July 27-31

Jackie Ross
Aug 3, 2020
3 min read

Hi Gang,

How many times a day do you consider data? When attempting to solve problems, we often ask, ‘What does the data tell you?’ This is true of experiments and also of management. We track performance metrics like efficiency, capacity, productivity, quality, profitability… all critical for a well-functioning business. Charts like the below depict a tidy system that, in theory, ensures everything runs like a well-oiled machine.

Benchmarking roadmap. SOURCE: Adapted from Camp, 1989.

Have you tried to apply this chart to parenting? You might try printing this out and handing it to your kid with some crayons… you’ll get a more accurate depiction of how things play out.

Mood is difficult to track, tough to control, and doesn’t fit nicely into a flow chart. Good leaders know how to read a room, but that’s not the same as reading a Zoom. In a sliver of time, in a box on a screen, you get a tiny snapshot of someone with pretty limited information. Is my colleague happy? Does she enjoy her work? Is he engaged or just clocking in? “Looks like you’ve been missing a lot of work lately.” “I wouldn’t say I’ve been missing it, Bob.” – Office Space

But, I have good news! There’s an amazing approach out there, one we don’t really learn in school. But, it’s something you and your teams are set up to do well because scientists are wired to ask questions. The approach is called…

Just ask!

Hardly revolutionary, I know, but it’s not something that comes naturally to everyone. Kicking off a conversation with, ‘Hey, how are ya?’ doesn’t count. I’m referring to genuinely asking someone how they are doing, what has been going well, and what hasn’t. A little bit harder but even more impactful is the Share + Ask method (trademark pending…). It goes something like this: ‘We’re trying to make some family decisions about the fall, and it’s been really hard to know what to do given all the uncertainty. Some days, I feel like I’m dealing with a Zoom overload, so I’m reworking my schedule and changing some meetings to phone-only. It’s been fun to start a garden, though, and work on a few home projects. How are you guys doing? This is stressful time for everyone. What’s it been like for you?’

Confession: While this kind of conversation is not difficult for me, I am better at having it during a kitchen run-in or waiting for an elevator. Now, my conversations are mostly scheduled with a specific agenda. I’m a “cut-to-the-chase” person in meetings; I prefer to go right to the business at hand, establish next steps, and get on with things. But I’m leaving out the really important human questions that are just as important, if not more, to the best outcome.

We know the importance of clinical trial design in achieving a successful result. Putting the same rigor into organizational design is no different. Since a healthy organization is the desired outcome, gathering all of the data to support that outcome is the most sound way to ensure positive results.

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From the Community

Avidity Biosciences Appoints Jae Kim, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer – congrats, Sarah, Jae & team!
Recursion Acquires Vium Bolstering Its Efforts to Industrialize Drug Discovery – very cool development, Chris!

Food Fight – Send me yours!

This week’s winner comes from thought-leader and Tech Tonics co-host, David Shaywitz, who is half the man that he used to be (in a good way). He’s got his kids in on the action now.

Chef’s comments: “Vietnamese spring rolls – gluten free! Made by my kids last weekend!”

Point of View – What are you seeing out there? (Share anonymously if you prefer.)

This week, Erin Lavelle (recent COO of Alder) proves that Seattle is one of the most gorgeous places in the world. In July. 😉

Erin’s perspective: “Here are some views from lovely Seattle – the first is from a socially distant work meeting. The second is from my ‘office’ – also known as a chair.”