How to Create a (truly) Collaborative Research Environment

Combining Hard and Soft Skills is the Key to a Collaborative Research Environment?

The research environment is a source of discoveries and innovations that positively impact society as a whole. In this environment, highly trained and specialized scientists work together to create a scientifically productive environment and advance their careers through their individual and collective achievements.

As in other scientific areas, the life sciences training focuses on technical-scientific background and, to a large extent, on specialization in one or a few areas of knowledge. This specialization is critical to solving complex problems, but problem-solving can be negatively affected without integrating different knowledge and experiences.

Collaborative work requires, in addition to technical specializations, the ability to integrate knowledge and skills through effective communication, leadership, and conflict management. These so-called "soft" skills, in general, are not part of the scientific training process and require additional, and often individual, effort to be developed through training and deliberated experiences.

Despite being known as soft skills, communication, leadership, and conflict management skills need to be developed through a combination of studies, practice, and reflection, which brings these skills closer to the so-called hard skills. In this context, soft skills move away from the term "soft" and approach the characteristics of other technical skills such as specialist skills. This approach evidences the deliberate effort required to develop soft skills and not just the simple experience or time of working in collaborative groups.

By integrating hard and soft skills, scientists can create value beyond the lab by fostering a connected environment that considers not just "What" is done but also "How" it is done. This environment can empower their careers by enabling them to engage, motivate, create psychological safety and effectively communicate a clear vision of purpose and goals in their groups. The positive effects of this integration occur through creating a more conscious environment individually and collectively, recognizing that each group member has individual needs and preferences that affect the entire group's results and, therefore, need to be considered.

Communication

Efficient communication, for example, considers the most appropriate channels to transmit information depending on the complexity and sensitivity of the topic. In addition to the most appropriate channel, for efficient communication, it is necessary to establish communication norms that reinforce respect, sincerity, and politeness daily. These norms need to be clear and agreed with the whole group to be effective.

Leadership

Leadership as a skill to be developed can be exercised by all group members as a form of attitude and not simply a formal position. By exercising leadership, group members take responsibility for the common goal, show genuine interest in their collaborators, agree or disagree cordially, and open space to hear ideas, share their voice, and encourage the same behavior in their group.

Managing Conflicts

A common misconception in collaborative groups is that a high-performing group needs to be calm and peaceful. To be innovative, a scientific group needs to promote conflicts about ideas, but not personal conflicts. However, in a group with individuals with different personalities, personal conflicts can arise, so that, if not well managed, they can negatively impact the entire group. The role of formal and informal leadership is also to manage the "temperature" of the group, keeping conflicts over ideas under control and seeking joint solutions to personal conflicts as quickly as possible.

Science is a collaborative enterprise by nature and, as such, cannot (and should not) be driven by a single voice. The collaboration of expert minds is essential to solving complex problems in the present and the future. Investment in training and the appreciation of soft skills in the research environment is fundamental. When we connect the technical and human factors within our laboratories, we can promote an innovative environment without jeopardizing our members' physical and psychological health. This connection directly impacts the productivity and quality of scientific research that ultimately transforms the world and generates a positive social impact.