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Judith Bowman Enterprises
Fabulous Woman
Tel: 617-592-2101 E-mail: Judith Bowman
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2.“Smile, just smile,” she says. “There is never a reason to have a grim look.“
“Smile, just smile,” she says. “There is never a reason to have a grim look.“ 3.“I always reach out and initiate some conversation with everyone from the cab driver to the guy on the elevator, to the woman in the restroom I met brushing my teeth who works down the hall“ and says “I feel an obligation to make other people feel warm and comfortable.”
“I always reach out and initiate some conversation with everyone from the cab driver to the guy on the elevator, to the woman in the restroom I met brushing my teeth who works down the hall“ and says “I feel an obligation to make other people feel warm and comfortable.” Story:
“I was due to introduce a speaker I had invited to a high profile meeting and running late because I changed clothes three times and was going to walk. I was in the elevator and a young professional man got on my floor … asking how things were going, he complimented my outfit, etc. and I confessed I was going to be disheveled shortly because I was running late and had to literally run to get there on time. He offered to give me a ride which I declined because I was going in the opposite direction and said I would be fine… I would make it there by hook or by crook.” She continues, “so I took-off at a fast pace and a few minutes later, heard someone tooting a horn behind me which I ignored, and then heard it again.” She continued, “it was the young man who pulled up beside me and said, ‘I can’t let you be late for your meeting, jump in.’ He had come back from the opposite direction and took me to my meeting, all because of a little elevator conversation.”
The CEO goes on to say, “when you open yourself up to people in the smallest ways, it makes them feel good and they open themselves back.”
Working in a Male Dominated Industry
Ms. Nicholas says, “when I started, there were very few senior management executive level women leaders in the hospital world, other than a few nursing people or in Catholic/order facilities. This is changing dramatically with new models of care, clinical integration and evolving roles of hospitals … and even new designations ; the COO role and CNO roles are merging into a new hybrid role and many of those are held by women.
Overall, there are many, many more women executive leaders today… nearly 25% of Massachusetts Hospital CEO’s are women, which isn’t yet, as it should be” and adds, “but it is changing.”
The Health Chief shares, “throughout most of my career it has been men who have been helpful… It was the men who suggested I learn to play golf and invited me to play golf with them and their wives so it wouldn’t be uncomfortable or look awkward… It was the men who said, ‘come to a hockey game with us … you need to know about this sport.” The Mass Hospital Chief emphatically says, “men gave me my promotions, my opportunities and I am very grateful for all that.” The CEO candidly continues, “I will say, women (what few women there were) were not helpful to me. They were competitive and when I would move up the ranks and get a promotion they were jealous.” She candidly adds, “I have almost been brought to tears by things other women have done to me early on in my career.” Now, I have my own sphere of influence and I try to give back by actively by promoting women and actively participating in select women’s organizations.”
Joining Women’s Organizations
I never joined what few women’s groups there were back in the day because I thought they were not about ‘doing it’ and I was turned off by that.” Today, Ms. Nicholas remains selective and says, “with those groups I am involved, I find young women in particular, have amazing careers and amazing roles that once would have been inconceivable.” She is the liaison for the Massachusetts Women’s Forum to “Tomorrow’s Women Today.
What motivates you?
Ms. Nicholas says, “the career I chose is about ideals, caring for patients, delivering a great service, improving health status - all over the country.” She adds, “I chose this health policy work and I choose to also dedicate myself to meaningful issues which include substance use disorder and anti-smoking work because making a change and making a difference to me, is all about affecting other people’s lives and has nothing to do with monetary gain or title, or anything like that.”
The CEO is innately competitive, “not in terms of sports or teams” she says, but with herself. “I never had a career plan. My goal was always to simply be the best person in that job that ever was before … and so,” she continues, “when I was a lab director, I wanted to be the best lab director they ever had…when I was the Vice President of Professional Services I wanted to be that,” and goes on to say, “I didn’t focus on asking for promotions, I just really tried to stand out in that role and it always took care of itself.” The MHA Chief goes on to say, “I always got promoted or recruited by focusing.” She also made sure she got an advanced degree (Masters, Health Care Administration.)
“I am a change agent” she says. “I love working with teams of people to change the status quo and go from good to great… it’s feeling good and proud of what I do and being able to make a difference… Making changes - of all kinds, motivates me,” she says.
Adversity
I have had such a blessed life and experienced very little personal adversity although I was fired once, which was the best thing that ever happened to me.” Ms. Nicholas explains, “I wasn’t happy in that role, and what that taught me was that good people don’t fail - it’s a matter of fit.
Work/life Balance
To me, balance means balancing your work time and personal actions and not to allow your body to get run down so you will be fully there for other people, you will feel healthy and will feel good about yourself.
Exercise
“I place a high priority on my health and zealously guard my schedule to allow me to i.e. practice yoga, do pilates, take a spin class.” To that end, Ms. Nicholas says, “we have even created a healing initiative at MHA called “Take 30 4 U” which allows all employees to take 30 minutes off of their work day up to three times a week (morning, noon or afternoon) to exercise, and the number one user of “Take 30” is me!
She adds, “I organize my days so I can walk as much as possible, for example, if I I can, I cluster meetings in Boston that allow me to ride the T, I will walk between the meetings.”
Sleep
“I enormously value sleep and try very hard to get the requisite 7 – 8 hours. She goes on to say, “if I am on a business trip and get exhausted, I am not too embarrassed to tell my assistant I am going turn off my phone for a 20 minute power-nap.” I reference Ariana Huffington who also builds naps into Huffington Post’s employees days.
Lynn Nicholas
"When you open yourself up to people in the smallest ways, it makes them feel good and they open themselves back."
President and Chief Executive Officer, Massachusetts Hospital Association
Professional Style
Lynn Nicholas has a unique ability to make instant connections with perfect strangers… which is how we met! The MHA CEO speaks to that:
1. “How you dress is important,” says the MHA Chief. “I have always made it my practice to dress a level above the norm for the position I held… I would watch what other people wore and emulated this, but with my own sense of style and personality.” She goes on to say, “I don’t go with the latest fashion fad but wear classic cuts and classic colors” and adds, “the one rule I break is the ‘never wear brown’ rule… I wear brown a lot because in my role, I don’t want to come across as the power person, I want to come across as the person people trust.” Ms. Nicholas goes on to say, “Every night, I get my calendar out and dress for those I am meeting with the next day… I dress with intention.” She further states, “that’s also important because when I feel well-dressed and appropriately dressed, it enhances my confidence and makes me feel good about myself, and I believe that comes across.”
“How you dress is important,” says the MHA Chief. “I have always made it my practice to dress a level above the norm for the position I held… I would watch what other people wore and emulated this, but with my own sense of style and personality.” She goes on to say, “I don’t go with the latest fashion fad but wear classic cuts and classic colors” and adds, “the one rule I break is the ‘never wear brown’ rule… I wear brown a lot because in my role, I don’t want to come across as the power person, I want to come across as the person people trust.” Ms. Nicholas goes on to say, “Every night, I get my calendar out and dress for those I am meeting with the next day… I dress with intention.” She further states, “that’s also important because when I feel well-dressed and appropriately dressed, it enhances my confidence and makes me feel good about myself, and I believe that comes across.” 