I had the privilege of running a session with the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Science last week. It was called “Lead like a Scientist,” and we explored skills that most scientists possess that also serve them well as leaders. One is experimentation.
My favourite go-to for this topic is Adam Grant’s Think Again, but I’d also point you to Adam Alter’s chapter on experimentation in Anatomy of a Breakthrough.
One fun moment in the workshop came in response to my question, “What is an experiment you’ve tried recently, outside of your job as a scientist?” For some people, the answers came easily — for others, less so.
How would you respond?
My answer involves experimenting with various locations and setups for remote work. My husband Tim and I have created three different work/travel experiences of just under a month each in three different cities (two in Canada, one in Europe) in 2024. It was fun to debrief yesterday on our flight home about what we’ve learned. (For example: Stay in one place each time rather than moving around frequently. If family members join us, don’t plan to work on those days. Book accommodation big enough for us both to be on Zoom calls simultaneously without disturbing each other or needing to sit on a bed while running a workshop. We love the feeling of being on vacation without taking time off. No need to find ‘the perfect spot’ if we are only there for a few weeks — we’re not planning to move!) For us, this is all part of intentionally experimenting our way through these early empty nest years, sorting out what suits us well at this new stage without feeling the need to commit to a new rhythm for the long haul.
This approach lines up with William and Susan Bridges’ work on transitions. They identify liminal seasons as highly creative times — not only well suited to experimentation, but also to lightness and playfulness to make them “better than bearable!”
Need some experimental inspiration? Have a browse through Experiments in Reflection by Leticia Britos Cavagnaro or Creative Acts for Curious People by Sarah Stein Greenberg — both published by the Stanford d.school. They’ll set you on your way.