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1/ for what it’s worth, I don’t think being nice is strictly about pleasing others and being courteous. For me, it’s also about professionalism, easy collaboration, and inviting challenge. In fact, that last one might be the most important, particularly with #Science...
2/ I want to be receptive on every counter idea to my own. This is why invest so much time speaking to those with opposing views. I want to understand where they’re coming from and why. Many of my strongest opinions came from trying to defend its opposite unsuccessfully...
3/ And I’m certainly not perfect at this, I always feel like I could do a lot better.
Sometimes a friendly debate goes south and I spend the rest of the day thinking about what I could do or say differently to keep that from happening in the same way again.
Sometimes a friendly debate goes south and I spend the rest of the day thinking about what I could do or say differently to keep that from happening in the same way again.
4/ But I will say being earnest in trying to understand others and where they are coming from pays big dividends.
Yes, the cost can be enduring lots of grief along the way. For some, my demeanor, data, and overall argument are less important than whether their position is mine
Yes, the cost can be enduring lots of grief along the way. For some, my demeanor, data, and overall argument are less important than whether their position is mine
5/ Yet there are many who find a good, courteous discourse quite refreshing and agree we should all be having more of them among those with differing viewpoints.
6/ Sure, to keep this going all the time I have to have a fairly thick skin as I won’t return personal attacks, pejorative name-calling, and I try my best to describe others’ actions without demeaning verbs or adjectives. Don’t think I’m 100% conditioned yet, but I try every day
7/ I am also very careful with sarcasm. While it usually gets a good, short term laugh, it often comes at a long-term expense. Thus, I typically reserve sarcasm for self-deprecating or friends I know will take it in good humor.
8/ Also, I do take a lot of hits from friends for being friendly with their enemies. But that’s easier to put up with when I’m clearly engaging everyone unconditionally, as long as it is productive. I’d like to think in the end, we’re all #TeamScience, even if we don’t agree how
9/ Lastly, this was always how I thought a good scientist should be.
And I can speak from experience here, it clearly has helped open many doors to advancing my research.
And I can speak from experience here, it clearly has helped open many doors to advancing my research.
