Generated by All in One SEO v5.0.0.1, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Still Point Coaching & Consulting Scientists at their Best ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Blog](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/blog/) - [Probe Your History to Improve Your Research](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/probe-your-history-to-improve-your-research/) - For many of us, planning begins by examining what we are working on, thinking about next steps, and maybe imagining an unanswered question from the literature that we can now address. However, one of my most productive clients takes a different tact. When considering where to go with his work, he has the habit of - [Grooming the Research Scientist as the PI’s COO](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/grooming-the-research-scientist-as-the-pis-coo/) - If your lab has more than 5-6 people, you are probably missing a very important person. Given the growth in administrative, managerial and financial responsibilities for PIs, some are realizing that they should have a good second in command in their lab — not a lab manager, but a research-administrator who can do their own - [Why Are Your Lab Members So Slow?](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/why-are-your-lab-members-so-slow/) - One of the hardest problems that PIs contend with is the lab member who is inexplicably slow. Experiments don’t seem to get done at all, or they get done one at a time when there is time to run them in parallel. Before you give up or force them to leave, you should determine whether - [Promotion and Tenure Procedures: Stop Keeping Faculty in the Dark](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/promotion-and-tenure-procedures-stop-keeping-faculty-in-the-dark/) - A number of my clients are now going through the process of promotion or tenure evaluation. None of these faculty understand the specifics about the process. Yes, they know about the general procedures, but in every case the timing and the details of each step are not clear. I can understand why a certain amount - [Why Scientific Training Urgently Needs Reform](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/graduate-and-postgraduate-scientific-training-needs-urgent-reform/) - PhD degrees were originally granted to train students to conduct research in a specific field of study. Postdoctoral fellowships were instituted to help the PhD graduate go deeper into an area of research, under the mentorship of a senior investigator. In life and biomedical science, universities and medical schools considered their job done when competent, - [Is Your Lab Filled with Students or Scholars?](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/is-your-lab-filled-with-students-or-scholars/) - If you are the PI of a research lab, you probably have one or more people in your lab who want to be PIs but will never make it. Whether they are PhD candidates or postdocs, they don't have what it takes, even though you may not be able to put your finger on what - [Cognitive Bias: A Follow-Up](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/cognitive-bias-a-follow-up/) - My last post described the problem of cognitive bias on a personal level, especially with respect to self-esteem issues that can be countered with cognitive behavioral techniques. However, there are a number of general cognitive biases that distort our judgments and decisions. Some of these biases are so deeply ingrained in our culture that we - [For Better Decisions, Counter Cognitive Bias](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/for-better-decisions-counter-cognitive-bias/) - In my last post, I encouraged scientists to trust their gut instincts more when making certain types of decisions, for example those involving leading and managing other people. However, while intuitions can work well when evaluating others, they can be misleading when evaluating one’s self. Some innate cognitive biases prevent us from forming a clear - [In Defense of Gut Feelings](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/in-defense-of-gut-feelings/) - When young scientists are starting to build their careers, they are usually advised to seek a mentor. A good mentor can help in many ways. However, they can’t impart some of the essentials that young investigators may need the most, especially the skills used to identify and work successfully with talented people. Fortunately, we have - [Elements of Great Scientific Leadership](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/elements-of-great-scientific-leadership/) - When I was speaking about leadership virtues to a group of junior researchers at a leading pharma company, audience members raised examples of eminent scientists who were abusive, dishonest, manipulative or simply absent from the laboratory. How did these people get into positions of leadership and get their labs to do world class research? The - [What Does a Great Leader/Manager Look Like?](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/what-does-a-great-leadermanager-look-like/) - It's hard to develop your leadership and management skills in science if you have never seen what a good leader looks like. In my coaching with scientist clients who have worked under very accomplished PIs, I hear them talk about leadership and management styles that are clearly dysfunctional and destructive. It's all too easy to - [Can't Change Your Ways? Try This](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/cant-change-your-ways-try-this/) - Why is it so hard to change? We all want to do it, once we feel that discomfort between where we are in life and where we want to be. Sure, there are plenty of people out there who say they can help you. Psychologists, psychiatrists, New Age gurus, consultants and coaches tap into this - [Be Careful What You Wish For](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/be-careful-what-you-wish-for/) - If coaching is all about helping you discover and achieve a better life at work and home, then trusting your dreams would seem to be terribly important. Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert has some eye-popping news for people who believe they know what will make them happy. In his new book Stumbling on Happiness, Gilbert uses - [Another Explanation of the Science Gender Gap](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/another-explanation-of-the-science-gender-gap/) - The Boston Globe recently published an interesting article that provides a common sense account of why more women don't go into science: they don't want to. Quoting several social scientific studies and interviews with their authors, the writer claims that the gender gap in science is greater in countries where women have more rights and - [The Right Stuff for Scientists: Courage and Property](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/the-right-stuff-for-scientists-courage-and-property/) - One little secret, for young scientists who haven't discovered it yet: the most accomplished scientists are not necessarily the brightest people in the field. Creativity and dogged determination are important, but two qualities also distinguish great researchers -- courage, and the ability to claim ownership of one's domain of expertise.The courage to fail, and the - [Treating Myopia](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/treating-myopia/) - Myopia is a condition of attention and concentration. The mind naturally defends itself and its interests. Long before and after Freud observed (invented) the Ego, it's has been well known that we mediate between what we really want to do and what we think we can get away without shame or punishment. Given all this - [If Scientists Wrote Like Journalists](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/if-scientists-wrote-like-journalists/) - Everybody loves a story, and scientists are no exception. When working with young scientists, it is wonderful to witness when someone stops thinking of their papers as tabulations of results and starts thinking in terms of stories. Yes, there is a standard format for writing research papers which seems cold and dry, emphasizing clarity over - [If Journalists Wrote Like Scientists](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/if-journalists-wrote-like-scientists/) - Writing about scientific issues has improved dramatically in print and electronic media over the past decade. Part of this may be due to sustained efforts by scientists to insist upon accuracy and to complain when journalists get the science wrong. In addition, more and more people with scientific backgrounds are choosing to become journalists.It's striking - [The Sorry State of Coaching](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/the-sorry-state-of-coaching/) - Sadly, there is no science of coaching. Professional coaching at its best is largely based on rules of thumb, heuristics, trial and error, a limited amount of psychology, a bit of wisdom and a dash of hope. Coaching is the proper domain of empirical psychology. The field must move towards relying on empirically validated methods ## Pages - [Welcome to Still Point Coaching & Consulting!](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/) - We help successful scientists excel in their careers. Clients improve Leadership, Management, Publishing, Funding, and Political skills. - [Contact Us](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/contact-us/) - [What Clients Say](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/testimonials/) - “Chris has made great contributions to my productivity as well as the overall productivity of my lab over the past twelve years. His consulting on both tactical and strategic matters can make a significant difference in a scientist’s career. I heartily recommend him.” —David C. Page, MD, former President/Director, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research (MIT). - [Who We Are](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/about-us/) - We offer an eclectic approach to help our clients set and achieve their goals, using proven strategies drawn from the fields of executive coaching, consulting, and training. To plan and successfully execute major improvements in your career, you need a keen sense of where you want to go and an accurate understanding of your current - [People Like You...](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/next-move-2/) - Our best clients are already highly successful, but they seek an even greater level of excellence for themselves, their institutions, or their personnel. Let us show you how we have helped others like you succeed in their objectives. Read about how our services empower academic researchers, career changers, institute heads and deans, pharma communicators and - [Services](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/services/) - Our mission is simple: help scientists to be their best in all aspects of their careers. Medical schools, universities, and companies contract us to help their researchers upgrade their skills in all areas of their professional lives except actual bench research. Individual scientists also hire us when they want to enhance their performance in their - [Writing & Speaking Programs](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/services/writing-speaking-programs/) - Good writing and speaking skills are essential tools for advancing a scientific career, yet researchers rarely receive proper training. We’re fixing that. The communications experts at Still Point enable our clients to write and present their work more effectively and efficiently: in reports, journal articles, applications for grants and other funding, and scientific meetings. Our - [Leadership & Management Programs](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/services/leadership-management-programs/) - Our programs focus on two areas of professional development: scientific communications and leadership/management. We conduct seminars, workshops, training programs and one-to-one coaching to help researchers quickly gain the skills they need to succeed. Leadership and Management Training for Scientists Accomplished scientists often leave the bench early in their careers to head labs, research departments or - [Writing & Editing Services](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/services/writing-editing-services/) - We understand the life and biomedical sciences, the scientific community, and how good research can attract substantial funding. That’s why companies and academic centers come to us to when they need to tell a compelling story of their vision, strengths and plans. We will help your science get attention at the highest levels: in research - [Pharma Lab Leaders](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/next-move-2/pharma-lab-leaders/) - Why do research executives in pharma companies seek us out? We help them turn their visions into reality by strengthening their leadership, teambuilding and management skills. Scientific leaders don’t always have the people skills to match their research and analytical talents. Our programs help them to be more efficient and effective in directing people as - [Pharma Communicators](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/next-move-2/pharma-communicators/) - Whether you work in a pharmaceutical company, biotechnology firm or research institute, you know the power of your scientific knowledge in the laboratory. To fully harness that power and attract supporters, innovators, and collaborators, you need to give your scientific achievements the strongest possible voice. The Science Communications Practice at Still Point Coaching and Consulting - [Institute Heads and Deans](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/next-move-2/institute-heads-and-deans/) - We help strong academic leaders become truly great leaders. We help colleges and universities communicate their strengths and strategies to philanthropists, large granting agencies, academia and the public We’re Still Point Coaching and Consulting, and we’re here to help you. Executive coaching services for administrators Coaching services for scientific leaders and lab directors Editing and - [Coaching](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/services/coaching/) - If you want to perform at your best, with greater creativity and productivity, we can help. If we choose to work together, how will you benefit? Significant improvement in your work life, including greater productivity, better management of self and others, and more persuasive communication at all levels A better understanding of your strengths and - [Career Changers](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/next-move-2/career-changers/) - What Got You Here Won’t Get You There. Each time you take a new position, you need new goals, strategies and skills to help you navigate. And you need to shape the position to meet your needs and the diverse needs of your team. We prepare leading scientists and executives for Promotions Great career changes - [Academic Researchers](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/next-move-2/academic-researchers/) - Successful scientists must be able to publish, give presentations, write NIH grants, plan their research and manage their labs effectively and ethically. Yet little of this is taught as part of your scientific education. If you want to achieve your very best professionally, you have come to the right place. Whether coaching individual research leaders - [Case Studies](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/case-studies/) - Coaching Case Studies Coaching a Research Leader to Manage and Publish More Effectively Still Point was called in to work with a young laboratory leader who had a backlog of papers to publish. In working with the scientist, it was determined that papers weren’t being written, in part, because lab members weren’t being managed and - [Consulting](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/services/consulting-services/) - We help clients communicate their progress to investors, donors, granting agencies, collaborators and the scientific community. Pharmaceutical companies, universities, medical schools and biotech startups come to us for one reason: we have a track record for helping clients discover, develop and articulate the messages that earn attention and confidence from funding sources. First, we listen - [About Chris Edwards](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/about/) - Founder of Still Point Coaching and Consulting. Executive and career coach to leading scientists (and those who want to be). Founding Editor of Bio/Technology, now called Nature Biotechnology. Strategic communications and management consultant to biopharma companies, academic laboratories, and university administrations. You can find out more about his work at www.stillpointcoaching.com. ## Categories - [Administration](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/category/administration/) - [Biotech](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/category/biotech/) - [Careers](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/category/careers/) - [Coaching](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/category/coaching/) - [Consulting](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/category/consulting/) - [Education](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/category/education/) - [Leadership](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/category/leadership/) - [Productivity](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/category/productivity/) - [Publishing](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/category/publishing/) - [Scientists](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/category/scientists/) - [Tenure and Promotion](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/category/careers/promotion/) - Faculty tenure and promotion issues. - [Writing](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/category/writing/) ## Tags - [career development](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/tag/career-development/) - [Careers](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/tag/careers/) - [intuition](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/tag/intuition/) - [lab management](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/tag/lab-management/) - [Management](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/tag/management/) - [ownership](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/tag/ownership/) - [postdocs](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/tag/postdocs/) - [productivity](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/tag/productivity-2/) - [Scientists](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/tag/scientists/) - [social intelligence](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/tag/social-intelligence/) - [success](https://www.stillpointcoaching.com/tag/success/)