Do You Want to Be a Science Leader? Lead Yourself First

Being a science leader requires much more than having a successful research track record. It involves combining technical and interpersonal skills and the ability to inspire, motivate, and direct others toward a common goal. But this whole journey starts well before leading people: it begins with leading yourself.

Self-awareness

Self-awareness is the starting point for a science leader. It involves being mindful of your thoughts, emotions, and actions and how they impact others. As a leader, you must understand your strengths, weaknesses, values, and motivations. You must also be aware of how you communicate, work with others, and respond to stress and challenges.

Self-management

To be a science leader, it is essential to manage emotions effectively. Scientists, like everyone else, experience a range of emotions, from excitement and joy to frustration and anger. Regulating these emotions, especially in stressful situations, can help you make more thoughtful decisions, maintain positive relationships with others, and build trust and respect.

Self-accountability

Another critical aspect of self-leadership is to be accountable for your actions. Leaders who take responsibility for their mistakes and own up to their failures demonstrate integrity, honesty, and commitment. This, in turn, builds trust and credibility among team members, peers, and stakeholders.

In addition to self-awareness, self-management, and self-accountability, a science leader must also be able to learn and grow continuously. This includes developing technical and interpersonal skills and keeping up-to-date with the latest advancements in the field. It also means seeking feedback from others and being open to constructive criticism. The ability to receive and act on feedback is critical to leadership. It can help you identify areas for improvement and make the necessary changes to achieve your goals.

Being a science leader starts with you and your ability to define your own path, your “what,” “why,” and “how.” These definitions are the basis of the leader capable of leading people and organizations. The leadership journey can be long, but as the phrase ascribed to Laozi indicates, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” and that single step is you.