In this issue...

Feature Article
How to Manage Your Manager 
By Karen Wagner

Women Transforming Culture
How They Do It:
Leading a Research Team
By Natalia Nieto

Cultural Corner
Cinema Forum: Critique & Discussion
By Martha Swanzey

News, Recent and Upcoming Events

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Spring 2010 Newsletter

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Murray Hill Institute Newsletter
Spring 2010
Volume 7 No. 2

WOMEN TRANSFORMING CULTURE
How They Do It: Leading a Research Team
By Natalia Nieto

When I began my role as the principal investigator of a biomedical research laboratory, I was challenged to manage my team of research fellows in a way that would develop their individual talents while bringing our research goals forward.  Thinking like a leader in providing ”vision for the mission” instead of thinking like a manager has been instrumental in developing a working strategy that could benefit each individual as well as the team as a whole. In doing so, I have also learned to lead by thinking strategically about how they can build their future careers by working closely with them on a daily basis. In order to bring out the best in each fellow, I try to motivate them to be creative, to take risks while being innovative, and to be authentic leaders of their own research projects. I have encouraged them to develop their own style, to generate passion for science, and to show their identity and their character when taking over scientific projects.

The qualities that I promote in my lab are:

• Reasoning: using data and logic to encourage thinking

• Reciprocity: exchanging tangible resources, data, and ideas

• Retribution: acknowledging efforts and results

• Coalition: getting support from others

• Promotion of loyalty, reciprocity, and trust

• Rewarding: Increasing people’s visibility

• Developing a network of connections to branch out

As the principal investigator of the group I endorse their ideas, and serve as a facilitator to put them into practice. I encourage their intellectual work, challenging them by means of formulating questions to trigger curiosity and thus study so that they can find answers to move forward in our research at a good pace. Although at times it is not easy to create a framework for thinking and performing effectively, through teamwork and constant study and discussion, we have succeeded in aligning people with their projects.  Above all, we try to promote a culture where goals are important, but grand vision and clear strategic lines are critical. At the same time, we never lose sight of the idea that individuals are more important than strategic plans.

Natalia Nieto is an Associate Professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Do you have an experience you would like to share about changing the culture in your workplace?  Email us at info@murrayhillinstitute.org