The Bond Factor: Connecting For Success In Life Sciences
By Wanda Shoer
In life sciences, where innovation and unpredictability go hand in hand, a straight-line career path is the exception rather than the rule. The industry often demands quick pivots, complex problem-solving, and resilience through setbacks. So, what does it take to not only survive but thrive? Enter the Bond Factor — a framework designed to equip professionals to adapt, connect, and persevere.
The Bond Factor centers on three core principles: adaptability, relationship-building, and resilience. But at its heart is the bond you create with yourself — the foundation for everything else. By understanding and staying true to your values and strengths, you build an anchor that enables personal and professional growth. This connection with yourself becomes the key to adapting effectively, building authentic relationships with others, and staying resilient when things get tough or don’t go as planned.
In this article, we’ll focus on the first principle of the Bond Factor: adaptability. Cultivating adaptability starts with the bond you create with yourself and can be your greatest asset in navigating unfamiliar challenges.
The Foundation Of Adaptability: Bonding With Yourself
Adaptability isn’t just a trendy concept; in life sciences, it’s a cornerstone of success. The industry’s evolving landscape—advances in biotechnology, shifting regulations, and unexpected hurdles—requires a capacity to handle change gracefully. To build this capacity, you need a solid foundation: a deep bond with yourself. This means understanding who you are, what you bring to the table, and what drives you forward.
Imagine adaptability as a muscle. To strengthen it, you need to start with a stable base, rooted in self-awareness. Knowing your core values and strengths provides that base. When you’re clear on these aspects of yourself, you can pivot as needed without feeling untethered or losing your sense of purpose. You can also approach challenges more strategically, confident in your abilities to meet new demands.
To begin building this foundation:
- Identify Your Core Values: Reflect on what truly matters to you and what you stand for — values like integrity, curiosity, or rigor. These serve as your internal compass, grounding you when external circumstances are uncertain.
- Acknowledge Your Strengths: Seek input from trusted colleagues and mentors. Ask them, “If you needed my help with something, what would it be?” Their perspective can reveal strengths you may overlook and affirm what you naturally contribute.
This self-knowledge is crucial for adaptability, allowing you to flex and adjust without sacrificing what makes you unique.
Adaptability In Action: Trusting Your Strengths
Adaptability goes beyond simply reacting to change; it’s about being proactive and deliberate in uncertain circumstances. Rather than feeling helpless or anxious, adaptability enables you to lean into your strengths, making change work for you.
Early in my career, I transitioned into a new role where I had little experience in the specific field. I was given a cross-functional project with a tight deadline, which required coordinating among subject-matter experts. Instead of being overwhelmed by the knowledge gap, I drew on my strengths — research, connecting people, and simplifying complex information. I reached out to colleagues and formed an informal “advisory board” of technical experts to guide me. Through weekly sessions, I quickly absorbed the information I needed to lead the project.
This approach highlighted the power of self-trust in adaptability. By leveraging my strengths and drawing support from others, I found a way to succeed without pretending to know it all. Adaptability, in this sense, is not about faking confidence; it’s about trusting your ability to learn and grow with the resources you have.
Exercise: Reflect And Check
After navigating any challenging situation, take a moment to reflect and ask yourself:
- “Which of my strengths helped me in this situation?”
- “How did I stay true to my core values?”
- “What new skills or insights did I gain?”
Reflecting on these questions consistently helps reinforce the bond with yourself, and over time, strengthens your adaptability.
Strengthening Adaptability Through New Experiences
Adaptability is also a skill that can be intentionally developed by pushing beyond your comfort zone. In life sciences, this might mean volunteering for a project outside your usual scope, joining a cross-disciplinary team, or seeking opportunities to work with new technologies.
An early lesson for me came from studying abroad. Initially, I was intimidated by the language barrier and the unfamiliar environment, but with time, I learned to thrive. This experience taught me that even when I felt unprepared, I could rely on my curiosity and resilience to adapt. Now, I apply the same principle in my career, where adaptability is about embracing new ways of working and seeking out opportunities to grow.
Practical Exercise For Growth
Consider taking on a role, project, or task outside of your comfort zone. Commit to it with a mindset of curiosity and growth rather than perfection. Use it as an opportunity to observe how you adapt, what strengths you bring to new challenges, and where you might improve.
Staying Open-Minded: The Key To Long-Term Adaptability
Adaptability thrives on a flexible mindset. In a field where yesterday’s solutions may no longer be relevant, maintaining an open mind allows you to continuously adjust to emerging trends, new regulations, and evolving patient needs.
For example, when leading enterprise-wide initiatives that require input from multiple stakeholders, I’ve found that asking for and reflecting on feedback is essential. I routinely ask, “Why was this feedback shared?” and “What can I learn from this?” Staying open to new perspectives allows me to improve continually while staying grounded in my core values.
Checking Yourself
Every so often, perform a “self-check” on your actions. If one of your core values is integrity, ask yourself, “Did I stay true to my standards in this situation?” If collaboration is a value, “Did I make an effort to hear all perspectives?” These checks ensure that even as you adapt, you remain aligned with your values.
Adaptability In Life Sciences: A Mindset for Success
Throughout my career, transformation has been a recurring theme — transforming ways of working, evolving teams, and, most importantly, growing myself. Embracing change has opened doors I never anticipated, making the journey fulfilling.
In life sciences, where challenges and innovations continually reshape the landscape, adaptability is essential. By forming a strong bond with yourself and developing a resilient mindset, you can navigate change, build authentic connections, and overcome adversity. Remember, adaptability isn’t about knowing everything; it’s about trusting your capacity to learn and evolve.
By embedding this mindset into your work, you’ll find that adaptability becomes second nature. The Bond Factor can serve as a guide in the journey — helping you embrace change confidently, connect with others meaningfully, and ultimately, drive success in both your career and the larger life sciences industry.
About The Author:
Wanda Shoer is currently serving as the Chief Learning Officer at Sanofi, bringing over 20 years of experience. Prior to joining Sanofi, Wanda held various leadership positions across multiple functions, including Human Resources, IT, and Talent Development, accumulating experience in both in-house and consulting roles focused on organizational change and process improvement within the pharmaceutical and investment banking sectors.