Listen "Becoming Incredible: Balancing Leadership, Growth, and Community with Paul Faronbi"
Episode Synopsis
"How can we embrace mentorship, self-reflection, and inclusive leadership to amplify our impact as scientists?"Today on the Science with Impact Podcast, Paul Faronbi, better known as IncrediPaul®, shares how research scientists can lead with intention, foster inclusive communities, and grow personally and professionally.From his work as a chemical engineer in R&D to founding Nala STEM and coaching young professionals, Paul offers candid insights on mentorship, self-care, and integrating your values into your impact.Who is this for?Research scientists looking to mentor and inspire the next generation of STEM leadersGraduate students and postdocs exploring how to align personal growth with professional impactScientists and educators building authentic, supportive communities beyond the benchWhat’s it about?Paul’s journey from chemical engineering R&D to founding NALA STEM and establishing the IncrediPaul brand underscores the importance of mentorship and community. He emphasizes the importance of balancing technical skills with ongoing development in communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence, while also practicing self-care, gratitude, and faith as essential components of sustainable leadership. Navigating current challenges to DEI initiatives, Paul advocates for staying true to inclusive values and embracing growth as a continuous process, finding joy along the way.🔑 Key Takeaway:Leading with intention, mentoring with empathy, and nurturing your own growth can transform you—and the communities you serve—far beyond the bench.Time Stamps:00:00 Introduction to Paul Faronbi01:54 Balancing Multiple Roles02:25 The Importance of Self-Care03:27 Journey into Podcasting05:07 Life as a Scientist06:27 Challenges in STEM and DEI08:32 Leadership in Tough Times14:22 Path to Becoming a Scientist19:32 Building Communities in STEM24:34 Advice for Young Professionals33:32 Balancing Technical and Soft Skills35:50 The Compound Effect: Small Steps to Big Changes37:36 Gratitude and Reflection in Leadership37:47 Relentless Solution Focus: Shifting from Problems to Solutions41:59 Nala STEM: Building a Supportive Community48:08 Faith and Leadership: Integrating Personal Values58:47 The Journey of Personal Growth and Development01:09:16 Collaborating Beyond STEM: Bridging Worlds01:14:15 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsGuest:Paul Faronbi, Ph.D. | Chemical engineer, leadership coach and podcast host at IncrediPaul®, and founder of NALA(STEM).Host:Vanessa Rosa, Ph.D., is the founder of Science with Impact, where we partner with research organizations to translate STEM advancements into measurable societal benefits beyond academia.🙌🏽 Want to collaborate?If you know of a research organization seeking support in:Measuring (program evaluation, statistics/data analysis, and reporting) orCommunicating (illustration/animation, data visualization, and presentations)the impact of their STEM research, click here to connect them with Dr. Rosa. ❤️ Love the cause?Our mission is to provide grants and supplemental awards to research scientists and organizations that have a broader societal impact. To support this mission, we've established a nonprofit. Click this link to donate to a specific initiative.🙌🏽 Enjoying the content?Here are 3 things you can do to help other research scientists see this content:Click here to subscribe to the newsletter and receive case studies, conversations, and resources for broadening the societal impacts of STEM research.Subscribe to or review our podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, or Substack to help others interested in impactful science find us!Do you know someone who embodies the phrase "impactful scientist?" If so, please click here to nominate a speaker.Thank you for all you do to broaden the societal impacts of STEM research.Sincerely,The Team at Science with Impact