“The ‘I don’t know how-ers’ and how we can fix it”

A few months ago, a now ‘ex-colleague’ (forever friend) was sharing some less than favorable work/team conditions with me, and I was struck by the realization that their experiences and concerns were like some I and others had. 

To save time, I’ll simply circle the rabbit hole instead of going down it.  If you’re in the industry, you can likely commiserate with the following scenario:

Step 1:  CRO awarded study.

Step 2:  Data Management team assembled.

Step 3:  Kick-off and our journey begins!

The road ahead is paved with timelines and clear expectations. The CDM team takes a collective step forward, staring down the first task.

Team Lead: “Ok team! Who’s ready to take (insert task here) and get us going?”

*Crickets*

*Team Lead checks to made sure mute isn’t on*

Team Lead: “John?”

John: “Well, geez I’d love to but, isn’t Mary the SME on this?”

Mary: “Wrong Mary! I don’t know anything about it”

John: “Gosh me either!”

Team Lead: “No problem, John. We have training for that!”

*Crickets*

Sound familiar?

Let me go out on a limb here and say that most of us aren’t born knowing how to do anything beyond the basic survival skills like eating, drinking, etc.  We all had to learn, to be taught everything else. But more than that, to really succeed in life we need the desire to learn something new and undiscovered. Say, our own little bit of Christopher Columbus within us pushing towards the unknown.

Our lives are driven by knowledge and education. Whether subconscious or conscious, the need is constant. It’s one of the many human traits that earns human beings the seat at the throne atop the universal food chain.

So then, at what point do we make the choice to stop learning? To stop pushing ourselves and asking for more than the minimum? When are we as professionals going to stop focusing on what we are or can be given and on what we can offer?

Are we afraid?

We’re told in school that success is the result of failing repeatedly until you don’t. With that said, that doesn’t necessarily translate into our industry. Numerous failures and you’re on the fast track to a PIP/CAP!

Are we complacent?

I tend to think of clinical research as a fast-moving entity. It typically requires us be constantly on our toes, expect sudden and difficult changes and try to stay twp steps ahead. If we are in the ‘mix’, there seems to be no time to even develop complacency.

Are we lazy?

First- gosh I hope not. Laziness doesn’t result in long-lasting employment. Not typically anyway in this industry. If you beg to differ by experience, I’d suggest that a conversation with managers and directors for your company could be in order. A contribution to the ol’ digital suggestion box.

What if I said that it may be because we’ve allowed the “Not me”, the “I can’t”, or the proverbial palms up shoulder shrug to be an acceptable response?

We are busy, we are dialed in, and we want to succeed. What if our need to hurry and move along, to find the ones that say “yes” so that we can delegate keep moving forward, is not only supporting the cease in experience and growth for our teammates but also slowly contributing to a feeling of ineptitude in the same folks from which we expect work?

If we simply focus on what is right in front of us and not take the time to look at the larger picture, we miss the opportunity make meaningful changes.

If we start politely and professionally insisting on rejecting the ‘No’, what then?

Then, the demand is on our shoulders to work side by side (temporarily) helping to teach the ‘thing’. Spending time we may feel as though we don’t have may be a sacrifice, yes. But it pays dividends. You’ve created a professional connection, countered a co-workers feeling of ineptitude and equipped them with a new and budding skill.

If we integrate this action into our study leadership or even into the bones of how we work we are bound to see change.

If we can be consistent, the next time you delegate you may find that your problem has shifted. Instead of crickets, you’re faced with multiple qualified teammates from which you must choose.

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