Why Staying Silent Was Her Favorite Mistake: Dr. Tia Warrick on Career Growth and Speaking Up

My guest for Episode #304 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Dr. Tia Warrick, a clinical research leader, epidemiologist, author, and entrepreneur who has spent nearly a decade working in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

Episode page with video, transcript, and more

She’s the founder of Lesous Consulting, a firm dedicated to supporting clinical research professionals and organizations through education, business analytics, and strategic consulting. With a strong academic background—including a doctorate in health science and clinical health education—Dr. Warrick is committed to empowering the next generation of researchers and bringing more awareness to the vast career opportunities within clinical research.

In this episode, Dr. Warrick shares her "favorite mistake"—not speaking up for herself early in her career. She candidly reflects on a time when she took on significantly more responsibilities than her job description called for but hesitated to advocate for a promotion or raise. Her story highlights how staying silent led to missed opportunities and feelings of frustration. But more importantly, she explains how learning to take accountability and find her voice ultimately fueled her confidence, career progression, and entrepreneurial path.

We also explore the broader challenges and opportunities within the clinical research industry, especially for early-career professionals who may not realize the variety of roles available. Dr. Warrick discusses the importance of mentorship, the need for greater visibility into clinical research career paths, and her motivation for writing Burst the Bubble, a book designed to inform and inspire future talent in the pharmaceutical world. She also touches on how she now teaches others to confidently advocate for themselves—whether during salary negotiations or while shaping their career direction.

Questions and Topics:

• What’s your favorite mistake, and what did you learn from it?
• Was your early role as a clinical research coordinator before or after your advanced degrees?
• When did you realize you should have spoken up for yourself sooner?
• Was there a mentor or moment that helped you come to that realization?
• After receiving a small raise, did you try to advocate for more or take another path?
• Do you share this lesson with students or early-career professionals you mentor?
• How do you coach others on negotiating compensation and advocating for themselves?
• Why is it especially important to speak up early in your career?
• What are some misconceptions people have about roles in clinical research?
• How do you raise awareness about the breadth of opportunities in the field?
• How strong is the job outlook in clinical research, and how might AI impact it?
• What was the inspiration behind founding Lesous Consulting?
• What leadership lessons have you learned so far as a new entrepreneur?
• How do you create a culture where people feel safe to speak up and share feedback?
• What does psychological safety look like in your company and classroom?
• Can you tell us about the AI platform you’re developing and how it supports clinical research?