Scientific Leadership Blog

by Rachel Kindt, Ph.D.

I’m Rachel Kindt, Ph.D., and I write about leadership, the power of self-awareness, and how to fuel your career growth with experimentation.
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Most Recent

cheese shop

How Experimenting in a Foreign Language Taught Me Intelligent Risk-Taking

rachel_kindt_blog

How Leaders Communicate to Get Things Done and Make an Impact

IMG_8503 2

Why Behave Like There’s All The Time in the World, Even When There’s Not

chain gear

Why Leaders Should Explain the Why

Unfinished,White,Jigsaw,Puzzle,Pieces,On,Blue,Background

Unraveling the Promotion Puzzle: How to Take the Next Step

grip

How Leaders Can Let Go a Little to Accomplish a Lot

ripple effects

How a Powerful Question Can Get You Unstuck

reflection

What Effective Leaders Always Do Before Responding to a Challenge

fork in path

The Surprising Decision Factor that Launched a Career, and How You Can Use It Too

tree sprout

Why Personal Growth is Too Important to be Left to Chance

Two,Hands,Trying,To,Connect,Couple,Puzzle,Piece,With,Sunset

Why the “Golden Rule” Isn’t Great for Effective Communication

inoor bike

How Knowing What You DON’T Like Can Be a Powerful Driver of Change

All-time Favorites

Blogs5

Why Managing Your Manager Is a Career Superpower

Multicoloured Muskoka Cottage Beach chairs on the sand looking out to the harbor

Leading From Any Seat: Unlocking Leadership at Every Level

career_development

The Science of Success: How Scientists Can Use Experimentation to Build a Thriving Career

project management skills

From Knowledge to People: The Dynamic Shift That Will Catalyze Your Career

playing_poker

Beyond the Cards: A Poker-Inspired Lesson on Team Meeting Engagement

strategic_thinking

Strategizing for Success: Easy Steps to Cultivate Strategic Thinking

blog 1

Everything You Never Learned About Having a Science Career

Two,Hands,Trying,To,Connect,Couple,Puzzle,Piece,With,Sunset

Why the “Golden Rule” Isn’t Great for Effective Communication

blog5

Try Failures, with a Small “f”

business ladder

The Shift from Expert to Leader: What a Modern-Day Fable Teaches Us

Leadership

Blogs

When Leaders Should Tell Instead of Show

ship_sunset

Beyond Facts: Sailing the Vast Ocean of Leadership with Stories

rowing

Gaining Perspective from the Middle Seat: How Leaders Can Benefit from Following for a Change

kimberly-farmer-lUaaKCUANVI-unsplash

Invitational Leadership: Engaging Your Team Beyond Directives

chain gear

Why Leaders Should Explain the Why

Rachel-Kindt-Blog-imagery-4

Turning Tides: How Challenging Times Can Be Stepping Stones to Progress

Loaded,Container,Freighter,Ship,Sailing,In,Stormy,Ocean,With,Tall

Steering the Ship: How Biotech Leaders Can Navigate Setbacks & Keep Momentum

reflection

What Effective Leaders Always Do Before Responding to a Challenge

IMG_8503 2

Why Behave Like There’s All The Time in the World, Even When There’s Not

funny_cat_working

How Leaders Can Harness the Power of Humor in the Workplace

shutterstock_1216635082

The Two Magic Words That Leaders – And Everyone – Should Use More Often

rachel_kindt_blog

How Leaders Communicate to Get Things Done and Make an Impact

Career Growth

Blogs5

Why Managing Your Manager Is a Career Superpower

strategic_thinking

Strategizing for Success: Easy Steps to Cultivate Strategic Thinking

performance_review

What I Learned By Giving Myself a Performance Review

restaurant

From Postdoc to Now: Three Career Lessons I Would Share with My Younger Self

fork in path

The Surprising Decision Factor that Launched a Career, and How You Can Use It Too

Unfinished,White,Jigsaw,Puzzle,Pieces,On,Blue,Background

Unraveling the Promotion Puzzle: How to Take the Next Step

career_development

The Science of Success: How Scientists Can Use Experimentation to Build a Thriving Career

Creative,Chemistry,Hologram,On,Presentation,Monitor,In,A,Modern,Boardroom,

Beyond the PhD: Adapting Academic Skills for Real-World Success

experiment_change

How to Harness the Power of Experimentation for Personal & Career Growth

productive_promotion_conversation

Promotions: Not About Walking on Water, But Having a Productive Conversation

blog5

Try Failures, with a Small “f”

tree sprout

Why Personal Growth is Too Important to be Left to Chance

Self Awareness

being_fully_present

The Subtle Skill of Being Fully Present: Why Truly Embracing the Moment Matters

rachel_in_woods

How a New England Road Trip Taught Me to Embrace the Unexpected

IMG_9229

The Unexpected Rewards of Becoming a Certified Integral Coach

blog5

Try Failures, with a Small “f”

Empty,Parking,Lot,On,Blue,Sky,Background

The Power of Asking: How a Parking Lot Became My Negotiation Playground

blog3

Ask Yourself, “What Went Well?”​

solo_retreat

Embracing Change: What My Annual Solo Retreat in Sonoma Taught Me

parasailing

The Sky’s The Limit: A Parasailing Metaphor for the Solopreneur Journey

front porch

Taking the Leap: How I’m Overcoming Perfectionism in my Solopreneur Journey

celebrating_small_wins

Celebrate the Little Things: Why Recognizing Small Wins is Important

performance_review

What I Learned By Giving Myself a Performance Review

blog4

How To Be a Better Manager … Of Yourself

Managing Others

overplanning

Elevating Offsite Meetings: The Key to Avoiding Overambitious Planning

women-1178187_1280

Shared Expectations: Why Training Managers and Managees Together is a Game-Changer

Businesswoman under laptop in rain

When Your Good Manager Behaves Badly

blog4

How To Be a Better Manager … Of Yourself

shutterstock_340849505

Navigating Communication With Managers: What We Can Learn from the Highway

managing_manager

Maximizing Meetings: How a Simple Agenda Can Transform Manager-Managee Interactions

manager-relationship

Managing Your Manager: 3 Tips to Cultivate a Positive & Effective Relationship

Blogs5

Why Managing Your Manager Is a Career Superpower

performance_review

Clear is Kind: How Being Straightforward in Performance Reviews Make You a Better Manager

performance_review

Meaningful Performance Reviews: What I Learned from Managing Myself

rachel_kindt_blog

How Leaders Communicate to Get Things Done and Make an Impact

Effective Communication

shutterstock_340849505

Navigating Communication With Managers: What We Can Learn from the Highway

smartest_person_in_room

The Art of Not Always Being the Smartest Person in the Room

Rachel Kindt Blog imagery (1)

What a Science Fiction Novel Taught Me About Leadership Communication

Turning Data into Dialogue: Effectively Communicating the Scientific Impact

Female,Pickleball,Player,Hitting,The,Ball,With,Her,Paddle

Data Volley: The Secret to Handling Unexpected Questions at Work

Barbie_boardroom

Daring to Challenge: The Surprising Meeting Management Lesson from the Making of “Barbie”

rachel_kindt_blog

How Leaders Communicate to Get Things Done and Make an Impact

IMG_7356

Lost in Translation: How to Clearly Convey Technical Expertise to a Non-Technical Audience

over_explaining

Getting to the Point: Breaking the Habit of Over-Explanation

IMG_8503 2

Mastering Conversations: The Difference Between Waiting to Speak & Active Listening

Two,Hands,Trying,To,Connect,Couple,Puzzle,Piece,With,Sunset

Why the “Golden Rule” Isn’t Great for Effective Communication

Daily Work Inspiration

strategic_thinking

Strategic Thinking Made Simple: How to Connect the Dots to See the Bigger Picture

balloons

What Delights You at Work? (And Why It Matters)

Barbie_boardroom

Daring to Challenge: The Surprising Meeting Management Lesson from the Making of “Barbie”

fruity_cocktail

Fruitful Feedback: The Art of Savoring & Making the Most of Critiques

change_of_scenery

How A Change of Scenery Ignited My Productivity

Calendar-management

Mastering Calendar Control: Redefining Your Time & Value

coffee_cupboard

How a Quinoa Conundrum Put Me on a Quest for a Balanced Schedule

strategic_thinking

Strategizing for Success: Easy Steps to Cultivate Strategic Thinking

managing_manager

Maximizing Meetings: How a Simple Agenda Can Transform Manager-Managee Interactions

playing_poker

Beyond the Cards: A Poker-Inspired Lesson on Team Meeting Engagement

creativity in biotech

Unlocking Creativity: The Undervalued Superpower in the Biotech Industry

making_boundaries

The Balancing Act: Boundaries & Requests in Harmony

Quote-open

My life is my lab.

- Sam Horn

Quote-close

Index

How Experimenting in a Foreign Language Taught Me Intelligent Risk-Taking

How Leaders Communicate to Get Things Done and Make an Impact

Why Behave Like There’s All The Time in the World, Even When There’s Not

Why Leaders Should Explain the Why

Unraveling the Promotion Puzzle: How to Take the Next Step

How Leaders Can Let Go a Little to Accomplish a Lot

How a Powerful Question Can Get You Unstuck

What Effective Leaders Always Do Before Responding to a Challenge

The Surprising Decision Factor that Launched a Career, and How You Can Use It Too

Why Personal Growth is Too Important to be Left to Chance

Why the “Golden Rule” Isn’t Great for Effective Communication

How Knowing What You DON’T Like Can Be a Powerful Driver of Change

Are You Showing Up as Your “Stress Self” or Your Best Self Today?

What I Learned About Leading Courageously When a Trip Took an Unexpected Turn

What a Science Fiction Novel Taught Me About Leadership Communication

The Shift from Expert to Leader: What a Modern-Day Fable Teaches Us

The World Doesn’t Need Another Leadership Model (But I Made One Anyway)

What Delights You at Work? (And Why It Matters)

Mastering Conversations: The Difference Between Waiting to Speak & Active Listening

Transforming Stagnation into Growth: How Uncertain Times Can Spark Personal Development

Invitational Leadership: Engaging Your Team Beyond Directives

Strategic Thinking Made Simple: How to Connect the Dots to See the Bigger Picture

The Power of Asking: How a Parking Lot Became My Negotiation Playground

The Balancing Act: Boundaries & Requests in Harmony

Turning Data into Dialogue: Effectively Communicating the Scientific Impact

Gaining Perspective from the Middle Seat: How Leaders Can Benefit from Following for a Change

Data Volley: The Secret to Handling Unexpected Questions at Work

Leading From Any Seat: Unlocking Leadership at Every Level

The Underestimated Power of Rest in the Biotech Industry

Surrendering to the Flow: How a Day on the River Changed My Perspective

The Surprising Benefit of Going Beyond Your Strengths

Beyond Facts: Sailing the Vast Ocean of Leadership with Stories

When Asking Pays Off: The Surprising Benefits of Making a Request

Steering the Ship: How Biotech Leaders Can Navigate Setbacks & Keep Momentum

Beyond the PhD: Adapting Academic Skills for Real-World Success

Shared Expectations: Why Training Managers and Managees Together is a Game-Changer

Fruitful Feedback: The Art of Savoring & Making the Most of Critiques

The Unexpected Rewards of Becoming a Certified Integral Coach

Taking the Leap: How I’m Overcoming Perfectionism in my Solopreneur Journey

Three Characteristics of a Good Scientific Leader

Taking Charge of Your Inner Critic…Committee

How Leaders Can Harness the Power of Humor in the Workplace

Promotions: Not About Walking on Water, But Having a Productive Conversation

Unlocking Creativity: The Undervalued Superpower in the Biotech Industry

Navigating Communication With Managers: What We Can Learn from the Highway

Elevating Offsite Meetings: The Key to Avoiding Overambitious Planning

Managing Your Manager: 3 Tips to Cultivate a Positive & Effective Relationship

The Art of Not Always Being the Smartest Person in the Room

Gut Check: Why Your Belly Might Just Be the Best Brain You Have

Expanding Gratitude & Giving Thanks to Unlikely Recipients

Lost in Translation: How to Clearly Convey Technical Expertise to a Non-Technical Audience

The Subtle Skill of Being Fully Present: Why Truly Embracing the Moment Matters

When Leaders Should Tell Instead of Show

Clear is Kind: How Being Straightforward in Performance Reviews Make You a Better Manager

Embracing the Unsettling Truth of Learning: It’s Okay to Lose (Something) While Gaining Experience

How to Harness the Power of Experimentation for Personal & Career Growth

Turning Tides: How Challenging Times Can Be Stepping Stones to Progress

From Rowing Machine to LinkedIn Posts: The Power of Tracking Progress in Small Steps

Strategizing for Success: Easy Steps to Cultivate Strategic Thinking

Daring to Challenge: The Surprising Meeting Management Lesson from the Making of “Barbie”

Mastering Calendar Control: Redefining Your Time & Value

How a Quinoa Conundrum Put Me on a Quest for a Balanced Schedule

Beyond the Cards: A Poker-Inspired Lesson on Team Meeting Engagement

How a New England Road Trip Taught Me to Embrace the Unexpected

From Postdoc to Now: Three Career Lessons I Would Share with My Younger Self

Maximizing Meetings: How a Simple Agenda Can Transform Manager-Managee Interactions

Where Do Ideas Go When They Leave Your Mind? How a Question Can Clear the Air.

What I Learned By Giving Myself a Performance Review

The Sky’s The Limit: A Parasailing Metaphor for the Solopreneur Journey

Meaningful Performance Reviews: What I Learned from Managing Myself

Getting to the Point: Breaking the Habit of Over-Explanation

Stepping Outside Your Silo: The Long-Term Benefits of Diverse Career Connections

The Science of Success: How Scientists Can Use Experimentation to Build a Thriving Career

From Knowledge to People: The Dynamic Shift That Will Catalyze Your Career

Celebrate the Little Things: Why Recognizing Small Wins is Important

Embracing Change: What My Annual Solo Retreat in Sonoma Taught Me

How A Change of Scenery Ignited My Productivity

Why Managing Your Manager Is a Career Superpower

How Leaders Can Leverage the Difference Between “Showing” and “Telling”

Leader, Are You Aware of the Difference Between Knowing and Noticing?

The Two Magic Words That Leaders – And Everyone – Should Use More Often

A Friend Called Me “Busy.” Here’s How I Gave Myself a New, Freer, Narrative.

Try Failures, with a Small “f”

How To Be a Better Manager … Of Yourself

Ask Yourself, “What Went Well?”​

When Your Good Manager Behaves Badly

Everything You Never Learned About Having a Science Career

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