Last updated on Aug 30, 2024

Your team is at odds over research priorities. How can you bring everyone on the same page?

Managing a research team effectively requires a delicate balance between leadership, collaboration, and strategic decision-making. When your team is at odds over research priorities, it can lead to gridlock, frustration, and inefficiency. As a research manager, your role is to guide the team through these disagreements and find a consensus that aligns with the organization's goals. This involves understanding the concerns of each team member, evaluating the merit of different research directions, and facilitating productive discussions that lead to a unified research strategy. By bringing everyone onto the same page, you can harness the collective expertise of your team to drive innovation and achieve significant breakthroughs.

1 Assess Needs

Assessing the needs of your research project is the first step to resolving conflicts over priorities. Take time to understand the objectives, resources available, and the potential impact of each research direction. This involves engaging with your team to gather their insights and concerns. You must listen actively, acknowledging the validity of different perspectives while also considering the broader goals of your organization. By doing so, you create a foundation for informed decision-making that respects the expertise and interests of all team members.

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Arnol Simmons, MPH

Extensive experience in thought leadership, program and project management
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Bringing a team together when there's disagreement over research priorities requires clear communication, empathy, and collaboration. Start by facilitating an open discussion where each team member can express their viewpoints and concerns. Listen actively and identify common goals that align with the overall mission of the project. Next, work together to prioritize the most critical research areas by evaluating factors such as potential impact, resources available, and alignment with strategic objectives. Encourage compromise and be willing to adapt based on the collective input.

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Domenico DELLI CARRI

Employer Advisor
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By doing so, you create a foundation for informed decision-making that respects the expertise and interests of all team members and aligns with the user and business needs.

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2 Define Goals

Once you've assessed the needs, it's crucial to define clear, achievable goals. These should reflect both the organization's objectives and the research team's capabilities. By setting specific goals, you provide a common target for the team to aim for. Ensure that these goals are communicated effectively and understood by all team members. This shared understanding helps to align individual priorities with the collective mission, making it easier to navigate through differing opinions and focus on what truly matters for the success of the project.

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Arnol Simmons, MPH

Extensive experience in thought leadership, program and project management
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Finally, establish a clear, agreed-upon plan of action that reflects the shared priorities and ensure that everyone understands their roles in executing this plan. Regular check-ins and open channels for feedback will help maintain alignment and address any emerging conflicts early on.

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3 Explore Options

With clear goals in place, it's time to explore all possible research options. Encourage open discussion among team members to brainstorm various approaches. This fosters a collaborative environment where everyone feels their voice is heard and their contributions are valued. You must ensure that every option is considered on its merits, with a focus on how it aligns with the defined goals. This process can reveal new perspectives and innovative solutions that might have been overlooked if not for the collective input of the team.

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Stacy Prokopa

Head of Communications. I help B2C tech companies understand customer needs, find UVP, build a vibrant brand, and scale without increasing CAC. I have led teams in Ukraine, Poland, Spain, the UK, and Malaysia 💟
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If your team cannot agree on what type of research is necessary, begin by reminding everyone of the objective that has to be met. Introduce the current choices and compare them, speaking of their advantages and disadvantages, based on the facts. Suggest some consideration and collective discussion where one can speak about one’s concerns and what he/she likes. It is important to draw examples of other cases when the possible solutions were searched for till a positive result was found. An example of a situation where being flexible with the approach toward making the decision led to people’s consensus and everyone felt that their opinion was heard and considered before making the final decision.

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4 Make Decisions

Decision-making is a critical point in resolving research priority conflicts. After exploring options, you must guide your team in making choices that best serve the project's goals. This may involve compromise and negotiation to find a middle ground that satisfies the diverse interests within the team. It's important to make decisions based on data, evidence, and rational analysis rather than personal preferences. By leading the decision-making process with transparency and fairness, you help build trust among team members and reinforce their commitment to the chosen research path.

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5 Implement Strategy

Implementation of the agreed-upon research strategy is where your team's alignment is put into action. Develop a detailed plan that outlines each step and assigns responsibilities accordingly. This plan should be flexible enough to accommodate unforeseen changes while remaining focused on the end goals. Clear communication during this phase is vital to ensure that all team members understand their roles and the expectations placed upon them. Effective implementation relies on continued collaboration and the ability to adapt as the research progresses.

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6 Monitor Progress

Monitoring progress is essential to keep the research on track and maintain team alignment. Establish regular check-ins to review milestones, address challenges, and celebrate successes. This ongoing evaluation allows you to make necessary adjustments to the research strategy and reaffirm the team's commitment to shared goals. It also provides an opportunity for team members to voice any concerns or suggestions, ensuring that everyone remains engaged and invested in the project's outcome.

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Your team is at odds over research priorities. How can you bring everyone on the same page?

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1 Assess Needs

2 Define Goals

3 Explore Options

4 Make Decisions

5 Implement Strategy

6 Monitor Progress

Research Management

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