ABOUT THE EPISODE:

In this episode of the Empowered Presence™ podcast, host Melanie L. Denny chats with Dr. Adaira Landry, a Harvard emergency medicine professor and author. Dr. Landry shares her personal journey from a young UC Berkeley student to a mentor and advocate, emphasizing the value of mentorship and representation.

ABOUT DR. LANDRY:

Adaira Landry, MD MEd is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Harvard Medical School and a Physician at Brigham Women’s Hospital. Her academic interest focuses on mentorship of early career professionals. She has been awarded for her dedication to mentorship and education.

Dr. Landry speaks nationally on mentor-mentee relationships and strategies for career development. She is a healthcare contributor for Forbes. She has published in Academic outlets such as Nature, Science, New England Journal of Medicine and for the general public audience in Vogue, Teen Vogue, Harvard Business Review and Fast Company.

She is currently co-authoring a book for early-career professionals to navigate the workplace, MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact with Harper Collins. She is also a wife and a mother to 3 children. She hopes to raise her 3 children to understand and value the importance of supporting others in need.

Order Dr. Landry’s book, Small Actions, Big Impact on Amazon

Follow Adaira on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adairalandrymd/

INSIDE THE EPISODE:

As the host of the Empowered Presence™ podcast, I've had the privilege of speaking with many inspiring individuals, but my recent conversation with Dr. Adara Landry truly stands out. Dr. Landry, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School and a physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital, joined me to share her journey and the profound insights from her upcoming book, "Micro Skills: Small Actions, Big Impact."

From Academic Excellence to Advocacy for Change

Dr. Landry's story is one of determination and resilience. Raised with a strong emphasis on education, she was accepted to UC Berkeley at just 15 years old. The transition from her conservative Southern California upbringing to the liberal environment of Northern California was significant, and it was during her college years that she faced the challenge of understanding mentorship and taking charge of her career development.

The Value of Mentorship

One of the most impactful moments in Dr. Landry's life was meeting her first mentor, a black woman who invested in her and helped her realize the importance of having someone who understood her struggles and aspirations. This experience ignited Dr. Landry's passion for mentoring and supporting others, a theme that resonates throughout her career and writing.

Representation Matters

During our conversation, Dr. Landry emphasized the significance of finding mentors who share similar struggles and backgrounds. She highlighted the importance of building a diverse network of mentors and seeking support from individuals with different skill sets and perspectives. As a woman of color in a predominantly white environment at Harvard, she understands the need for connections with those who can relate to the subtle ways one might feel excluded.

Proactive Networking Strategies

Dr. Landry shared her proactive approach to networking, including using social media and seeking recommendations from existing connections. These strategies have been crucial in building a supportive network and advancing her career.

Writing as a Tool for Impact

The journey to becoming a published author was not without its challenges. Dr. Landry candidly discussed her initial insecurities about writing, which began with a remediation English class at UC Berkeley. However, the murder of George Floyd was a turning point that inspired her to start writing, leading to viral articles and her growth as a successful author and advocate for change.

"Micro Skills: Small Actions, Big Impact"

Dr. Landry's upcoming book is a testament to her belief in the power of small actions to create a big impact. Initially targeted at early career professionals, the book has found a wider audience, resonating with people at all stages of their careers.

Balancing Motherhood, Medicine, and Mentorship

As a wife and mother to three children, Dr. Landry shared personal anecdotes about finding balance and setting boundaries. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing and being mindful of current priorities, a lesson that has served her well as a working mother.

Advice for Building Your Personal Brand

For women of color looking to build their personal brand and make an impact, Dr. Landry's advice is invaluable. She encourages taking a pause before accepting opportunities, asking questions, and assessing alignment with one's goals and purpose. Nurturing one's network and giving back to others is also crucial.

Understanding Workplace Dynamics

Understanding the priorities of supervisors and aligning with them is key to success in the workplace. Dr. Landry shared a story about a colleague who secured a job by recognizing what mattered most to their supervisor. Effective communication, including understanding body language and engagement, is also essential.

Anticipating the Book Launch

The excitement is palpable as we anticipate the release of "Micro Skills: Small Actions, Big Impact." Dr. Landry will be discussing her book at an upcoming launch event at the New York Public Library with Emmy award-winning CBS business analyst Jill Schlesinger on the 17th at 6 pm.

Thank you for reading, and if you found this episode insightful, don't forget to Subscribe to the Empowered Presence™ podcast for more updates and resources on personal branding.

TIMESTAMPS:

Personal Journey and Early Achievements (00:02:14)

Dr. Landry shares her early academic successes, challenges, and the influence of her upbringing on her journey.

Challenges and Discoveries in College (00:04:12)

Dr. Landry discusses her transition to college, the challenges she faced, and the lack of mentorship in her early career.

Realization of Self-Responsibility and Mentorship (00:06:21)

Dr. Landry reflects on the importance of self-responsibility and her first impactful mentorship experience.

Importance of Representation in Mentorship (00:09:08)

The significance of finding a mentor with similar struggles and the impact of representation in mentorship relationships.

Building a Diverse Support Network (00:11:27)

Dr. Landry emphasizes the value of diverse perspectives in building a personal board of directors and support network.

Navigating Workplace Challenges (00:13:49)

Dr. Landry shares her experiences as a woman of color in a predominantly white workplace and the need for understanding and support.

Strategies for Networking and Advocacy (00:19:05)

The use of social media and proactive networking strategies for self-advocacy and building a strong professional network.

Journey to Writing a Book (00:21:42)

Dr. Landry discusses her writing journey, from early academic challenges to the decision to write her upcoming book.

The struggle with writing (00:22:23)

Dr. Landry discusses her initial struggle with writing and how she overcame it.

Writing impactful articles (00:23:23)

The discussion revolves around Dr. Landry's journey into writing impactful articles and the positive reception she received.

Growth as a writer (00:25:16)

Dr. Landry reflects on how writing has improved her analytical thinking and her focus on the reader's experience.

The book "Micro Skills: Small Actions, Big Impact" (00:27:40)

Dr. Landry introduces the book and its target audience, emphasizing its relevance for professionals at different career stages.

Balancing motherhood and career (00:28:47)

Dr. Landry shares her experience and insights on balancing motherhood, medicine, and mentorship.

Making informed decisions (00:34:26)

Dr. Landry advises the audience to pause and ask questions before accepting opportunities, emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making.

Importance of networking (00:39:16)

Dr. Landry stresses the significance of nurturing and giving back to one's network for professional success.

Chapters in the book (00:41:01)

Dr. Landry discusses the book's chapters, including self-care, task management, and the importance of understanding supervisors' expectations.

Understanding Supervisor Priorities (00:42:09)

Importance of understanding supervisor priorities for success in the workplace.

Navigating the Workplace (00:43:09)

Discussion on the interconnectedness of individual, team, and work dynamics in the workplace.

Book Launch Event (00:43:59)

Details about the upcoming book launch event at the New York Public Library with special guest speaker.