Scientific Leadership...

Those that thrive are those that invest in themselves!

For physicians and scientists looking for a proven way to enhance their leadership soft skills and advance their careers, Stand on Strengths, is the leading coaching and strategy consulting service that provides clarity on unique strengths and confidence to lead authentically.  Unlike traditional coaches, with a business or human resources background, who don’t grasp the world of scientific research and development, I am a Ph.D. scientist turned Gallup-certified strengths coach.  I have successfully utilized my strengths in scientific leadership positions and career transitions.

Male scientist in a lab coat coaching female post-doc at a microscope on leadership soft skills
A female graduate student has her head down on her laptop because of bad scientific leadership

All Scientists Need a Coach...

The SOLUTION to all these quandaries lies in discovering and honing your unique strengths with a scientific leadership coach. By doing so, you can enhance your soft skills, drive personal and team performance, and increase your career and life satisfaction.

Hello, I'm a Scientist Turned Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach

I am Sara Hook, Ph.D., a scientific leadership coach with more than 30 years of experience in research and administration at 4 prestigious academic medical centers and the National Cancer Institute.  For the last 12 years, I have leveraged my own strengths in leadership positions and career advancement.  Along the way, I’ve realized that exceptional leaders are those who consistently strive to understand themselves.  They leverage their strengths, address their weaknesses, and lead with authenticity.  Instead of trying to emulate other successful leaders, they embrace their own individuality. However, as scientists progress in their careers, they often lack training in essential soft skills such as emotional intelligence and managing teams.  Moreover, they struggle to articulate strengths beyond technical expertise. That’s where I come in – I’m on a quest to transform the scientific leadership culture and the road to success is to Stand on Strengths!

Woman, a gallup-certified strengths coach, scientific leadership coach at stand on strengths, standing with long curly hair and glasses
Seated male receiving leadership coaching for scientists from a woman in business attire

Discover Your Leadership Soft Skills

Based on decades of research on high performing leaders and teams, Dr. Don Clifton of Gallup developed the CliftonStrengths assessment.  Utilizing data from this assessment and other appropriate analytical tools, I guide STEM leaders and aspiring leaders through a discovery process to better understand themselves.  As a result, they will advance their careers through increased emotional intelligence and enhanced managerial and leadership skills.  After consulting with leaders on their strategic goals, I work with their team members to uncover individual and group strengths to maximize performance and enhance career satisfaction.

The CliftonStrengths® assessment analyzes the 34 traits of leadership and delivers personalized reports tailored to your experience level. Similar to how your DNA makes you an original, the probability of finding another person with the same top 5 strengths in the same order as yours is 1 in 33 million!

How do I know strengths will work?  It’s transformed my life and it can do the same for you!  In fact, over 31 million people have benefitted from CliftonStrengths.  As a result, they are 6 times more likely to be engaged in their jobs and 3 times more likely to report an excellent quality of life!

YET generalized leadership development approaches don’t leverage your unique combination of talents!  As a Gallup-certified strengths coach, I will help you discover and hone your strengths to become a one-of-a-kind leader and achieve career success and personal satisfaction! 

Benefits of leadership coaching for scientists:

Career Transition and Scientific Leadership Coaching

Senior Leaders & New Leaders

Customized programs to meet specific needs of leaders and their teams.  Explore opportunities to refine your leadership soft skills and increase your organization’s productivity! 

Post-docs, Fellows, & Graduate Students

Group coaching empowers those entering the job market for short-term and long-term success.  Participants gain clarity and confidence in their soft skills and natural ways to market themselves.

Career Transition & Re-entry

Designed to help you explore career options that bring you contentment and joy as well as align with your purpose, values, and strengths.

Your situation is unique.  Book a free call to see how I can help you!

Your weaknesses will never develop, while your strengths will develop infinitely.

-Dr. Don Clifton

Information for HR Professionals