Leadership is challenging, but also very rewarding (when done well, which it is often not, which is why you should read this blog post, okay, that is enough for this caption, I suppose :) ). In my last two posts, I discussed something that is not emphasized enough in science - teamwork. In order to create rock star teams (I'm talking Rolling Stone level rock stars), we need to foster collective intelligence , the ability of a team to solve problems. We've already touched upon team processes ...

The lattice system — helping good ideas get to the top (or as I like to say to gatekeepers, "Hold my beer and watch this"). Imagine that you have the absolute best idea for your workplace. How do you pitch the idea to leadership? In a typical organization, a ladder-style hierarchy is often used. In this system, ideas need to go through gatekeepers before they can get to the top. The "gatekeepers" know exactly what makes a good idea vs. a bad idea... right?... right?! The science says...

Here's a wild idea - let's foster community over competition. Ever played Monopoly and think to yourself, hmm maybe this isn't the best Valentine's Day activity? Competition can be a great motivator, a form of entertainment, and a catalyst for progress. It can also lead to some unwelcomed consequences (Taylor Swift's Bad Blood comes to mind). It's a balancing act, a paradox , like so many things. Competition is a part of science. With limited funding, resources, skilled personnel, and the...