Nikki Goesling

Really what we talked about - having integrity and being very open and honest, wherever you are in your career, and transparent. I think the difference for me has always been that if I'm asked for an opinion, I don't try to give a politically correct answer. I say it with kindness and integrity, but I give an opinion. I have an opinion. I have a recommendation. And I think people really appreciate that. So I think that's been a difference maker, having the confidence to say, this is the way I see that, this is my opinion, this is my recommendation based on the years of experience. And just having a real collaborative spirit with everyone. So, I think collaboration, mentorship, honesty, integrity - those are the things. And you do that together, usually. It's never usually one great idea. It's usually we're talking it through, and between all the experience and the diversity in the room, you can come up with a plan. And look, if the plan doesn't work, you just pivot.

I think resiliency is so important. Knowledge is the gateway to power, so being very knowledgeable - don't cut corners there. You know, understand your product, understand the business. If you don't get help, most scientists or pharmacists that are employed by the organization are more than willing to spend some time with you, meeting and breaking it down. So I don't think you should ever feel like you need to know it all, especially in this - science changes every day. And so, just being very open with your knowledge gaps and working with mentors and those that do know to be very knowledgeable, because that is the kind of thing that can stop you in your career tracks if healthcare providers feel like you don't have a pretty good grasp on what you're doing, and or aren't willing to say, hey, I'm not sure, but I know people who know.

You absolutely have to make time for yourself. Block your calendar and don't work through lunch - there's no medals for that. Go for a walk. Making sure you take care of yourself physically is so important, especially in this day and age of Zoom culture where they can get you anytime, anywhere. You've got to carve that out, or you're not going to be good to anyone. And then, having those people in your life that you can do those things with, like whether it's Mahjong, or just something else besides the pursuit of our careers is so important. It is so hard and it's a daily struggle, but it's so important. I think, too, keeping yourself challenged will help as well, because whether that's through a little internship at the organization to just learn a new skill or get visibility in another role, I think that helps as well.