Heme Consults: For Women of Color in Hematology

Harmony is important in both music and life. In today's episode, we explore the importance of embracing inner melodies to create harmony in our lives. Key Points Discussed: The significance of harmony in music and life. The importance of creating a gap between stimulus and response for effective emotional processing. Connecting one's authentic self with outward expressions. Upgrading emotional sof...

The academic journey was never meant to be travelled alone. Yet, so many of us feel isolated. In this episode, we explore the importance of discovering supportive communities within academia. We encourage you to actively seek and nurture critical relationships. Key Points Discussed: The Need for Community: There is a fundamental human need for belonging. Life thrives within a community. Communitie...

Based on a quote from Toni Morrison, we explore the concept of racism as a distraction. Key Points Discussed: The Function of Racism as Distraction: Racism can be a distraction. Keeping you from your goals, racism can lead you to constantly work to prove yourself. Belief Systems and Challenges: Sometimes, people will not believe in your abilities. Don't let their unbelief drive the way you live li...

Embracing the work of creation allows us to find deep passion for creative endeavors. We explore the power of creating something new, eliminating distractions, and creating the right environment for your passions. Key Points Discussed: Discovering the Thing You Love: Emphasizing the importance of uncovering the passion that lies deep within and bringing it to the forefront. Removing Distractions:...

No matter how much you think you know about someone you have just met, you are wrong. There is so much we do not know. And it is important to both recognize and acknowledge our gaps. In this thought-provoking episode, we discuss the powerful message of not judging others based on their appearances. We need to take a step back and challenge our biases and societal perceptions so that we can see the...

We want to escape from hostile work environments but; instead of escaping, how can we thrive? In this episode, we discuss how to navigate and transform challenging workplace situations. Key Points Discussed: Perspective Matters: Hostile work environments can be a matter of perspective. Reconnect with your initial motivations for choosing your current environment and focus on the positive aspects t...

In the course of your career, people will ask you to make commitments. Sometimes, these commitments are secured before you fully understand what you are getting into. Approach every commitment with caution. Before you nod enthusiastically and accept a commitment, investigate it. But even if you are obligated to a commitment that you are no longer OK with, understand that commitments can be reevalu...

The greatest investment you will ever make is the one you make in yourself. No one will invest in you to a greater degree than you invest in yourself. The investment in yourself may seem costly; but the price is well worth the return on investment. Look to the future to see who you can become. Ask yourself, what is the price you need to pay to get there? Decide to pay the price today. If you want...

Great negotiations are born when people recognize value and work to exchange value for value. As a person, you are invaluable and irreplaceable. However, the value you create can be quantified in the marketplace. How you represent this value depends on our thoughts. Take charge of your thoughts so that you can take the right actions to enhance your career experience. Are you looking to negotiate y...

Our interactions with others often reveal more about them than about ourselves. People tend to speak based on their own perspectives, biases, and experiences. What they say may be a reflection of the aspects that resonate most strongly with them. When others offer opinions or judgments about us, recognize that these remarks are a reflection of their own perceptions and not necessarily an accurate...

When you are playing the infinite game, you may be surprised to find that others around you are playing a finite game. And because they are playing a finite game, they may feel that your winning equates to their losing. And because lose-win is their perspective, they can work against you and even react vehemently against you. Like fans in a basketball game, they can boo you loudly and try to derai...

In today's insightful discussion, we explore the notion that true competition lies within oneself, not with others. Winning against others may bring temporary satisfaction, but true fulfillment comes from competing with yourself. The ultimate triumph worth striving for is becoming a better version of yourself. Rather than seeking external recognition or approval, the true measure of success is the...

Embracing mistakes is an essential aspect of learning and growth. Making mistakes is a natural part of being human and an indication of the learning process. Learning environments should be free from judgment towards those mistakes. Mistakes expose the gaps in our knowledge; they are valuable gifts that benefit our future self; and they serve as clear indicators of ongoing learning. Acknowledge th...

You may have grown up in a safe and loving environment at home; but academic medicine is not that kind of home. Academic medicine can lure you into a sense of complacency where you assume that every request that is asked of you is in your best interest. It is time to evaluate each request independent of the requestor and make a decision that is aligned with your best interests. Spoiler alert - You...

Sometimes you get to an environment that doesn't have what you need to thrive. Perhaps they forgot to ask you in advance. Perhaps someone decided that what is already available should satisfy you. Perhaps they just don't care. Well, don't wait for them to decide to help you thrive. Figure out what you need and bring it along for yourself. When in doubt, bring along your own tea.

Boundaries help people know where they end and you begin. They help people orient themselves in relation to you. When your boundaries are clear to you and visible to others, they can work to keep from crossing them without your permission. If you are surrounded by people who may not respect your boundaries, making them explicit allows you to identify those people quickly and decide how to live in...

When you experience a drive-by explicit bias attack, it is important that it can be a feature of environments where people are not like you. However, having compassion for yourself and showing radical love for the person you are becoming is a critical strategy for winning.

When a microagression comes at you, you feel the ugliness with which it was sent deeply. The feeling is one that cannot easily be put into words: The feeling of deep disrespect is a drain on your life energy and you have got to do something about it. You need to act quickly because the microagression is like poison in your soul that needs to come out. And if it doesn't come out, it will hurt you....

Excellence is a gift that you give to yourself first. First, you must accept the gift of your own excellence as one you deserve, own, and enjoy. Then you are able to gift it to someone else. Being excellent looks like being aligned inside and outside. You are excellent and the most important recipient of that excellence is you.

When a hibiscus flower lives in the desert, the desert environment does not allow this flower to be all they can be. And when this flower is judged by the cacti in their environment, they believe that they need to work harder to be more cactus-like. However, what they really need is to ignore the opinion of the cacti and go find the oasis in the desert where hibiscus flowers live and thrive. Woman...

Whenever your life circumstances are rocky, it is up to you to help other people manage expectations about how you have to show up in the world for your current season. Taking ownership of leading your own experience allows you to show up as your best, most beautiful self - the version we have all been waiting for.

When you become a mentor, you are motivated to create opportunities that help you and your mentees win. Therefore, becoming a mentor allows you to become more creative in finding opportunities that help more mentees win. And so you'll discover that when you can mentor one person in the thing in which you thought you needed mentoring yourself, you find yourself growing into being the mentor you nev...

When you work really hard to adapt to a system that was not tailor-made for you, consider whether all the energy you expend is helping you advance in your career. If the answer is no, consider asking the environment to make the changes needed to help you thrive. And if it doesn't, it may be time to create your own tribe of amazing supporters that create the safe space in which you receive the supp...

Believing mentors teach skills, give information, sing your praises, provide opportunities, and protect your weaknesses Unbelieving mentors withold information, criticize you, complain, withold opportunities, and tell everyone how bad you are. Find believing mentors to come along with you on your career journey and leave all others behind.

You may not have found "the One" mentor that will transform your career; but that "One" mentor exists in many people who surround you even now. Recognize the resource available in people you may not consider "traditional" mentors, but who have something to offer you in your career advancement.