What It Really Takes to Lead With Influence Lakshmi Ramachandran, PhD- Executive Influence Strategist Something is shifting in our world right now, and we all can feel it. As a parent and a lifeskills educator, especially communication skills, I spend my days teaching that real power lives in connection, kindness and resilience. Yes, I believe in that deeply. But lately, I've been wrestling with a harder truth. Believing in those values doesn't mean you get to opt out of understanding power from experience. You just cannot play the real world game without knowing the rules. The moment this became clear to me didn't come from a book or a classroom. It came from my then 12 year old son, standing on the sidelines before a football match. I was giving him what I thought was wise advice. “Focus on your best self, don't worry about your opponents.” He listened, then looked at me and said something I wasn't expecting: "While it's important to bring out your best self, you also need to observe the weaknesses and strengths of your opponents and use that to your advantage." I didn't correct him. I couldn't. He was right. At 12, he already understood something it took me decades to grasp. That you can only truly play to your strengths when you understand the full landscape around you. Knowing yourself is one half of the equation. Knowing the field, you're playing on is the other. There is real power in that kind of discernment. At his age, I was the opposite. I wanted peace above all else. I avoided conflict. I gave freely - my time, my energy and my loyalty because giving felt good and fighting felt wrong. I told myself this was strength. I told myself this was character. What I didn't see was the slow erosion happening underneath. It doesn't happen dramatically. Nobody announces the day they start taking you for granted. It begins quietly. A friend or a family member forgets to acknowledge you, yet expects you to keep giving, decides on something important without checking with you, you become the scape goat in parties, and a colleague takes credit for your idea without acknowledgment. Someone borrows your energy, your kindness, your hard work and instead of it deepening the relationship, it simply becomes the "expected". You give more. They adjust to receiving more. And somewhere in that transaction, a version of you goes missing. This is how power gets quietly taken away. Not through force, but through our own willingness to keep the peace at the cost of our presence. I spent years thinking that not fighting was the same as being above the fight. But peace purchased by self-erasure isn't peace - it's surrender in slow motion. And the longer I surrendered, the smaller I became in spaces where I deserved to stand fully. Here's what I know now that I wish someone had told me sooner: competitiveness is not the opposite of kindness. It is a survival and thriving tactic. Understanding power dynamics doesn't make you hard , it makes you wise and whole: You can lead with love and still refuse to be overlooked. You can be generous and still have non-negotiable limits. You can be the most patient person in the room and still be the one everyone knows not to underestimate. My son taught me that on a football pitch. The world has been reinforcing it ever since. Three things I want you to carry with you: Power is not taken - it is released. Most of us give it away incrementally, in moments we barely notice. Awareness is where reclamation begins. Discernment is not cynicism. Seeing people and situations clearly - strengths, weaknesses, and all is not a betrayal of your values. It is wisdom in action. You are allowed to take up space. In conversations, in decisions, in relationships. Not at the expense of others, but no longer at the expense of yourself. This is exactly why I created the Reclaim Your Power series. Because too many of us have been quietly shrinking, and it's time to change that. As an Executive Influence Strategist, I've seen this pattern play out in leadership teams, and everyday relationships. The common thread is almost never a lack of skill or intelligence - it's a breakdown in how power is communicated. We either don't speak up, speak too softly, or have never been shown what it looks like to hold authority with both strength and grace. In this short series, I'll be teaching you exactly that. How to reclaim your power through the right communication. How to speak so you are heard. How to position yourself so you are respected. How to show up in every room as someone who leads, not someone who accommodates. WATCH MY FIRST VIDEO ON THE SERIES Follow the Reclaim Your Power series and let's rebuild - from the inside out. If you have a LinkedIn account, connect with me here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlakshmispeaks/ If not, subscribe to P.O.W.E.R UP newsletter here: https://www.drlakshmispeaks.com/ Or subscribe to me YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@drlakshmispeaks Or follow me on Instagram: @drlakshmispeaks

Why Being Ignored Stings and How to Stop Taking It Personally Dr Lakshmi Ramachandran, PhD- Brilliance to Influence- Executive Influence Strategist 5 min read You send a message. And then there’s silence - no reply, no acknowledgment, no signal that you’re on the other side waiting. Or maybe you sent a thoughtful LinkedIn message to another professional you've actually met, not a cold outreach, and days have gone by. Silence. And then there's the other kind of silence. You were building something with someone. Conversations that stretched past midnight, the kind of easy back-and-forth that made you think, yes, this is going somewhere.  And then, without warning or reason, they vanished. You have been ghosted. We've all been here. What does an unanswered messaged really make you feel? About them and about yourself? The Story We Tell Ourselves in the Silence Was it something I said? Am I too much? Do they really care? I am not writing again, my self-respect is more important!!! Rejection, abandonment, not a priority. These feelings are real. Human beings are neurologically built for social connection. Dr. Matthew Lieberman, a neuroscientist at UCLA, found in his research that social pain coming from rejection, exclusion or being ignored activates the same regions of the brain as physical pain. Something as simple as an unacknowledged message can genuinely hurt . The danger isn't the unanswered message itself. It's the story that's build around it. They don't value me. I reached out and it meant nothing. I am forgettable.  We fill silence with narrative, and that narrative almost always says something unkind about us. Reframing the Silence - Without Dismissing Your Feelings Here's what's worth holding onto: most unanswered messages are not about you. They are about bandwidth, timing, mental load, avoidance patterns, anxiety, a chaotic week, or simply the way some people relate to their phones. Research published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships  found that people often delay or avoid replying not out of disinterest, but because they feel pressure to respond "properly" and don't have the emotional energy to do so in the moment , and then forget entirely. The read receipt culture has made this worse. We can see that someone saw our message, which removes plausible deniability and makes silence feel more deliberate than it often is. Reframing doesn't mean pretending it didn't sting. It means choosing not to let someone else's communication style become your self-worth. Their silence is data about their capacity in that moment, not a verdict on your value. The other aspects to think about (which I often tell my students who reach out to professionals here on LinkedIn and feel dejected by a lack of response), are - 1) Your Ask- Is it too big? 2) The timing, and 3) How easy/difficult have you made it for them to respond. The Other Side of the Screen Now, if you've ever been the one who didn't reply, and it happens to the best of us with the best intentions, it's worth being honest about why. Sometimes life genuinely got in the way. You read the message during a meeting, meant to reply later, and it slipped into the void. Sometimes the question felt too big and you didn't know how to answer it. Sometimes the relationship had run its course and you didn't have the courage to say so clearly. But leaving people in ambiguity has a cost. Not just to them, but to the connection itself.  A simple "Hey, I saw this and will get back to you properly soon" takes eleven seconds and preserves trust. If you genuinely want to set a boundary or create distance, a kind, clear message does far less damage than disappearing. Ghosting isn't neutral. It transfers your discomfort onto someone else. Being a more mindful communicator doesn't mean being available to everyone, always. It means being intentional. Acknowledge when you can. Be honest when you can't. Why Acknowledgment Matters More Than We Think At the core of every unanswered message is a human being who reached out. Who chose, in that moment, to make contact. Acknowledgment, even brief, even imperfect, says: I see you. You're not invisible to me. That matters enormously. It is, in its quietest form, how we maintain the fabric of our relationships. And for those of you on the other end, waiting and wondering: your worth was never in someone else's hands to begin with. The message you sent says something about your willingness to connect. Their silence says something about their capacity to receive it. Don't confuse the two. About the Author I am Dr Lakshmi Ramachandran, PhD, an Executive Influence Strategist, keynote speaker, and PhD-trained scientist who helps leaders in science, technology, pharma and healthcare translate brilliance into confident, impactful communication. If this resonated with you, follow me for more reflections on communication, self-worth, and leadership, and subscribe to my newsletter for deeper insights delivered directly to your inbox. https://www.drlakshmispeaks.com/

Welcome to P.O.W.E.R UP- Brilliance to Influence, edition 14. This special edition is the last one for 2025. Save it and read it with a diary or notebook to benefit most from it.  This period marks something extraordinary.  The Winter Solstice.  The shortest day and longest night. For millennia, cultures worldwide have recognized this celestial turning point as a symbol of renewal, release, and rest. The Earth itself invites us to pause, reflect, and prepare for the return of light. What better time than now to consciously let go of what no longer serves you?  People underestimate endings. Yet every great beginning is built on the clarity of what we choose to release. The truth about what you've accomplished When I ask people:  "What did you accomplish this year?",  most immediately think of what they  didn't  do. The goals they missed and the targets they fell short of.  We underestimate what we've achieved. It's human nature. But that's exactly why reflection matters, not to beat ourselves up, but to see clearly what we've actually built, overcome, and become! The 10-day reset framework: Days 1-3: All that you did Make a comprehensive list of ALL that you did this year. Don't just count professional wins, but capture: Boundaries you protected Decisions you're genuinely proud of Growth moments that shaped who you are Emotional wins that changed your trajectory Difficult conversations you had the courage to start Failures that taught you more than success ever could My example: I co-authored an article, scaled my public speaking program, led culture-building initiatives with significant impact, and was ranked #1 communication skills influencer in Singapore. But what I  learned most from ? Emotional meltdowns. Tough conversations I didn't want to have. Being fully present with my teenager and tween when it was hard. Reflecting deeply, even when it hurt. That's where real growth lives. Days 4-5: Who you BECAME Helen Keller said, " Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved ".  There were times when I felt I was out of my character. Times when I felt I lost myself. Anchoring back to my values and being self-compassionate was the only way I could get back to my core. In the process, I am confident that I became better, not bitter. I stepped into my power by understanding, owning, and valuing my worth, something that only happened through terribly emotionally draining situations. Even while facing those moments, I remained  open and optimistic . That's the person I'm taking into 2026. Ask yourself: Did you become more  honest ? More  open ?  confident ?  resilient ?  collaborative ?  compassionate ?  courageous ? What else did you become? Days 6-8: KEEP, STOP, START Now comes the most powerful reflection. This helps you decide what to keep doing, stop doing and start doing as you step into 2026.  KEEP:  What fuelled you? Which habits, relationships, or practices brought you closer to your goals and values? STOP:  What drained you? Overthinking? A relationship dynamic? Unhealthy habits? Here's the nuance: you don't always need to let go of a relationship  entirely , but the patterns, the drama, the energy drains? Those need to go. However, the clear answer for the best action will only come through deep reflections and gut feeling.  Just as the Earth prepares for the slow return of light during the solstice, we can use this time to reflect on what we need to release. The winter solstice reminds us that  endings create space for beginnings . START:  What new habits, approaches, skills, or relationships do you want to cultivate in 2026? Days 9-10: Yoshuku - Celebrate Your Future Now Here's the final, most exciting bit.  Yoshuku is an ancient Japanese practice of celebrating in advance the life events we wish to manifest. Originally rooted in ancient agricultural practices, yoshuku involved celebrating the anticipated success of a future harvest. How to practice it: Close your eyes. It's December 2026. You're celebrating with a friend over coffee. Or writing a LinkedIn post about your incredible year.  What are you sharing?  What accomplishments make you deeply proud? What transformation are you celebrating? Write it as if it already happened. Why does this work? Studies have shown that when athletes visualize themselves executing their skills flawlessly, it can significantly improve their physical performance. The brain responds powerfully to future visualization because it cannot easily distinguish between a vividly imagined experience and a real one. You're literally programming your neural pathways for success. This isn't wishful thinking, it's  cognitive rehearsal . Research studies have indicated that visualization can improve performance as much as 45 percent. An invitation for you: These 10 days are your canvas. The solstice energy supports endings and new beginnings like no other time of year. Don't rush into 2026 without this reset. Reflect deeply. Release consciously. Envision boldly. What are you most excited about for 2026?  Drop it in the comments and I'd love to celebrate with you. 🎯 My 2026 Vision I'm excited to: ✨ Expand the impact of leadership communication in science and technology ✨ Help brilliant minds speak with clarity, confidence, and influence ✨ Shape stronger, more psychologically safe cultures If you're a leader in science, technology, or innovation looking to:  Build psychologically safe, high-performing teams  Communicate with clarity and confidence  Create cultures where brilliant minds thrive Let's connect.   www.drlakshmispeaks.com ,  https://www.youtube.com/@drlakshmispeaks/ ,  Instagram: @drlakshmispeaks Speaker Reel:   https://youtu.be/BhYHYXbl8KE?si=u14p82MyqVCXnJsM

Welcome to P.O.W.E.R UP (Brilliance to Influence) edition #14. This is a newsletter for leaders who wish to turn expertise into influence, and ideas into impact. Unclear message = lost audience and audience lost :) I was eagerly waiting for the keynote speech to start. I'd learned that this professor was very well-known in his field (Science & Technology). The session was attended by the top-most senior leadership and around 200 people. But as the speech started, I was surprised to note that the professor was reading from notes. And the first five minutes made no sense as to where this was going. Here was someone with immense credibility and the opportunity to make a real impact, but the message was getting lost. It got me thinking about my own journey with public speaking. My Journey: From loving the stage, to losing my voice I've loved speaking since my teens. During my Masters and PhD, I won awards for my presentations. I felt alive in front of an audience. But then life happened, and I faced a career setback. I lost my then job and a future opportunity at the same time. There was also a breach of trust that affected my faith in people as well as my confidence. I spiraled down, lost myself. And my voice. But I refused to let that be the end of my story. I looked for speaking training opportunities everywhere. I invested heavily in myself in terms of effort, time, and money. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Today, I've not only spoken on multiple global stages, but I'm also the creator of a six-week public speaking course for university students. Today (24 Nov) is my birthday, and I want to give you a gift: my best tips on speaking effectively. Tip 1: There's no such thing as having no fear when speaking Around 75% of people fear public speaking. I'm no different. Even now, I want to run away before most speeches. But I've learned to work with my nerves by: Acknowledging the sensations (racing heart, sweaty palms) at body level Reframe the thoughts ("This audience wants me to succeed") at mind level Breathe (box breathing: 4 in, 4 hold, 4 out, 4 hold) at breath level Acknowledge and Accept: Notice what's happening in your body - racing heart, butterflies, sweaty palms. Don't fight these sensations. Just acknowledge them. Reframe your thoughts: I ask myself: "Am I focusing on my performance instead of the value I'm bringing? Why am I seeing this supportive audience as a threat?" Once I reason with my brain, I shift to: "I'm excited for this opportunity to serve this wonderful audience." Breathe: Deep breathing signals safety to your brain. I use box breathing (4 in, 4 hold, 4 out, 4 hold) everywhere - waiting backstage, walking to the podium, even mid-speech. Know your content thoroughly: When you're deeply familiar with your material, you have one less stress trigger to manage. Tip 2: Content is king, and stories are the crown jewels There's no doubt that content and expertise is key to a powerful speech/presentation. But how the content is shared matters. Stories are easier to remember than data, both for the speaker and for the audience. Delivery becomes much easier when woven with stories. Different storytelling strategies affect how the brain stores experiences as memories. Research shows that when people recalled stories with emotional and interpretive details, their hippocampi activated along with brain networks that process self-related information and emotions. Think about it: Which would you remember better? "Our company increased revenue by 23% last quarter." "A few months back Sarah from sales approached me, "Remember that prospect who ghosted us twice and said we were too expensive?" I did. We'd written them off. But Sarah spent three months learning their business inside-out, rebuilt the proposal from scratch, and walked in focused on solving their one critical problem. They signed for $850K and that alone led to 23% growth last quarter !" Take your audience on a journey rather than presenting them with a list of facts. Your data still matters, but wrap it in narrative. Make them FEEL something. Tip 3: Clarity of message is everything Remember that professor I mentioned at the beginning? His challenge was 'curse of knowledge' leading to lack of clarity for the audience. In the first five minutes of any presentation, your audience should know exactly where you're going. Here's the framework that works: One key message. Three supporting points. That's it. That's the structure. Your key message is the one thing you want your audience to remember when they walk out of the room. Everything else - every story, every data point, every slide - should support that central message. Why three points? Because three is memorable. The human brain loves patterns of three. It's enough to feel substantial but not so many that people lose track. Before you start creating any presentation, ask yourself: What is the ONE thing I want my audience to remember? What are the THREE most important points that support this message? What stories or examples bring these points to life? If you can't answer these questions clearly, your audience won't be able to either. Last but not the least, practice with intention. Record yourself. Watch it back (yes, even though it's uncomfortable). Get feedback from people you trust. Importantly, find opportunities to speak and put yourself out there. The more you do it, the better you get at it. There's no shortcut. The best speakers aren't people who have no fear. They're people who have learned to channel that energy into powerful, clear, story-driven communication. As I celebrate my birthday tomorrow, my gift to you is this: Y our voice matters. Your message matters. And with the right tools and enough practice, you can learn to share both with confidence and impact. What's one tip you would use right away? With warmth and encouragement, Lakshmi Watch my latest speaker reel Subscribe to my You Tube channel Visit my website to learn more Dr. Lakshmi Ramachandran is a PhD scientist turned executive communication strategist who helps senior leaders in pharma, biotech, and STEM transform their expertise into influence. As creator of the P.O.W.E.R methodology, she works with executives who have brilliant ideas but struggle to communicate them clearly to drive business impact. Want more insights on turning your expertise into executive influence? Follow Lakshmi Ramachandran, PhD, PCC and subscribe to P.O.W.E.R UP for practical strategies that help senior leaders communicate with clarity and drive results. www.drlakshmispeaks.com

Welcome to P.O.W.E.R UP (Brilliance to Influence) edition #13. This is a newsletter for leaders in science, technology, pharma, and biotech who want to turn expertise into influence, and ideas into impact. “Your expertise may get you to the table, but what keeps you there is influence.” Many brilliant ideas never make it past the boardroom because they’re presented as ' information'   that people forget, not   'insights'  that connect . In science and technology, leaders often believe the strength of their data will speak for itself. It rarely does. Boards don’t make decisions on technical depth, but they make them on   business outcomes . You might be pitching a breakthrough in cell therapy, a novel drug target, or a new AI capability in diagnostic, but unless you connect that idea to what matters to the business (patients, profit, timelines, or competitive edge), it risks being ignored. Why Smart Leaders Struggle You’ve spent decades mastering science. But communication? That’s often learned through trial and error, or not at all. Here’s what I hear from senior leaders I coach: I know my stuff, but I lose people in the details I feel like I’m talking, but no one’s listening. I second-guess myself in high-stakes moments. Sound familiar? The problem isn’t you. It’s that no one taught you how to translate your   expertise into influence . Technical brilliance without communication clarity is  invisible leadership. Influence in STEM Leadership Influence as a leader in science and technology isn’t just about brilliance, it’s about: Clarity: Can you distill complexity into insight? Confidence: Do you own your message without apology and with conviction?  Connection: Do you make others feel heard and inspired to act? When you master these three, your credibility transforms into impact. The Framework: From Data to Decision Here’s a structure - the   3-I Framework   you could use for connecting data to business outcomes: 1️⃣ INSIGHT (not Information) Start with the “so what?” not the “what.”   ❌ “Our Phase II trial showed a 23% improvement in efficacy markers…” ✅ “We’ve identified a pathway to reduce patient relapse by nearly a quarter, here’s what that means for our pipeline.” 2️⃣ IMPACT (not Process) Executives care about outcomes, not methodology.   ❌ “We used a double-blind, placebo-controlled design with…” ✅ “This approach de-risks our timeline and positions us ahead of competitors.” 3️⃣ INVITATION (not Monologue) Engage, don’t lecture. Make it a conversation.   ❌ “Any questions?” ✅ “What concerns should we address first to move this forward?” Your Power-Up Action Plan Before your next high-stakes meeting, ask yourself: What’s the  one insight  I want them to remember? What  decision or action  do I need from this conversation?  How can I  invite collaboration , not just present information? When you lead with clarity, confidence, and connection, you don’t just present data, you drive decisions. Because in the end, the winner is the one that connects business outcomes to human understanding. Across industries, we see what happens when communication and culture truly come together. AstraZeneca   shows how cross-functional collaboration between science and business fuels innovation.   Novartis   leads with its “unbossed” culture, encouraging openness, dialogue, and challenge.   Roche   continues to prove that clarity and compassion strengthen scientific storytelling. Google 's Project Aristotle reminds us that psychological safety, not IQ, drives team innovation and buy-in.   Closer to home,   National University of Singapore   and   A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research   show how scientists can bridge research and enterprise through stronger communication and collaboration. Brilliant ideas thrive where people feel heard, valued, and inspired to contribute. ✨ 📣   Follow me, Dr Lakshmi Ramachandran (PhD, PCC)   for science-backed insights on how pharma, biotech, and healthcare leaders can communicate with impact, inspire buy-in, and transform brilliant ideas into lasting influence. www.drlakshmispeaks.com #Leadership #Communication #Pharma #Biotech #STEM #Influence #PublicSpeaking #POWERFramework #ExecutivePresence

POWER UP Newsletter: Issue #12 | For STEM Professionals Ready to Step Into Their Power Dear Power-Builders, I've been noticing something troubling in professional circles lately. Post after post about toxic workplaces, difficult colleagues, impossible bosses. The comments sections fill with sympathy and shared grievances. I get it. I've been there too. There's something oddly comforting about finding others who validate our frustrations. It feels lighter to vent, to play the victim, to earn that sympathy. But here's the uncomfortable truth I learned through years of self-exploration: We're actually giving our power away. And the cruel irony? We're not even giving away our power to those who supposedly wronged us. We're powering our own misery and misalignment. The Hidden Cost of the Blame Game When we focus on external circumstances - that micromanaging boss, the colleague who takes credit, the "toxic culture" - we lose three critical things: Our energy (spent on resentment instead of solutions) Our voice (silenced by victimhood) Our influence (diminished by powerlessness) This is particularly devastating for STEM professionals, where our credibility and authority are already hard-won. The Power-Back Framework Instead of focusing on what's happening TO us, what if we shifted to what's happening WITHIN us? Here are three ways to reclaim your power: 1. Alignment with Values Every time you say yes when you mean no, stay silent when you should speak, or copy someone else's approach - ask yourself: Which of my core values am I violating? Your discomfort isn't about them. It's about you acting against your own integrity. Power Question:  "What would I do if I honored my values completely in this situation?" 2. Clarity as Currency Clarity about who you are, what you want, and what you won't tolerate is pure power. It prevents others from writing your story for you. Most workplace "toxicity" thrives in the absence of clear boundaries and expectations. Power Practice:  Complete these sentences: I am... I want... I will not tolerate... 3. Focus as Your Guardrail Focus is the guardrail that keeps your energy from scattering. When you choose what deserves your attention, you regain control. Every minute spent analyzing someone else's motives is a minute not spent building your own capabilities. Power Shift:  "What would I focus on if I trusted my ability to handle whatever comes?" The Science Behind Inner Power Research in cognitive psychology shows that internal locus of control - believing you influence your outcomes - correlates with higher job satisfaction, better performance, and increased resilience. External focus keeps us reactive. Internal focus makes us generative. Your Weekly Challenge This week, catch yourself in one moment of external blame. Instead of asking "Why are they doing this?" ask "What does this situation reveal about what I need to develop in myself?" Not to excuse poor behavior from others, but to reclaim your agency in shaping your experience. A Personal Note As Navratri begins, I'm reminded of 'Shakti' - that divine feminine power that exists within each of us. This is about recognizing the creative, transformative energy we all possess. When you align with your values, gain clarity about your path, and focus your energy intentionally, you communicate with unprecedented clarity and confidence. That's when your expertise becomes influence. That's when your knowledge becomes impact. The world needs what you know. But it needs you to own your power first. Ready to power up your communication and confidence? Next week: "The Authority Paradox - Why Technical Experts Struggle to Claim Their Expertise" Connect with me: Reply to this newsletter with your power-back stories Follow my journey on LinkedIn: Lakshmi Ramachandran, PhD, PCC   Subscribe to my newsletter here: https://www.drlakshmispeaks.com/subscribe Remember: You don't need permission to be the expert you already are. With power and possibility, Dr. Lakshmi P.S. If this newsletter sparked something in you, forward it to a colleague who might need this reminder. Power shared is power multiplied.

There's POWER in doing it your way Leadership, Life, Communication skills by Dr. Ramachandran, PhD P.O.W.E.R Up Newsletter - Episode 13   🕒   3-minute read Doing It Your Way: The Quiet Power of Showing Up Authentically Whether it's speaking up at work, raising children, or walking into a room where you feel unseen, there is real power in doing it   your   way. Not the loudest way. Not the most conventional way. But the way that feels true to you. This past week, I shared three stories that might seem unrelated, about motherhood, confidence, and public speaking. But underneath each is the same message:   You don’t have to fit into someone else’s mold to be powerful. You just need to show up with clarity, courage, and compassion. Being Present in Your Own Life When I look back on my journey as a mother, once during a career break and later while actively working as a mother, I realize that the common thread wasn’t whether I was at home or in the office. It was   presence . Your presence is your power. Not how much time you have, but how fully you show up in the time you   do . 🟡   Read the full post: Motherhood & Career Being you, unapologetically Confidence, especially in women, is often misunderstood. When we speak with conviction, some might call it arrogance. But when you’ve earned your voice, you don’t need to shrink it for others’ comfort. Owning your voice isn’t about being loud, it’s about being grounded, self-aware, and kind. 🟡   Read the full post: When Confidence is Seen as Arrogance 🟡   Go deeper in this blog: When Confidence Is Mistaken for Arrogance Be there to Express, not Impress When it comes to public speaking, it’s easy to get caught up in trying to impress: perfect words, flawless delivery, audience approval. But the most powerful moments happen when we shift our focus from performance to   connection . The goal isn’t to impress; it’s to express, with clarity, authenticity, and conviction. Being grounded in your own skin and voice creates trust. It quiets the noise of self-doubt and lets your real message come through. 🟡   Read the full post: Public Speaking Final Word: Do It Your Way There’s no one right way to raise a child, speak in public, or carry confidence. The world may try to put you in a box, but your power lies in doing it your way - with   self-awareness, heart, and presence. Show up, Speak up, and be kind to yourself in the process. ⚡ Ready to P.O.W.E.R Up ?   Sign up for the   Power Up Newsletter   at   www.drlakshmispeaks.com   and get weekly reflections, tools, and inspiration straight to your inbox. Until next time :) Stay present. Own your brilliance. Show up with heart. – Dr. Lakshmi

A Scientific and Spiritual Exploration of Life I don't know the exact answer. All I can say is that I realize the existence of a power/vibrations/realm beyond the comprehension of our five senses, limited scientific knowledge and understanding. This realization did not come from the reading of religious scriptures or books. It came from a personal experience which piqued my curiosity and intrigued my intellect. It gave me a lot of solace, stability and hope when faced with a difficult situation of not being able to have children (a decade ago). Scientifically, a child is born when an egg and a sperm fuse to create the zygote (the first cell). The zygote then undergoes multiple rounds of cell division and differentiation to form the embryo. The embryo at the stage of the blastocyst, implants into the uterus. Once implanted, it's nourishment begins through the mother and the life journey begins. The embryo then grows within the mother slowly and steadily to complete its development, and ultimately take the shape of a baby. A fascinating, yet complex process, the beginning of which is a simple union of the egg and the sperm. As a scientist and an academic achiever, I believed that anything in life is possible with planning, determination and hard work. I still believe in it, just that I also understand that we do not have absolute control on the outcome. All we can do is to very sincerely do our best and let go of the attachment to the results. Whether it is a positive or a negative outcome, or whether it is bad or good times, it will have an impact on our lives. In bad times, the choice is in our hands to either go into blame and depression, or accept, rise up, and get going to explore what else is in store! In retrospect, it was my challenge with infertility that contributed to the biggest positive shift in my life. I realized then that we do not have absolute control over when a life begins or when a life ends. Yes, thanks to the advancement of medical science, we are able to navigate through the various challenges today, and even fuse an egg and sperm in the lab to create embryos. Even then, we are unable to predict with certainty whether that embryo will transform into a human life! This realisation helped me make an intuitive, yet logical decision. That is to take medical help, and put in my 100% towards my journey towards motherhood, but also to let go of my control over the outcome. I thought, if it worked, it is the desired outcome and if it didn't, at least I will have no regrets that I didn't try my best. I left my wonderful job in science to pursue this goal. With focus, commitment and faith, I found renewed happiness in this journey. It was as though I found my purpose. A new life began to take shape in me in a way that it changed me, my perspectives, and attitude towards life. I was also giving birth to my new found creativity through a book during this time. Yes, I didn't just give birth to a child, but also to love, passion, creativity and empathy. This is what I would like to celebrate today on Krishna Jayanthi (the birth of Krishna). This was the beginning of my inward journey in seeking the truth of 'who I am'. In this journey, with the curtain of ignorance lifted , I have come to see that the power exists within each one of us. The ultimate truth is that we are all one, united by one thread. That is the reason why when the world is suffering because of the pandemic we are unable to be happy or celebrate our individual successes. It just doesn't make sense anymore, right? The pictures below are a testimony to the the existence of grace within. While going through infertility treatments, I used to look at a picture of baby Krishna in my bed room and visualise me holding that baby Krishna in my arms. This vision came to me again while I was standing at the famous Krishna temple in Kerala (Guruvayoor) just before I conceived my older boy Madhav. I realized the power of my visualisation, only when I saw the photograph below taken when my first born Madhav turned a year old. So Who is God? I shall continue to explore through this journey which is incredibly beautiful, limitless and deep. With Madhav, my older boy (top) and Shiv, my younger boy (below). Dr. Lakshmi Ramachandran 20+ years in science Researcher, Communicator, Administrator Coach, Keynote Speaker & Author Advocate for women in science Mom of two boys www.drlakshmispeaks.com

The big dreams of a 15 year old girl I was just 15 years old when I dreamed of becoming a scientist. I was totally fascinated by biology, especially the world of microorganisms and the cells that make up our body. My fascination soon became a burning ambition to become a cancer drug discovery researcher. I fueled my ambition by working hard and embarking on a doctoral program in cell and molecular biology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, SUNY Buffalo. So I was totally elated when I completed my PhD program with flying colours (6 publications and Dean's award for outstanding dissertation research). I had excellent postdoctoral opportunities from academia in the US, but I chose to come back closer to home in India and work on drug discovery. When the going gets tough.. Up until this point, everything seemed to go exactly as I wanted. Ironically, I also faced a major setback in life then! When career seemed to be stable and on track, my husband, Ashwin, and I decided to start a family. Little did we realize then that what we had taken for granted earlier, having a child, was going to become a major challenge for us! We fell into the category of infertile couples and became very vulnerable because of failed attempts to conceive and start a family. We ended up choosing wrong doctors and clinics, just because they were nearer to my work place and we thought that I could balance work and my treatments better this way. During this time, I faced emotional and physical stress from hormonal treatments and the dissatisfaction of not being able to give my 100% at work and in personal life. At a point when I couldn’t take it anymore, I decided to give up my dream job in drug discovery to give my full attention and energy towards having a child. This was a very tough decision to make, but I did it based on my priority in life at that point!! I also wanted to go back to my hometown where I would have the support of our families and choose the right clinic for further treatment. Challenges lead to new opportunities It was indeed a very challenging phase in my life. However now as I look back, this most challenging phase is what actually shaped my life in a very meaningful manner, leading me to reinvent myself as a mother, author, a science and woman in science advocate, writer and speaker. Here I share two important learnings from my life that helped me achieve what I really cared for- a balanced and happy life! 1) Change Lanes The priority I set in my life and the 100% focus and efforts I placed on achieving motherhood became fruitful when we were blessed with a healthy baby within a couple of years. At the same time, my first book, Roomies/Foodies , a unique memoir-cook book which I co-authored with my friend from grad school, was also born. (Read more about the publishing story of Roomies/Foodies here ) However, life presented newer challenges as I struggled to get back on my career track in research after the career break. This was compounded by relocation to a new country where Ashwin got a promising job offer. The rejections and lack of responses for my job applications did leave me feeling frustrated and desperate. However, I was soon to realize that it was important for me to learn and adapt to the changes/advances in my field. I focused on updating my skills by enrolling for courses while building my network. I prepared myself to change my career path from research to other areas in science. Most importantly, I focused on staying positive and healthy throughout the process. Finally I landed a new job in science communications and at the same time gave birth to our second child! From this experience I learned that the entire journey of life cannot be planned, as life does like to surprise you. It is important to have an adaptable mindset to accept unexpected life situations. Then look for what best you can do in that situation. This is where I suggest ' changing lanes ' if necessary in your career. The mindset to prioritize and adapt to life situations, helps keep stress minimal and opens up new exciting possibilities which we never thought of before. 2) Shift Gears It is important to know and accept that career and life do not follow a linear path at all times. Most often it is not possible to give your 100% at both work and life. Therefore, i t is totally fine to increase or reduce your pace according to your life situation. This is what I mean by ' shifting gears ' and will help reduce stress that results from a need for perfection in everything. From my experience, I would not advise anyone to completely quit their job as it takes grit and persistence to get back. However, if you do so under unavoidable circumstances, it is important that you do something, such as courses, creative or voluntary work rather than nothing at all. One thing that greatly helped me to bounce back was to take responsibility for things and to make myself in charge of changes that I wished to see in my life or in the world. The fact is each one of us has the potential to be a 'changemaker', but we seldom realize it. It took me a while to recognize this as I found myself down with an ‘imposter syndrome’, soon after I joined my new job. Imposter syndrome is a draining thought that 'I am not good enough to belong here'. The career break, new area of work, challenges of bringing up two young kids , all seemed to make me believe that I am no longer good enough at my job. What helped me come out of my imposter syndrome was the women in science support group at my institute ( @MBIwis ). Here, I learned that the ‘leaky career pipeline’, ‘imposter syndrome’ etc are common problems that affect a woman’s career. At that point I decided to do something about this as I wanted to reach out to my fellow women in science and help them retain their careers in science. I soon became an active proponent of female participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and careers. I attended global symposiums and focused my efforts in bringing about a change in the Asia Pacific region where I am from. This includes proposing and co-organizing the Gender Summit Asia Pacific 2019 in Singapore, and becoming a stories in science ambassador through the STEM advocacy institute in Boston, USA. (Read my story on advancing career through volunteering here ) As I look back, life was never a smooth road. I did change lanes and shift gears multiple times. Sometimes I have felt that I am far behind. But now I am happy that I took pauses to recharge and reinvent myself. I am content because I am there for the precious children I brought to this world and for my family; I am there for my friends, and I am there for my people in science! CREDITS: My story in science was originally published by storiesinscience.org in 2017. This was later re-published by the UNESCO Asia Pacific To know more about my tips on changing career track in science please read this article: https://biotechin.asia/2016/04/23/mbi-women-in-science-dr-lakshmi-ramachandran/

“You have a science background! What made you write a cookbook? How did you get it published?” These are questions Meghana and I are often asked since we published Roomies/Foodies in Dec 2015. Although part of it is covered in the book, in this piece I revisit all the thoughts, moments and experiences that went behind the pages of Roomies/Foodies. On a sunny afternoon of late 2009 in Bangalore, the aroma of dishes prepared using coconut oil in our traditional Kerala way, filled our home. Ashwin, my husband, and I were getting ready to welcome our good old friends, Meghana (Meg) and Ashish. Meg was my roommate back during our graduate student days (2001) in Buffalo, USA, and we were meeting nearly four years after Ashwin and I moved out of Buffalo. That meeting brought back nostalgic memories especially of our friends, food, and the all fun we had. We laughed and laughed, and in that light moment, the idea of compiling our culinary adventures as student cooks started taking shape in our minds. However, the idea remained in our minds for a while as we were busy with our lives- Meg was a working mom, and I was in a challenging life phase, dealing with failed infertility treatments! A few months down the lane, I quit my dream job as a drug discovery researcher. Ashwin and I moved back to my home town in Kerala, to focus on starting a family. Through the loving support of both our families, choice of the right hospital, and efforts combined with patience, I conceived our baby. The springing of our first child’s life in me brought immense hope and positivity within me. This fuelled my creativity, bringing out a hidden potential as a writer. During this time, I wrote parts of Roomies/Foodies, which I forwarded to Meg. Her reply came almost instantaneously and I quote her words from that email; “Hey Lux! I'm all fired up about the cookbook :)...no pun intended :) Started to compile 'em……Think of some cool titles, howz this: 1) Cooking for F.R.I.E.N.D.S by Meg and Lux 2) Roomies Foodies 3) The Student's Guide to Eating Well Without Compromising a 4.0 GPA (Something shorter to this effect)….Let's get this rolling!” Well, that was it!! ROOMIES/FOODIES WAS BORN! How our scientific training helped in writing a cookbook! Due to our scientific training, Meg and I were quite adept at creating a strategy and structure for the book before we started writing. Meg also had considerable experience in technical writing by then. This really helped us coordinate our efforts over phone and Skype and write the book without even meeting each other in person. First we defined the following: 1. Target audience & Content - We decided to write a memoir-cookbook with a maximum of 60 recipes, each introduced through a short, witty anecdote behind the creation of the recipe. We defined the target audience as Indian graduate students going abroad or novice cooks! To be precise, (in a funny way) ‘culinarily challenged’ individuals. 2. Uniqueness - We decided that the book will be written as a ‘survival guide’ with not only funny anecdotes from our student life introducing our recipes, but also provide all necessary information such as grocery lists, cooking terms, cooking utensils, what to pack in your suitcase when you travel abroad for the first time as students, how cooking helps to save your bucks, how to eat green and stay healthy, and highlight 'reduce, reuse and recycle' in cooking to prevent food wastage. 3. Documentation - We decided on a naming convention for our documents, including how to name updated versions. We also created the following documents which helped in consistent and coordinated efforts from the beginning: a) record of all changes and updates, b) style guide for fonts and abbreviations, c) props and situation guide for food photography, d) a shared online platform to record and store pictures, e) phone meeting minutes, f) appendix for often repeated cooking procedures and g) glossary of cooking terms and utensils Science and cooking I still remember how Meg taught me how to cook white rice in a pot or pressure cooker (Yes, I had no clue how to cook when I reached the US as a student, even to make a cup of tea or coffee!). She never measured the rice or water, instead she would stick a finger in the pot touching the top of the rice and when the water level touches the first furrow of her finger she would stop. And then cook the rice. It always worked. Since I learned to cook mainly from her and our other roommate Geet, I also learned to rely on proportions rather than measures. As we couldn’t afford many ingredients, being students, we also learned to cook with what we had, often leading to new inventions in our ‘kitchen lab’. Once I picked up the basic steps in cooking, I started loving and enjoying it, especially because I could connect it to science. In cooking you follow a recipe, while in science you follow a protocol, and both allows for innovation! How we got our book published With our strategies and a deadline to work towards completing the book, which was my delivery date, Meg and I worked hard to finish up the book writing in a few months. Then we started pitching to various publishers through mail. Very soon, we realized that writing was the easiest part of getting a book out, while the most challenging part was to get it published. Also, our busier lives with kids and multiple relocations made it tough to get the focus on publishing. However, our excellent teamwork, mutual support, taking responsibilities when the other is pressed for time, really helped us persist towards publishing. I n fact we both were fiercely persistent and hardworking! We considered and discussed several options including self-publishing. We kept our eyes and ears open and therefore heard of the new crowd-sourced publishing platform called ‘ Bloody Good Book’ . As this was the venture of a very noted and best-selling author Rashmi Bansal , we decided to take the plunge and submitted our manuscript. Our book received 99 positive crowd reviews and was selected for publication in the non-fiction category. Roomies/Foodies journey this far We had our book launch at the LitVenture event in Mumbai in Dec2015 and in Singapore at the Singapore Community of Indian Ladies (SCIL) event in May 2016. Roomies/Foodies is available as an e-book , print version and an App . The print version is also available in select book stores in Pune ( Pagdandi ) , India, and Singapore ( Books Actually , Tiong Bahru). Within few weeks of Roomies/foodies being available on Amazon, the book received #1 Bestseller title in its category. The book also received the 2016 Runner-Up Award at the “Publishing Next Industry Awards” under the category of Best Digital Books. Roomies/Foodies has been featured on several blogs, Mint newspaper and University at Buffalo, Alumni Magazine .

Here I share my experiences volunteering in science and my learning on how it can help to advance your career. Identifying a suitable volunteering opportunity Although I used to volunteer in local groups, committees and activities all through my career in science, my first opportunity to volunteer in an international group came quite unexpectedly. I met Dr.Fanuel Muindi, co-founder of The STEM Advocacy Institute at the UNESCO international symposium and policy forum focused on girls education in STEM. He had presented the stories in science project at the symposium. Stories in Science is an initiative through which real stories of scientists are curated from around the world. These stories, which bring to light the challenges, failures and successes of people in science serve as a resource for the public and aspiring scientists to understand the nature of science. Later, through follow-up emails, I got to know more about the goals and mission of this think tank, which is to conduct advocacy research that leads to the development of new ideas, tools, and insights to support trainees, organizations, and policy makers in science around the world. The concept resonated well with my personal values, ideas, and vision for science to benefit all. I shared my own story in science and very soon I found myself in an enthusiastic science think tank discussing and implementing ideas. Volunteering in science helps to expand your knowledge base Despite being a busy working mother, I found time to volunteer for the STEM Advocacy Institute owing to a passion I developed for the stories in science initiative and the wonderful and supportive team. Also I have felt that when volunteering, pressure is less and satisfaction is high. Although the responsibility when taking up assignments is the same as a regular job, there is greater flexibility and added fun element to volunteering. I felt that in very little time, I gained more knowledge on science communications, especially global insights, and realized the power of stories in science to effectively penetrate the society. Also the amount of learning I have gained being in this group is significant as every idea, publication, initiative and tool is shared through the group and regular team meetings. Volunteering in science helps to expand your network Needless to say, volunteering for the STEM advocacy institute has helped to expand my professional network considerably. I now collaborate with people from all over the world and the experience is phenomenally rewarding. Volunteering enables you to give back to the society Besides the STEM Advocacy Institute, I have self-initiated a couple of voluntary projects to promote the participation of females in STEM (Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics) education and careers. One of this is the organizing of the Gender Summit in Singapore in 2019. In my experience, I have not only felt empowered myself through these activities but also have gained a lot of fulfilment in empowering others in the process. I have received tremendous support from like-minded people and that is fuel and strength for forging ahead despite challenges. Finally, when the focus is the benefit of the society and people, it benefits everyone involved. Volunteering in science can help bridge a career break/ land your next job in science I joined the team initially as the stories in science ambassador and was later recruited as a Senior Program Specialist at the STEM Advocacy Institute. This helped me put to use my biggest strengths- thorough analysis and development of strategies - as well as networking and communication skills. The volunteering experience enabled me to pursue the next level in my career through renewed confidence, exciting new network and opportunities. Based on my personal experience I highly recommend volunteering/internship in science as a way to expand your horizon and advance your career in science. This is also an excellent way for those, especially women, who have taken a career break to focus on family, to maintain and build networks that may help bridge your career gap and land your next job. What are the types of volunteering opportunities in science? You could look for volunteering opportunities 1) within your institute/university such as contributing to outreach and career development programs, 2) local or global non profit organizations such as the UN or UNESCO (https://www.unv.org/become-volunteer) 3) programs such as the On-Call scientists by AAAS (https://oncallscientists.aaas.org/en) 4) freelancing to write articles on science and health care for biotech platforms 5) Self-initiate projects/missions close to your heart such as going to schools and talking about STEM. Those passionate about science and the society could explore joining the STEM Advocacy Institute through https://www.stemadvocacy.org/about-us/join-us/ #science #career #STEM #volunteering #advocacy Please enrich this article by sharing your volunteering experiences below in the comments section. Thank you!

Navigating the Fine Lines in Life and Leadership The distinction between confidence and arrogance isn't always as clear-cut as we'd like to believe. Confidence is self-assuredness grounded in competence. Arrogance is self-importance inflated by ego. Yet confidence can be mistaken for arrogance depending on the lens or context with which it is seen. I recall my undergraduate days when classmates approached me for help with coursework, my response was: "I figured it out myself. Try it on your own first." I genuinely believed I was being helpful, encouraging them to develop their own problem-solving skills and trust their abilities. But they thought I was arrogant. I was impeccably dressed, consistently occupied the front row, spent countless hours in libraries, topped every exam, and excelled in extracurricular activities. My academic performance spoke for itself, and I carried myself with what I believed was confidence rooted in competence. The Perception Problem: Context is Everything What makes this topic particularly complex is that the line between confidence and arrogance isn't fixed, it shifts based on multiple contextual factors: Cultural Context : Different cultures have varying tolerance levels for assertive behavior. What's considered confident leadership in one cultural setting might be perceived as arrogant in another. Gender Dynamics: While confidence is often celebrated in men, women who display assertiveness or ambition in leadership roles are frequently met with criticism or labeled as arrogant. This gender bias creates a particularly challenging navigation for women in leadership positions. Professional Hierarchy: The same behavior exhibited by a CEO might be viewed differently when displayed by a middle manager or entry-level employee. Communication Style: How you say something often matters more than what you say. Your tone, body language, and word choice all influence whether your message is received as confident or arrogant. Situational Awareness: The mood of the room, timing of your communication, and the specific context all play crucial roles in perception. The Corporate Reality: Confidence wins people, arrogance loses Research consistently shows that while confidence is essential for leadership success, crossing into arrogance territory can be professionally devastating. In the leadership paradigm of the 21st century, an effective, confident leader can no longer afford to be arrogant. The confidence-arrogance perception becomes particularly complex when viewed through a gender lens. Gender bias and stereotypes can harm women, causing them to doubt their skills and abilities and potentially limiting their opportunities to lead or take on challenging projects in the workplace. Women often face what researchers call the "confidence double-bind" they're criticized for being too passive if they don't assert themselves, but labeled as arrogant when they do display confidence. This creates a narrow window of acceptable behavior that can be exhausting to navigate. Building Self-Awareness: The Key to Success The solution isn't to diminish your confidence - it's to develop acute self-awareness about how your behavior lands on others. This involves: Regular Feedback Loops : Actively seek feedback from trusted colleagues, mentors, and team members about how your communication style is perceived. Emotional Intelligence : Develop the ability to read the room and adjust your approach based on the situation and audience. Authentic Humility : Combine confidence in your abilities with genuine curiosity about others' perspectives and contributions. Collaborative Mindset : Confident individuals acknowledge their strengths and those of their colleagues, while arrogant people ignore other people's thoughts, opinions, and feelings. Practical Strategies for Confident (not Arrogant) Leadership 1. Lead with Questions : Instead of immediately sharing your expertise, ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate your knowledge while inviting others to contribute. 2. Acknowledge Others' Contributions : Make it a practice to recognize and build upon others' ideas before sharing your own. 3. Show Vulnerability : Share your learning process, mistakes, and growth areas. This humanizes your competence and makes you more relatable. 4. Practice Empathy and Active Listening : Demonstrate that you value others' input by truly listening and responding thoughtfully to their contributions. 5. Context-Adjust Your Communication : Modify your approach based on your audience, their experience level, and the specific situation. The Long-Term Perspective Looking back at my undergraduate experience, I realize that while my intentions were good, my approach lacked the nuanced understanding of how confidence can be perceived differently by different people. The most effective leaders aren't just competent, they're skilled at helping others recognize and develop their own competence. True confidence isn't about proving you're the smartest person in the room; it's about creating an environment where everyone can contribute their best thinking. It's about being secure enough in your abilities to lift others up rather than positioning yourself above them. Moving Forward The line between confidence and arrogance will always be somewhat subjective and context-dependent. However, by developing greater self-awareness, practicing authentic humility, and continuously seeking feedback, we can navigate this line more effectively. Confidence is about believing in yourself and your abilities while remaining open to growth and collaboration. Arrogance is about believing you're better than others and that your way is the only way. The former builds bridges and creates opportunities; the latter burns them down. In today's collaborative workplace, the leaders who thrive are those who can project confidence while maintaining humility, share their expertise while remaining curious, and stand firm in their convictions while staying open to new perspectives. It's a delicate balance, but one that's essential for long-term professional success and meaningful impact. #leadership, #Power, #confidence #communication This article is part of my Wednesday P.O.W.E.R Up series "The Fine Line Between," exploring the subtle but crucial distinctions that shape our professional lives. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences on navigating confidence and arrogance in your own career journey. If you enjoyed this article subscribe to my Newsletter P.O.W.E.R Up and follow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlakshmispeaks/ https://www.instagram.com/drlakshmispeaks/ https://www.youtube.com/@drlakshmispeaks3921?app=desktop https://www.drlakshmispeaks.com/