Michelle Shaw is a wife, mother of three boys, and holds the primary financial responsibility of supporting her family of five. At nine years old, she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and instead of allowing the disease to rule her life, she was able to draw inspiration, drive, and motivation from it. This ultimately led her into the healthcare industry working to empower those dealing with this vary disease. Michelle is a Registered Nurse and has spent the past 14 years in a clinical support and sales role as the Principle Territory Manager for Medical Device Sales.
In her words…
Professional Responsibilities:
My professional responsibilities are to help people who need external insulin. I am the quarterback of our team and help develop “plans of actions” and education for health care providers and patients with diabetes. Helping others learn and use our technology is incredibly rewarding. I am responsible for a sales quota but that is driven towards by always helping patients with life changing technology.
Childhood:
The biggest impact was my parents divorced when I was 6 years old. It was difficult. I remember being sad often and wondering what I did wrong to cause this. My world felt crushed but that was only a part of my childhood. My world was not crushed, and I actually had loving parents who worked to give me the world, they just did it separately. I had an amazing grandmother on my mom’s side who was always willing to help, teach, learn, and help me grow. And my grandpa and grandma on my dad’s side helped me learn and develop in my faith. This established a foundation of faith, for me that I have used throughout my life to help me grow and stay strong in my beliefs.
Career Summary:
I used my nursing degree to break into the medical device sales in a clinical support role. After four years supporting our products by teaching patients and health care providers, I transitioned to the sales role – always being led by my clinical experience. I discuss our devices as options for therapy to both patients and health care providers and help them process sales orders for our life changing devices.
Are there any childhood contributing factors or events that led you to the success you have today?
November 1986 – I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I did not know at the time, but this chronic disease has taught me to be a warrior, to fight, to never give up, to get back up when I have been knocked down, that no matter how tired I am, I can overcome!! It has taught me to be competitive. It has taught me to prove that I can follow dreams and achieve them, despite people saying, “no way”. My Diabetes Diagnosis has led me to the strong, independent woman that I am today. It directed me to become a nurse to help others and to “give back” to other people with diabetes. Do I wish diabetes on others – NO, absolutely not, but for me, it turned out to be a blessing – teaching me and directing me to be who I am today!! It is a 24/7/365 everyday disease with no breaks – but that makes me stronger and a fighter!!
What have you sacrificed both professionally and personally at each stage of your career?
Family is most important to me, and because I have 3 boys, I have passed on the opportunity to advance in my career. However, I do not feel like I my career has been a failure by being in the same role for 10+ years, I feel my current role has the most freedom and flexibility to allow me to have career and be fully present with my family. I raise my hand and lean into lots of mini projects, pilot programs, etc., and feel these opportunities have given me the spark needed throughout my career to remain fulfilled in what I do, day in and day out.
How do you push through your worst times?
With my faith, prayer, God’s got me, my hubby’s support along with friends and my mom and dad!
What are your success habits?
Five years ago, I committed to myself to feel good – I work out every day – first thing in the morning. It keeps my mind alert and body feeling good. This allows me to take on the day with a positive mindset. Each day is different, and I have no idea what it will bring, but I feel ready to take it on – almost daily!!
How do you balance “domestic life” (wife/motherhood) and a career?
This is always a challenge. I am fortunate to have a stay-at-home hubby of 20+ years married and 14 years at home that loves raising our kids and does many of the domestic woman chores. We have role reversal. I still do chores and balance them early morning, late nights, and weekends. But I also had to lower my expectations (in my head) and realize we LIVE in our house and it does not have to be perfectly cleaned or organized. Making memories now is more important than being spotless. I am also fortunate with my career role is that I make my schedule and can be flexible to accommodate kid’s needs, appointments, meetings, sporting events, etc. I am blessed for sure.
What was one of your biggest challenges and how were you able to overcome it?
Overcoming the perception that “medical device sales” was a man’s world – 14 years ago. It better today, but when I first inquired about moving from a RN clinical support role to the actual Sales Role, it was not received well. I had to prove and overcome many obstacles to earn the promotion. I was able to prove that the clinical knowledge and personal knowledge was critical to sales success in my territory. Being invested in the opportunity is huge also. And in 2 years, I was in the Top 10% of the company winning some of the highest achievements possible in a sales position – President’s Club, not just once but twice!
What advice would you give to women trying to achieve your role and responsibilities?
Believe in Yourself. I once heard that a man will apply for a job he doesn’t qualify for, but women will not raise their hand or lean in until they know they meet all the requirements. Let me tell you friend, you can do it. Learn on the job. Raise your hand and step forward. Fake it until you make it, if needed. You are a fast learner and will be successful. If a man can do that, so can you! Believe in yourself!
What do you think is the most significant barrier to female leadership?
Herself!! Raise your hand and go for it!! Many top companies are working towards bettering equality and increasing women leadership. I am grateful my company is on the leading edge of this. The only way to see change it to be the change. Go for it!!
What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Treat others as you would like to be treated. All colleagues, no matter their role. In order to be successful, you most likely need a team, all pulling on the same strings. And have an open mind I have had great men mentors in the corporate world. Many are supportive of women being successful.
What is some advice you would share with young women entering a male dominated profession?
Talk with women who are successful in that role. Ask, ‘what is the most important piece of advice?’ For medical device sales, my advice is just go for it. You can be just as successful, if not more, than a man in the same role. Empathy is huge. Understand is important. Connections matter. All great traits for women. Believe in yourself!! See you at the Top!!
What is the most important characteristic, trait, behavior and/or skill a leader can possess?
Listening!!! Being trustworthy. Help find solutions to the problems you heard, even if it does not benefit you. It will go a long way.
Michelle Shaw
Registered Nurse
Principle Territory Manager for Medical Device Sales
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