As an educator and leader in clinical and translational research at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Fadia Tohme Shaya has high standards for her own professional education and development. So it's not surprising that she looked to HBS when she wanted to find a program that would challenge her thinking and maximize her leadership skills. In this interview, she discusses her experience in The Women's Leadership Forum.
Why did you choose to attend this program?
I was looking for a catalyst that would help me step up my leadership skills, mentor new generations, and prepare for the next expansion phase of my career. What I found was all that and more. It was an accelerator! In pharmacy and other health related disciplines, we have myriad opportunities for the advancement of science with new technologies, innovation and entrepreneurship, but we have to stay ahead with our leadership skills, and learn how to 'spread the wealth'. This program has an excellent reputation, and it seemed to offer a comprehensive experience that would broaden my mind and build life-long connections.
What surprised you most about the on-campus learning experience?
There were many pleasant surprises. First, the welcoming process and the living and academic facilities far exceeded my expectations. Then I was surprised by how ready everyone was to share their experiences–it was so collaborative. Within a few days, people from all over the world had bonded as a large group and, more specifically, within the board of advisors. It was amazing how a group of people who had never met before could quickly relate to one another and have such a positive impact on each other's approach to professional and personal development. So many of the issues we face are the same. My fellow advisors had excellent advice for me that still resonates, and I hope I was able to do the same for them. We continue to keep in touch and check on one another from different parts of the globe. What a gift!
How did the faculty and your fellow participants contribute to the learning experience?
The staff was so responsive and supportive all along, from the application stage through completion. I cannot overstate their impact on the experience. Also, the director of the program was always present and available, and that provided great continuity across the content and cultivated an environment of trust. The faculty were extremely engaged and available for further discussions. It was obvious how passionate they are about their subject, and the real-life experience they brought to the classroom engaged everyone. Beyond that, the program was extraordinary because of the group dynamics, the cases, the classroom discussions, the living groups that offered opportunities to mingle with other living groups, the locale and setting, the dining halls, and more. All of these features gave us the chance to interact with many peers, including those in other programs that were running concurrently, and most importantly, with the board of advisors.
Overall, the experience was fully immersive. The program was transformative beyond just the time spent discussing cases, which in itself was extremely thought provoking and stimulating and provided the backbone of the learning experience.
How will you integrate what you learned into your organization and your day-to-day work?
I'm already integrating what I learned, day to day, and in all my multi-disciplinary collaborations. One thing I particularly liked was that participants recorded three take-aways after each session, and at the end everyone received a full report on all of the lessons learned. I often use this document as a tangible reminder. I also find that I refer to the program's cases when deciding how to handle various situations.
The program helped me identify and address personal blind spots and taught me how to develop talent and leadership qualities in others. I learned how to be more effective at leading my organization to strive for innovation, quickly identify and capture new opportunities, and build strategic advantage. Also, I have integrated some key lessons I learned: be flexible, stay relevant, manage up and manage down, think outside the typical paradigms, and–most relevant to this day and age: build a global network, and nurture relationships. In my business, pharmaceutical clinical and translational research and services, we have to constantly adapt to a rapidly changing environment while staying abreast of the latest science developments, developing multi-disciplinary and diverse teams, and leveraging the most agile digital technologies, all while building and managing human physical and emotional capital. Mentoring the next generation of a diverse workforce is critical.
What are you most looking forward to when you come back to campus?
I'm looking forward to interacting more with the faculty and staff around topic areas and forming longer-term collaborations. Based on the national and global networks established in the program, I am excited to translate new skills into new initiatives in the public-private field.