Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
• Freedom to explore beyond the mainstream of conventional thought
• Ability to trust using shared vision and values
• Genuine curiosity and exploration of possibilities and opportunities
• Compelling commitment to make a difference
• Genuine self - awareness of differentials in thinking and learning styles
Some very creative people can lack discipline because they are not easily
controlled, preferring to be free spirits. In this case such people may better
serve the team in an advisory role.
5.
Courage
Great research teams face many challenges from inception of
their idea through to fi nal delivery of a successful product or procedure to a
patient. These challenges can often be daunting as the team faces adversity
after adversity. The ultimate measure of a successful team is how they face the
challenges of diffi culty, controversy, and uncertainty while maintaining their
honor and integrity. Moving a vision from concept to conclusion requires a
championing spirit, a strong commitment to the possibility not yet proven. The
championing spirit is focused on both collaboration and innovation. Champions
bring a confl uence of passion for the vision, strategy for moving forward
together, and commitment to the ultimate result [6, p. 82]:
Ideas do not propel themselves; passion makes them go. Passion is the fuel that
generates an intense desire to move forward, smashing through barriers and
pushing through to conclusions.
Tenacity and optimism in the face of adversity and unwavering commitment
to ideals in spite of the dark nights of the soul are qualities of the true cham-
pion. Edison, in his search for an ideal fi lament for the light bulb, “for eighteen
to twenty hours a day experimented with all sorts of materials. . . . He had to
fi nd the best type of fi ber. . . . He tested more than 6000 materials, and his
investigations on this one thing alone cost a small fortune” [7, p. 114]. Edison
was courageous and tenacious enough to experience over 6000 failed attempts
to get one right solution.
Resilience is another dimension of courage. Resilient people are typically
optimists, holding onto their vision and ideals when the skeptic has given up
[ 1 , p. 75]:
Great achievers understand intuitively that the human brain is the most pro-
foundly powerful solution-fi nding mechanism in the known universe. And
they recognize that persistence is the key to keeping that mechanism
engaged. . . . Optimists get better results in life; and the main reason is simply
because they are less likely to give up. As Dr. Martin Seligman emphasizes, pes-
simism is self - defeating because it “ short - circuits persistence. ” . . . The real key
is . . . to maintain our enthusiasm in the face of seeming failure. Resilience in the
face of adversity is the greatest long-term predictor of success for individuals and
organizations. Persistence in the process of experimentation, when desired or
expected results are elusive, is the way that resilience is expressed.
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