real difference in our crazy mixed up world today – vision, systems-based thinking, structure and partnership.  I would add two more characteristics to this list and I say these with the greatest respect for my scientific colleagues – scientists are inherently argumentative and challenging people.  They need to be (and I include myself in this category!).  This is what they do.   I celebrate scientists for this for without it we would not see the transformative benefits of innovation and development led by Australian scientists.

Our Chief Scientist Alan Finkel AO recently gave a speech to the  Innovation and Science Postgraduate Research Education Forum on “The New Role of a PhD“.  Professor Finkel says  “I believe that Australians do respect our PhDs – but we respect them first and foremost as people well prepared for academic life.  We don’t approach the PhD as the Germans do: as a sterling qualification for all walks of life.”

Bingo…..!  The traditional view of a scientist is as an academic – someone who works in a research-intensive setting (e.g. a university or an institute).  Someone who is measured by their outputs as an individual (whereas most successful science programs are team-based) and subject to the increasingly fragile state of competitive research funding and balancing both heavy teaching or clinical workloads and/or personal commitments with a productive research career.  Many outstanding young scientists out there will agree that this is becoming increasingly unsustainable.

Nearly twenty years ago – I moved out of the academic setting after nearly 20 years in laboratory-based medical research and into the research management space.  I still think of myself as a researcher.  This is what I write on the immigration card when re-entering Australia.  While I may not run a program of research any longer, I bring my research thinking to evaluation, advocacy and strategy for research organisations.  This is my passion and I think I have had more impact in this capacity than when I was an “academic”.

I see examples like this all the time, where scientists move out of a traditional academic career into government, teaching, policy, industry, community organisations etc.  But there is a view that these people are leaving research and their careers are “alternative”. People tell me I am a bit of an expert on alternative research careers as I have now been 17 years in research management and am now running my own business.   I have never considered my career as alternative.  My career is one I love, where I am driven by making a difference (refer previous remarks about political aspirations) and I do make a difference.  It is right for me.

Careers, not just in research, are changing with the implementation of new technologies.  My husband works in the autonomous technology industry which highlights the need for approaches to training and career development to evolve with this progress.

Likewise, I think the model of traditional PhD needs to evolve.  Leadership training (helping a PhD student find their “why”), community linkages, cultural training, industry / service partnerships need to be built in early in a scientists training.  We need a culture change to accept that researchers working outside of academia is not only acceptable but needs to be encouraged.  This should be seen as a positive reflection on the university that has trained that student.  A career in research is so much more than skills and outputs.  Don’t get me wrong – these are important – but the evidence-based debate that is so lacking in our society today could be brought to the fore with more PhD’s in community leadership roles.

Culture change requires champions.  I take my hat off to Emma Johnston and Alan Finkel as positive champions of change.  Doug Hilton (WEHI Director) has also been an extremely progressive champion of change in workplace diversity.  There are many energetic early-mid career researchers who are both passionate and smart.

I think it is time to take action on the PhD.  What it looks like, feels like and prepares its recipient for.  Lets bring the champions of change together with the early-mid career researchers and people outside academia.  Action is the key here and it is time for action.

Research Leader or Leading Researcher?

Leadership is one of my favourite topics.  I have worked with some inspirational leaders.  I have worked with many wonderful young people who have big dreams and aspire to be leaders.  Like everyone, I have insight into community, sports, business and political leaders – some great, some not.

There is a very clear distinction between a research leader and a leading researcher.  Leading researchers, in my view, are world class in their chosen field.  They are experts and quality contributors in this space.  A leading researcher is not necessarily a research leader.  Research leaders are visionary, inspirational, generous, motivating, values-driven, well-rounded individuals.  Research leaders and leading researchers are both essential for an effective and impactful health and medical research effort.

My focus is on research leaders as I believe insufficient attention has been given to developing and nurturing the research leaders of tomorrow.  I think there is an abundance of aspiring leaders but they need support and encouragement in an increasingly complex and challenging environment.

Professor Fiona Stanley AC is my shining example of a research leader.  I met Fiona back in 2003 when I was President of the Australian Society for Medical Research.  She was Australian of the Year.  I plucked up the courage to ask her for a meeting.  She accepted the request and was more than generous with her time.  After being initially nervous about meeting such an eminent individual, I had a really great time and came away feeling excited, motivated and encouraged.  We kept in touch and Fiona subsequently recruited me over to Perth to work with her.  This was a remarkable experience.  I learnt a huge amount about research from Fiona but I also learnt a lot about people, life and leadership.  Fiona is a person that wraps her arms around you both literally and figuratively.  Her joy and delight in people is very real.  She listens.  Her knowledge of the world is immense.  Her determination to get things done and get them done right is second-to-none.  She has the wickedest and most irreverent sense of humour.  She signs most of her emails off with “Love Fiona” – even emails to politicians and senior bureaucrats.  Swimming is like breathing to her.  If you were in a meeting with her at 12:30 pm – she would get up and begin to prepare to go swimming (i.e. start to dis-robe!).  Fiona is more than her knowledge of research.  You knew when Fiona was in the building wherever you were.  Her aura and her vibe shine very brightly.

Leadership is an attitude which evolves constantly.  You have to want it.  You have to have something there to begin with – values, character, breadth, generosity, vision.  Its comes in all different shapes and sizes and can be outside of the realm of research (eg in community activities, sports etc).

So what is needed to develop leadership?

• A defined peer group is really beneficial. Leadership can be lonely and being able to share experiences and learn from others going through a similar journey is very helpful.
• Mentoring is important – this has to be tailored to fit. I have had many mentors and one of my current mentors is in business and not research.  I think it is important to find someone you trust and respect.  Someone who will challenge your thinking, pose ideas, help make connections.
• Talking to leaders outside of research is so important. Many are more than willing to share their own leadership journey.  Some will resonate and some won’t.  It is the opportunity to reflect and ask questions that helps evolve your own thinking.
• Being given a challenge to work on something (the idea being from you or a group) that is for the benefit of the broader research community is really helpful.
• There are a whole range of skills to be developed – conflict management, communication, financial management etc etc. The list is endless.  A leader never stops learning.

I used to want to be a leader.  I now know that I want to help people be leaders. 

Finding your confidence (“I can do this”)

What is confidence?

Confidence to me is backing yourself.

Confidence is built through trust.  Trust in those around me.  Trust in myself.  Persistence, patience and resilience are also critical.

I went skydiving for the 4th time recently.  I was very excited.  I felt confident.  I had done skydiving with this company before.  I knew that their attention to safety was good, their equipment was good and their guides were awesome.  I knew what was coming.  Sure I was nervous.  But I used those nerves to make sure that I paid attention and listened and was aware of what was happening around me.   It was another great experience and I will do it again.

I believe I am a positive thinker.  Most of the time.

There have been many occasions where I have doubted myself.  Talking in front of large audiences, designing a strategy, delivering on a project, lobbying a key decision maker.  When a project goes off track.  When a key stakeholder is not happy.  When I am not at my best.  And so on…..  This is where persistence and resilience are required.

How do I find my confidence?   Taking time to reflect is always a good thing.  What is the goal? Where are the issues?  Do I have the skills to deliver?  What are the expectations?  Is the team right?

There is no magic “confidence” pill.  But what I generally do is to review and if required re-scope the plan and associated roles and expectations.  If I am not in the drivers seat, then I talk to those who are.  I make sure I have the right tools and the right skills.  I regularly take a good long hard look at my own abilities and where they need developing then I do that.  Reality checks can be very useful.

The research environment is not easy.  Nerves, doubts and fears are normal.  It is also ok if things don’t go exactly to plan or as we would like.  That is how we learn and grow.

Commitment and passion count for a lot.  I love skydiving and I know I can do it.  People ask me whether I will jump solo.  With a few more tandem jumps under my belt – I might.  I am definitely thinking about it but it has to be right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling your skills in the world beyond academia

Way back when – I was a card carrying academic.  My published papers were my pride and joy.  I strived for grant funding.  I sweated those presentations I had to give at scientific conferences.  I knew Western blots and column chromatography – fascinating I know!  There was so much about this that was exciting for me.

I loved my research world but my little corner of it was too small.  I was hungry to have impact on a much bigger scale. How did I solve this dilemma?

It was a process which didn’t happen overnight.  Back in the late 90’s I met a career counselor at an ASMR conference. We connected by phone and email.  I sent her my CV as a first step. She said to me “Moira, if I stuck all the pages of your CV up on the wall 10 metres away from me, I could tell it was an academic CV”!

Her advice was:

• Keep a “master” CV which includes details of everything and should be updated in real time
• Tailor your CV for every application
• Your CV should be no longer than 5 pages
• The front page of your CV should be a snapshot of you, your education and your employment history.  Keep personal details to a minimum (I include mailing address, mobile number and email only).  Include a short snapshot of who you are – 10 lines maximum.    As an example – “Moira Clay is a highly experienced senior executive in the health and medical research sector.  She is a skilled leader, with a flexible and balanced approach to the changing research agenda and a reputation for professionalism and integrity.  An “agent of change” with proven ability to work across the research sector, lead large scale projects, drive positive culture, develop strong networks, work well within a highly skilled and professional team environment, motivate staff and build team spirit”.
• Include 2 pages which expand on your most recent appointments and what your key achievements were in those positions.  Again – this should be tailored each time to ensure relevant skills or achievements are highlighted.
• Include a page which covers professional involvement (including board or council membership) and awards and recognition.
• My wonderful list of published papers had to be reduced to 2 lines………….picture my sobs when the counselor told me that all that anyone outside of academia needed to know was that I could write. I had to balance that with maintaining my credibility of having strong research outputs, so sometimes I included 5 – 10 of my best papers. Similarly, any grants received were reduced to a 3 – 5 lines.
• When I first transitioned out of academic research – page 2 of my CV was a list of my transferable skills.  These are skills that can be applied in other areas.  Believe it or not – an academic researcher with an outstanding ability to do Western blots actually does have a whole range of skills that can be applied in the real world.  Let me explain more.

I always maintain that a PhD is the passport to your future career.  It teaches you to think, question, analyse, design, manage and present.   Project management, research, verbal and written communication, financial (if you’ve had to manage grant funds or negotiate with your financial department then you have financial skills), community involvement (if you have had any dealings with community members involved in your research) and leadership skills were all on my list. Sadly – Western blotting didn’t make the cut…….

This was all good and fine.  But not the complete picture.

There are at least two more things.

1.  Your “why” is absolutely critical.  Simon Sinek did a great TedX talk about how leaders inspire action.  He asks the question – “what is your why?”  My why is that I want to help organisations and individuals in research succeed. Your why will be different.  Think, reflect, look at what is out there and ask the question what drives you.  Mentors can help. Get a journal and use it to reflect on what you want, what you don’t want and who you want in your career.  It took me 25 years to find my why and I suspect that it may evolve with time.  That’s the fun bit.
2. And finally – never forget you.  I am a passionate, enthusiastic person.  Sometimes that can be a little rough around the edges………  that doesn’t matter.  What matters is that you are your authentic self.

It is possible – this does work.  Shortly after talking to the career counselor all those years ago, I was interviewed for the role of National Research Manager for the Heart Foundation.  I convinced them that a post-doctoral researcher of 10 years experience could lead what was then an $8 million grants program.  That was just the beginning.

A career in medical research – academic or alternative?

This year, I celebrate 25 years in medical research.

I did post-doctoral studies in the US for 4 years.  Following that, I worked in a research associate role in Adelaide.  These were 10 good years where I made many friends, traveled extensively in North America, gained a football team (the Adelaide Crows of course) and did well with my science which was basic research on high density lipoprotein (“the good cholesterol”) metabolism.

In the late 1990’s, I became involved in the Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR: http://www.asmr.org.au) which is the professional body for Australian medical researchers.  This unlocked a passion in me for supporting medical research, seeing it achieve impact for community benefit and supporting medical researchers.   I knew I needed to move out of bench research and find a role which would help me support the sector.  I told my boss and he supported me.

Over the next two years, I repaid my bosses generosity by doing high quality, productive research and I applied for many jobs.

Then my dream job came up – national manager of the Heart Foundation research program.  I managed to convince the panel that a bench researcher could manage what was then an $8 million grants program.

Two weeks after I started, the grant round closed for that year and before I knew it I had 12 x copies of 300 + applications for project grant funding sitting on the board room table awaiting peer review.

Reality hit.  I had never worked so hard in my life but at the end of that peer review process I knew those grant applications back to front.  I had every cardiovascular researcher in the country on speed dial.

My move out of academic research – to the “dark side” – had begun.  It was the best decision I had ever made.

I went on to spend 5 years at the Heart Foundation, during which time the program grew by nearly 25%.  I then had a further 8 years working in three of Australia’s premier medical research institute’s in the child health space (Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Children’s Cancer Institute, Telethon Kids Institute) in executive management roles.

Medical research is a sophisticated but challenging area, with increasingly complex health problems to solve.  There are large programs of research, involving government, community, industry, health services and much much more.  Expectations are high but funding is increasingly tight and career pressures are considerable.

I like to think I have what I call a “Malcolm Turnbull attitude” to a career in medical research.  I believe it is an exciting time to be in medical research.  We need to promote medical research as a career and prepare and promote medical research trainees for a broad range of options.   We need people with medical research training in health services, in the community, in policy organisations, in government, in media, in politics and in management.  We need to give people the skills, show them the options and encourage them to pursue their passion.  The potential “value add” this provides in terms of facilitation, workforce development, service delivery and awareness and championing research is considerable.  This will in turn build partnerships with industry and philanthropy which will be critical to sustain a productive and effective medical research sector in the long term.

You might ask what am I doing now?  For the last two years, I have built my own business providing advice and support to medical research institutes, universities, charities and health services on health and medical research strategy.  I have never been so busy.  I am working on some incredible projects with some amazing colleagues.  I am now thinking about and getting advice of my own on business strategy with a view to expansion down the track.  I believe my potential to support the medical research sector and help it achieve impact has increased considerably.

I have been called an expert in “alternative” careers in medical research.  I have never regarded my career as alternative. There is a need for people who know research but who have a different skill set and can value add to research.  It is time to think outside the “traditional” square of academic research.  Despite not being in academic research for over 15 years, I still regard myself very much as a medical researcher.  My friends tell me I behave like a researcher.  I know I think like a researcher.

At the end of the day – I am me.  When I see children, young people and families affected by the impacts of disease – it just increases my resolve.

I will make a difference.