Vanessa Broadhurst
President
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
On being a mother of two. My advice for my daughters - eight-year-old Sinclare and three-year-old Rylan - is that they keep learning and do something that makes them happy. It’s much easier to succeed if you do what you love. I define success not as having the most money or the biggest house, but as enjoying life.
On what she'd say to her younger self. I’d tell her to relax. At the end of the day, all of our experiences are valuable. They become like a patchwork quilt—no one patch is going to make or break you. Try to enjoy the ride, don’t stress yourself out, and have some fun.
On wisdom. Maintain a positive attitude even in difficult situations. What I’ve seen in my career is that you’re not always going to be in control of what happens to you, but you’re always one hundred percent in control of your attitude, and that's what people notice. Positivity is infectious and helps people to succeed.
Stay Authentic Under Stress
May 2012
Our lives are complex and as career women, conflict and stress can be regular occurrences. It's how we deal with these challenges that often distinguishes us from our coworkers and singles us out for coveted assignments. As a seasoned leader, Vanessa offers suggestions for staying true to yourself while taking into account the needs of others.
Honor Yourself and Others
Authenticity is being able to expose your "real" self. That doesn’t mean letting it all hang out—rather, it deals with recognizing that we all have our strengths and weaknesses, and we each bring different things to the table. For example, if one person is great at coming up with big ideas, someone else could be excellent at bringing people together and implementing those ideas. It’s important to come to work as we are and embrace the differences in people.
Be Trustful
Building trust and accountability within a business is crucial. Do people trust you? Can they trust what you say? Can they trust that in difficult times and situations you will react in an appropriate manner? You should be transparent—mean what you say, whether you're in front of others or behind closed doors.
Divert the Focus
When dealing with a difficult situation, take the focus off of yourself. Strive to understand the other person’s position and why they hold it. Think not only about your own concerns, but also about theirs and how you might address them. Listening to another person is crucial. If people feel that you’re really hearing them, finding a solution will be much easier.
It’s helpful to use this practice not only with coworkers, but with consumers as well. Most companies have a mission and a purpose. If you’re able to keep your focus on the foundation of the business, you’ll be able to maintain authenticity under pressure.
Make an Impact
A rigid company culture can make for a difficult situation. Evolving the company culture is easier said than done and won’t happen overnight, but you can attempt to be a part of the solution. Find a champion in the organization—somebody who can support you in identifying small, strategic changes. If you start with little missions, others will begin to modify their mindset around what is permissible.
Know the Politics
Understand what works in a given organization. People sometimes discuss meetings after the meetings themselves, creating a second window in which the decisions are really made. You need to know who the decision makers are. If you’re going to approach them about a specific situation, make sure you’ve prepared answers to all of their questions.
Pick Your Battles
Sometimes you have to choose your issues and let certain things resolve themselves. You can’t jump in everywhere. Make sure the environment that’s being created is one in which people can stretch and have the freedom to do great things. Your support can help others avoid catastrophic mistakes.
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Strategy For Success: Make a Real Impact