Collaborative Norms

Refining our Norms: What are the core aspects to promoting excellence and belonging in our team? 

• Promote Empathy over Sympathy: Empathy is connecting with another person on a deep level to support them. It does not require for you to have lived the exact same experience, but it pushes you to get in touch with your own fragilities to support others. Empathy is a very relevant to working in a team and navigating the academic and professional environment. It involves prospective taking, remain free of judgment, and recognizing how the other feel and communicating it to them. It is very different than sympathy where you would retain an outside perspective trying to support your colleague. For more information, see the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZBTYViDPlQ&ab_channel=DianaSimonPsihoterapeut 
• Foster Open and Respectful Communication: We aim to connect with each other and discuss openly our excitement, appreciation, concerns or trouble alike. Constructive criticism + positive support. Talking about little things before they become big.
• Align Expectations: xxx
• Engage in Active Listening: Active listening is an important component of constructive communication and a core value of our group. It involves making a conscious effort to listen, to ensure understanding of the speaker’s intention. Active listening often includes maintaining eye contact, paying attention to what is said, as well as asking for clarification when there is a misunderstanding. We are dedicated to promote a safe physical and emotional space where active listening is used to support everyone and foster a supportive environment. For example, each one-on-one meeting starts with “check ins” where researchers have the opportunity to share anything they may want to talk about, positive or negative. This is not a “small talk” opening and should be taken as a opportunity to sincerely share whatever may be on your mind. Within the group, members are encouraged to engage in active listening to support each other and advance their research and learnings, whether scientifically or not. A short guide to active listening is given below.

• Trust and Delegation: Value collaboration and capitalize on everyone’s strength to grow our research expertise and learn.
• Cultivate Independence and Engage in Mentoring: xxxx
• Promote a Growth Mindset: xxx

 When you were in a high performing committee or team, what were the characteristics?

• Empathy
• Clear and Honest Communication, Realistic Expectations
• Trust and delegation
• Active Listening
• Making sure everyone is on the same page
• Admitting when you don’t know/you’re wrong/sorry
• Not giving advice unless they are asked for
• Constructive criticism + positive support
• Talking about little things before they become big things
• Willing to help you learn them

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