Collaboration

Collaboration was my big catch phrase in college. I loved the idea that different scientists with differing backgrounds would be able to get more done working together than they could if they tackled the job in parts. The group is more productive than the sum of its parts if everyone excited and participating. This was a counterintuitive idea for many of the folks I submitted proposal ideas to all throughout school. However, it turns out that fostering this idea of collaboration, and very much importantly, communication, has been a great help in my career. A large chunk of my time as a mine engineer involves coordinating contractors, technicians, management, and other engineers in order to get things done. Each one of those groups has an expertise, a sometimes dramatically different education and world view. And the difference between coordination and collaboration is that the individuals involved are closer to having an equal say in the outcome of the result. You can demonstrate this when you put equipment operators in the same room as an accountant and an operations manager. When the operator is given the ability to tell the manager 'no, because...' you have achieved collaboration. Collaboration is the only way to get projects done efficiently with the BUY-IN of everyone involved. These ideas must apply to science too.