In the continuously evolving landscape of scientific research, the role of leadership is paramount not just in charting the right course but also in fostering an environment that breeds innovation. Whether inside the hallowed halls of academia or in the dynamic setups of private labs, leaders face the challenge of not only keeping up with rapid advancements but also ensuring their teams are cohesive, motivated, and aligned with the mission at hand. The book “Move Fast and Fix Things: The Trusted Leader’s Guide to Solving Hard Problems” by Frances Frei and Anne Morriss offers quintessential strategies that, while written for a broad leadership audience, are profoundly applicable to the realm of research leadership.
1. Identifying the Real Problem: The first step towards impactful research is understanding the core problem. In the scientific community, this translates into thorough literature reviews, recognizing gaps in the current body of knowledge, and identifying meaningful, high-impact research questions. Leaders should cultivate a culture of deep inquiry and critical thinking, encouraging teams to look beyond the obvious and question the status quo. It’s about recognizing that the most apparent issue might be a symptom of a more profound, underlying problem in research methodology, funding allocation, or thematic focus.
2. Building Trust with Stakeholders: In research, stakeholders range from team members, institutional leaders, to funding bodies, and the wider academic community. Establishing trust involves transparent communication, ethical research practices, and consistent delivery of quality work. Research leaders must also advocate for their teams, securing necessary resources, and defending the integrity and relevance of their work. Building trust internally also means crediting team members for their contributions and creating a psychologically safe environment where open dialogue, especially concerning failures and uncertainties, is encouraged.
3. Creating Inclusive Conditions: Diversity in research isn’t just an ideal; it’s a catalyst for innovation. Leaders should strive for diverse team compositions, not just in demographics but also in academic backgrounds and thought processes. Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration can lead to breakthrough innovations, as complex problems often require multifaceted solutions that a homogenous group might miss. Additionally, inclusive conditions mean accommodating different working methodologies and understanding individual needs, thereby maximizing each team member’s potential contribution.
4. Telling a Compelling Story: A narrative is a powerful tool, even in the data-driven world of research. Leaders must master the art of storytelling to secure funding, engage the public, and inspire their teams. This involves translating complex data into compelling narratives that highlight the significance and potential impact of their work. Whether pitching for a grant or publishing a paper, an engaging narrative can differentiate a project in a sea of competitors, attracting both resources and talent.
5. Executing with Urgency: In a field where the landscape is continuously evolving, a sense of urgency is critical. However, this shouldn’t be confused with haste that compromises quality. Instead, leaders must create efficient workflows, prioritize tasks, and set clear, achievable goals. Implementing agile methodologies can help maintain progress and adapt quickly to new information or changes in the research environment. Importantly, urgency should be coupled with patience, recognizing that groundbreaking research is often a marathon, not a sprint.
By integrating these strategies, leaders in science can foster research teams that are not only efficient but also innovative, resilient, and deeply engaged in their work. Whether in academia or private sectors, the principles of quick, thoughtful action, trust, inclusivity, compelling storytelling, and urgency can set the stage for breakthrough discoveries and advancements that extend far beyond laboratory walls. In the race towards innovation, the leaders who move fast and fix things are the ones who’ll shape the future of research and, indeed, the world.
Jadson Jall, PhD 