Name: LisaMarie Turk

Title: Founder, Data Scientist

Organisation: Nurveau, LLC; ICON plc

LisaMarie Turk, PhD, RN, CSSGB is a data scientist at ICON plc and the founder of Nurveau, a company at the nexus of healthcare, human intelligence, and technology. Trained as a nurse, her career evolved into data science, reflecting her dedication to leveraging technology to enhance healthcare. As an entrepreneur she combines her healthcare expertise with advanced data analytics to innovate within the industry.

Her leadership is characterized by resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to excellence. Through Nurveau, she aims to dismantle limiting systems, unlocking human potential through empowering individual and organizational growth and advancing her field.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope LisaMarie's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

Embarking on my leadership journey has required overcoming self-limiting beliefs while endeavoring to strike a balance between fostering innovation and maintaining a steadfast, reliable approach. In our dynamic field where technology merges with healthcare, change is the only constant. This evolving landscape necessitates leadership that is both innovative and agile. Simultaneously, it's crucial to preserve a sense of consistency and dependability that clients can rely upon.

On a personal note, this journey, transitioning from a healthcare background into the realms of data science and business leadership, has demanded confronting and overcoming my own self-doubts and limitations. It has involved not just learning new skills but embracing a new way of thinking. This internal growth has been as vital as external progress, ensuring that I not only embrace these changes but do so in a manner that reflects the core values and high standards of the Nurveau brand and ethos.

This path has highlighted the importance of combining strategic foresight with empathy and understanding, along with a firm commitment to challenging personal constraints. It's about creating an environment where innovation is a tangible, lived experience, balanced with the clarity, expertise, and nuanced care clients expect. Each day brings new learning opportunities and growth, making my role as a leader in this data-driven healthcare landscape both a challenging and deeply fulfilling journey.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

My leadership journey unfolded from a commitment to nursing and healthcare, fueled by a desire to enhance health outcomes and achieve health equity. This dedication, coupled with the comprehensive training from my PhD program and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, ignited a passion to enact broader change. I ventured into the world of data science to explore how technology could intersect with healthcare to address systemic disparities and unlock human potential with no limitations.

The concept of Nurveau emerged from this exploration — a manifestation of my vision to leverage technology and healthcare intelligence to break down barriers and empower individuals and organizations. The transition to entrepreneurship was a natural progression, driven by a deep-seated urge to actualize the insights and objectives of my academic and professional journey. As a solopreneur, I began to lead by uniting my clinical expertise with data analytics, aiming to innovate and advocate for systemic change. My ascent to leadership was driven not by the pursuit of a title but by a relentless pursuit of impact, guiding me to become a catalyst for change in the health-tech landscape.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

My ideal workday structure is a curated blend of rituals and routines, drawing from the Full Focus Planner system and the Flow Research Collective, yet it's adaptable, acknowledging the fluidity that leadership demands. This structure serves as an anchor, providing a template from which I can pivot when unexpected responsibilities, learning opportunities, or emergencies arise.

Morning:

I start with mindfulness and intention-setting exercises, aligning with my ideal day's framework. Reviewing my Full Focus Planner, I pinpoint the Big Three tasks of the day, understanding that while these are the focus, flexibility is key. A physical workout follows, charging my body and mind for the day ahead, yet I'm prepared to adjust this for early meetings or pressing family needs.

Workday:

I enter deep work sessions early in the day, targeting complex tasks during my peak concentration hours. This focused time is essential, but I remain ready to shift gears for urgent matters. Scheduled breaks punctuate my day for mental recovery, vital for maintaining flow and performance, and I keep these as consistent as possible, knowing they're crucial for sustained productivity.

Evening:

As the day transitions, I review my progress, using the Full Focus Planner, calendar, and digital project management tool not just as a record of achievements but as a tool for strategic realignment.

Night:

My wind-down routine is intended to nurture restful sleep, involving reading and gratitude journaling. However, I embrace the need for flexibility—some nights are for addressing late work emergencies, others for family care. As I am prone to insomnia, the nighttime ritual is of utmost importance in preparing for any of the other elements of my schedule and routines.

Throughout my day, self-compassion and radical acceptance are my companions, allowing me to navigate the unpredictable with grace. While I strive to optimize my day for flow and peak performance, my routines are not rigid schedules but ideal scenarios that provide stability and a baseline for adjustments. They are the 'anchors' that keep me tethered to my intentions, enabling me to return to my planned structure as soon as the tides of leadership duties allow.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

A key leadership lesson I have recently re-emphasized is the interplay of storytelling, vulnerability, and a clear understanding of purpose, both in business and life. In the dynamic sectors of healthcare and technology, I have recognized that leading effectively hinges on the clarity of your purpose and the authenticity of your narrative.

Working with a brand strategist and storyteller challenged me to refine my purpose, emphasizing that clarity in what I stand for is crucial. This process highlighted that leadership extends beyond mere decision-making; it's about weaving personal experiences and lessons into a narrative that underscores my journey and purpose. This approach not only guides business strategies but also aligns with broader life intentions, creating a cohesive and authentic leadership style.

Embracing vulnerability and being open to learning has further enriched my understanding of leadership. It is about connecting through shared experiences and acknowledging that growth often comes from facing uncertainties and failures head-on. In sum, clarity of purpose and the ability to articulate it through storytelling are foundational to impactful leadership across all facets of life.