Frances Bell’s Blog

http://www.knowandnetwork.org/francesbell/weblog/56.html

Louise Makin started this session with her story of career development in high technology businesses, working in large organisations to her current position as CEO of BTG plc, that develops novel pharmaceuticals and medical technologies.� She spoke of the challenge of leading groups of technologists, and how to get the best out of them, reconciling language and ‘cultural’ differences between, say, engineers and business developers and customers. ‘Hopes and fears’ conversations are where scientists and engineers can speak about things about which they have a hunch rather than a certainty - to surface risks and opportunities.� She had tips about communicating with everyone in the organisation ‘asking everyone the same question’ and ‘making it safe for people to answer’.

She told stories to demonstrate ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ behaviours relating to:

• internalising/ externalising success
• speaking to gain power or establish rapport
• with whom you share things and why

Louise recommended talking about fears and problems with supportive friends (rather than your boss!) whihc is good news for Know and Network.]]>