27th August, 2021

We’re recording a video today. One of our team has just finished their Masters thesis project and, as well as doing the traditional stuff of writing a paper and giving a talk, we’re creating some videos for the longer term. This also serves to capture the interested audience who are uninterested in reading papers. There is something more important than all of that though, and it’s what I want to focus on today.

In making such videos, the opportunity presents itself for you (as the leader) to put those in your case in the spotlight. Nathalie, who led the project for which we’re filming today, made a brilliant leap from what we (as a team) are developing and a completely new application area, namely Forensic Science and Policing. A wide pivot away from our prescribed and prolonged efforts in the Pharmaceutical space, it took Nathalie to spot the opportunity. Spot it and act on it…she did!

To hear about the work, the story, the inspiration from them rather than through you is a chance to let the fullness of their efforts be truly heard. It tempers your ego and builds their confidence. Creating these videos is also a gift of sorts. It’s not merely ‘content’, it’s an asset. As these people in your care move to new opportunities and build their own leadership skills in whatever career(s) they wish to explore, they will have this additional asset at which to direct potential employers, collaborators, partners, and cofounders. A two-minute video now might give the tremendous leverage needed to help set them apart when they need it most.

For whom might you be able to gift a career-long asset?

If you have a question for Marc, upload an audio recording for it to be featured on a later Q&A episode!