I'm the owner and Chief Executive Officer of Team Mastery, LLC a consulting firm dedicated to helping researchers and organizations build effective teams.
I was trained in oncology at the interface of infectious disease and cancer. Throughout my experiences in the human health sector, both in private industry and in the federal government, I've been drawn to roles that provide rich opportunities for collaboration and thinking strategically because they help drive innovation and they contribute to building partnerships across teams, departments and organizations.
At the National Institutes of Health, I was part of a team that engaged in identifying strategic research priorities, fostering creativity and innovation, enhancing collaboration by breaking down silos and re-establishing trust between teams, refining its organizational values, and building stronger unions with other government agencies. These efforts enhanced the impact of the critical environmental health research being done at the federal level.
More recently, I consulted with and trained individuals and teams in organizations to help them learn fundamental principles in leadership and develop their skills in effective communication and conflict management.
I started this organization because I am passionate about helping people gain a deeper understanding of the knowledge and skills necessary for effectively working with others. I have seen how impactful an effective team can be for an organization. Those who are able to manage challenging, high-stakes situations leave an extraordinary impression on their colleagues at work and in their community.
Trained as a molecular oncologist with a focus on genetic susceptibility to cancer, I discovered during my PhD training that my passions were not at the laboratory bench. Yet, my experience in collaboratively pursuing of the localization of and characterizing the human BRCA1 gene, set the stage for my future. It was true then, and I believe it is even more true today, we can accomplish more together than any one of us can accomplish alone.
I spent two years as an independent researcher before heading to the National Cancer Institute to support a newly formed organization that brought basic scientists together with clinical researchers into a single organization. The goal of this novel merger was to facilitate translational research. It was there that my interest in what was contributing to successful team functioning was sparked. What led teams to flourish or fail? What were they doing differently? How could those secrets be shared?
Over the course of my journey, two experiences further fueled my interest in helping people – especially scientists or those working in scientific organizations – attain their personal and professional goals. This included becoming a Certified Executive Coach followed by certification in guiding others to understand the essential role mindset plays in both our relationships and the work we do together.
These are the major milestones that have brought me to where I am today and may provide some insight into my interest in helping others achieve their goals.
Want to learn more about me? Visit my website lmbennettconsulting.com
