How do we make ourselves seen and heard, both offline and online? TOPX Jr. ambassador Alex Cloherty interviewed European Patent Attorney Patricia Ringeling and Executive Voice & Communication Coach Mariska Wessel on these topics.

Being seen at conferences, meetings and in publications is quite common for Life Sciences professionals. However, only a few of the female professionals are currently listed as (co-) inventors. In Patricia’s line of work as a patent attorney, she observes that women do not always claim their spot as inventors, even though they might be one. Inventorship analysis can be a bit of a grey area, but should be done according to the research work and not only claiming credit. Patricia reminds us that inventorship does not only bring visibility but can also be used to profile ourselves as ‘innovative’, which could lead to more funding.

Patricia Ringeling: "Do not negotiate with yourself upfront and come to the conclusion that you cannot have a seat at the table"

One of our most important tools for being heard is of course the voice. Mariska uses her own training as an opera singer to help people optimize the use of their voices. In her framework, she differentiates 4 types of voices that should be implemented in their speech:

• Voice of Empathy (warmth/ connection)
• Voice of Authority (strong/ not too aggressive)
• Voice of Reason (clear message)
• Voice of Inspiration (call to action)

It is important to note that it will require some exercise, but that it is possible to train your breathing and voice. A famous example of someone benefitting from voice training is former Prime Minister of England Margaret Thatcher, also known as the Iron Lady. See below for steps to find your leadership voice with confidence and authenticity.

1. Be present: Allow a comfortable breath with good posture.

2. Find your voice: Speak on your breath. Use intentional pauses, articulation and punctuation of words.

3. Connect to the message: Tune in with what you believe and it will show in your voice and body.

Mariska Wessel: "Unleash your voice and commit to what you want to share with the world"

In the discussion, both Mariska and Patricia mention that how you want to be visible and perceived, should match with your personality. Your communication strategy can be adjusted to this. For example, if you prefer writing over speaking, commit to a strong social media presence by posting frequently. When you do have many speaking obligations, make sure there is some planned time to recharge from this.

Our discussion concludes that we should not be afraid to claim our voices and make them heard.