Leadership Skills Investment

It still blows my mind that scientists do not understand the value of investing in their team leadership skills. If you have built a solid team of hard-working, intelligent, people who are all passionate about similar things, why wouldn’t you invest in their interpersonal side of that skillset? The return would be exceptional! Imagine a team of people, management included who were comfortable providing feedback, sharing new ideas, accepting responsibility, were efficient and motivated to commit to the mission continuously.

Science is built on the technical skills but can grown significantly on stronger interpersonal ones. We need to address reasons for high turnover, poor communication and collaboration, and disgruntled staff. I know it is impossible to make everyone happy, but when you don’t even put in the effort to become better communicators then the excuses just get old.

“Yeah, we need that training, but they’ll never go for it.”

THEY are threatened by strong leaders but you do NOT have to be in a position of power to be a person of influence. Speak up for stronger leadership training and explain to the decision making teams WHY and HOW it will provide value to your organization.

It’s time to stop making excuses and start moving forward.