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Radical innovation: crossing knowledge boundaries with ...

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� successful researchers have space/locations that enable cross-disciplinary<br />

working<br />

How to behave<br />

� coin novel, playful terminology - don’t assume disciplinary habits<br />

� leaders must be both bossy and motherly, patient and passionate<br />

� leaders must be interactive, social, <strong>with</strong> a light touch<br />

� be playful in early stages, engage in experiments and avoid theory<br />

� revel in reflected glory - requiring humility<br />

� be exploratory<br />

� embrace chaos<br />

� be humble - dominant ‘alpha males’ can be destructive<br />

� be patient - pain of learning multiple skills, not just waiting for outcomes<br />

� be brave - self confidence, and willingness to take risks (both costs and career)<br />

� prototype, incubate, learn - experiment and reflect<br />

� leaders must be cooperative, not competitive<br />

� leaders must be patient and supportive - “nice people”<br />

� leaders must be prepared to not be centre of attention<br />

� <strong>innovation</strong> agendas demand collaborative (feminine) social networking skills<br />

� leaders must be exceptionally secure<br />

� leaders must be keen to learn<br />

� freedom and flexibility (for serendipitous findings) arise from generosity<br />

Communication skills<br />

� consultants are skilled at translating <strong>knowledge</strong> across domains<br />

� teach students to communicate effectively<br />

� successful researchers have good interpersonal skills and communication skills<br />

� start <strong>with</strong> relationships not transactions to establish trust<br />

� establish personal professional networks<br />

� listen to others and explain yourself<br />

Being open<br />

� leaders must be able to say they don’t understand<br />

� expert outsiders are good at asking stupid questions<br />

� stay interested in the bigger picture<br />

� look beyond <strong>boundaries</strong><br />

� follow threads into other contexts<br />

Innovation and Interdisciplinarity 121

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