Episode 4: Only Apologize If You’ve Done Something Wrong with Samantha Pulliam

Samantha Pulliam has dedicated her entire career to woman’s health. After a 15-year career in academic medicine she is currently the Chief Medical Officer at Renovia Inc., a digital health start-up located in the Boston area. She is also a renowned doctor in the emerging field of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery.

Entrepreneurial Leadership in Covid-19

o From medical doctor to Chief Medical Officer at a MedTech start-up @3:17

o Conducting clinical research with integrity while facing financial pressures during Covid @6:30, 8:51, 12:06

o Collaborating with clinicians and researchers to innovatively conduct research @13:16

Developing Personal Assessment Tools

o Develop personal internal assessment tools @20:22

o Determine what’s your contribution and what’s beyond your control @18:41

o Your ego or sense of self-worth can’t be on the line with every single interaction @27:07

o Seeing things as an experiment makes problem solving easier @26:42

o Learn to think independently while dealing with a difficult “boss” @14:47

o Being new at work and tuning into and navigating new situations @17:01

o Continuously refine your vision of what you want to do @21:04

Don’t Say I’m Sorry

o Unlearn the apology reflex – especially for women @19:02

o Only apologize if you’ve done something wrong @32:20

o If you are driven solely by an innate desire to please people you're really at risk @20:03

Leadership as an introvert, a woman and a lesbian 

o The challenges of being an introvert and pursuing a career that requires some extroversion @21:43

o Just because you don't see the glass ceiling, doesn't mean it isn’t there @23:09

o Don’t assume your own skillset and giftedness will push you through the glass ceiling @29:13

o The glass ceiling is closely tied to networking; women should focus on developing their own networks and to push each other to grow and get promoted @27:54

o If you’re the only woman in the room, focus on the opportunity to provide a different perspective @24:04

o How being a lesbian has influenced Mandy’s leadership @29:49

To learn more about my work in executive coaching, leadership development and team effectiveness check out my website, connect with me on LinkedIn or email me at winnie@winnifred.org.

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I look forward to sharing another transformative conversation with you next week!