Balancing Innovation and Execution: A Guide for the Research Scientist

The life of a research scientist is complex, filled with ideation, implementation, and an abundance of daily tasks. However, one can harness these complexities to unlock greater productivity and satisfaction. The key lies in balancing two vital modes of operation: Innovation and Execution.

Innovation Mode vs. Execution Mode: The Dichotomy

Imagine your work life as having two distinct modes. The Innovation Mode is where you act as the mad scientist, the dreamer, the artist, the intellectual. You brainstorm equations, let ideas ferment, read academic papers, have open-ended discussions with colleagues, and dwell in a world driven by serendipity, uncertainty, and infinite horizons. Contrarily, Execution Mode casts you in the role of a building site foreman, high school teacher, or news editor. Here, you are writing documents, sharing, editing, writing code, debugging – creating tangible artifacts from your innovative ideas.

Interweaving the Two Modes

Instead of choosing one mode over the other, the secret lies in interweaving them. Switch between these modes at regular intervals, which could span hours, days, or even weeks. This dynamism is directly related to progress. For instance, in innovation mode, one should concentrate on what's pivotal for progress in execution and vice versa, promoting an accelerated innovation cycle.

However, one must also remain adaptive. External factors might occasionally force you into a mode contrary to your plan. In such situations, recognize this pull and make intentional adjustments. Both modes come with daily overheads like emails and meetings. The trick is to discern when these tasks destabilize the mode you're in and recalibrate accordingly.

Creation in Execution Mode

In the Execution Mode, the goal shifts to artifact creation, which could range from a research paper to a dataset. These artifacts are vital, capturing the essence of what intrigued or inspired you during your innovation phase. Importantly, these artifacts are meant to be shared. The sooner, the better. And while creating them, grant yourself the liberty to be imperfect. In the realm of research, perfection can be elusive. Hence, Execution Mode is about reconciling with imperfection and working towards improvement.

However, it's crucial to understand what Execution Mode isn't. Daily tasks such as checking emails or claiming expenses are overheads, not execution. Likewise, mere short-term gains don't encapsulate the spirit of execution. Execution is about today’s realism blended with the long-term vision.

Finding the Right Proportion

While a 1:1 ratio might be a good starting point, the balance between innovation and execution varies for everyone. Some might thrive in a 2:1 ratio or even more skewed proportions. The objective is sustained execution. Often, we find ourselves hastily executing tasks due to external pressures. While this approach has its moments, it doesn't always lead to our best work. Regularly creating artifacts, akin to exercising a muscle, can help in producing better outputs when external situations demand them.

The Driving Force Behind Balancing Innovation and Execution

What motivates this method of interwoven functioning? At its core, it's the desire for sustained professional fulfillment. By communicating our ongoing work and creating artifacts, we not only gain external direction but also an implicit understanding of what truly works. Amidst the myriad distractions life presents, tapping into our innate motivation is the key to thriving professionally.

Conclusion

To lead a fulfilling life as a research scientist, I’m always looking for a rhythm between dreaming and doing. By distinguishing between Innovation and Execution modes, and then seamlessly blending them, I try to achieve an equilibrium. In doing so, I hope to not only enjoy discovery more but also bring it to greater fruition.