When it comes to science, diversity makes all the difference. Nowadays, scientists from many different cultures and backgrounds collaborate on common goals. But among their objectives, they all have something in common. That each one of them knows how to behave as a professional scientist! In other words, they all behave “scientifically.” 

Here are those traits that help you behave like a good scientist and be considered as one:

||Keep Updated

A good scientist would never stop learning. Actually, a really great one would never remain uninformed about the new discoveries and advances. Science changes constantly, and being updated is a must. That implies hard work, since scientists should keep studying their fields constantly in order to investigate further.

|| Be Organized

Scientists should not only follow scientific methods, but also find their own ways to make the most out of their researches and working plans. They are usually proactive, decisive, and efficient workers.

|| Be Skeptical

Curiosity leads scientists to question not only what they observe, but also what they already know. A good scientist may be willing to refute their own ideas if something doesn’t look so obvious. Being open minded should be a first rule for scientists.

|| Take Risks

In order to find out new ways, methods, and fields of study, some risks need to be taken. Scientists should be ready to change all their paradigms and pursue new lines of inquiry if the evidences lead to it.

||Play the Rules of the Game

To become a great scientist it is necessary to act like one and participate in all the stipulated research processes. That includes writing and presenting the researches and results, which are sometimes considered hard and tedious tasks by many researchers.

|| Collaborate and Work in Groups

Science benefits from the diversity of perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds offered by researchers. Communication and collaboration are really important for plenty of reasons, and therefore scientists should not be solitary workers. In order to succeed in a scientific career, it is important to collaborate with colleagues.

|| Act with Integrity

Academic misconduct and professional behavior are not compatible. A professional scientist should always work on the benefit of science and not in order to only make a name for himself. Even though some scientists are involved in cases of corruption and professional misconduct, many others still fight everyday to demonstrate the value of their work and the honesty of their profession.

Being a scientist is a matter of vocation for many. However, it is important to remember that it is a challenging career. It requires a lot of effort and dedication. Scientists combine a passion for science with rigorous work on the ground. The qualities needed to be a good scientist include both a curious personality and a disposition to work hard scientifically!

|| Weaknesses

Superiority. They prowess in the area of intellect, logic and reason is unarguable and definitely among their chief strengths, as is their confidence in their ideas. However, these strengths can turn into weaknesses when they morph into a superiority complex. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon. They may be arrogant and condescending, as well as impatient with people who don’t catch on as quickly as they’d like. With those who demonstrate less ability to think logically and rationally, they may be particularly judgmental and intolerant.

Emotional Distance. They are also known for their low EQ and unwillingness to engage the emotions—their own or others. Preferring to conceptualize the world on a logical, rational basis, they tend to have little patience for emotional concerns. They struggle to pick up on and respond to the emotional cues and needs of others. This can stifle interpersonal relationships, as well as their own growth and development, and may end up keeping others at (at least) arm’s distance.

Perfectionism. While the meticulousness of them can be a strength, as in all things, too much of a strength can easily become a weakness, and for them, this natural fastidiousness quickly becomes perfectionism, and in this they can be quite fierce and painstaking. Their standards in general are exacting and this critique may be directed not only toward themselves, but toward others as well. 

Imbalance. They places a high priority on work and will be quite devoted to his or her professional life. But this comes at a price, namely in time that might be spent on family, other relationships and leisure. It is easy for them to find him or herself with misplaced priorities and, as a result, relational problems. While their drive to succeed professionally can certainly pay off, it can take a toll on the rest of their lives.

|| Growth and Development

In order to reach their full potential, they should:

Go outside of themselves. They are internal processors and accustomed to finding the right answers or the best plans within their own minds. However, such a constant internal focus can mean they may miss important details, as well as the potentially insightful and helpful contributions of others. To improve their own ideas and plans, they should seek input from friends, family and colleagues. Though they has full confidence in his or her own abilities, conferencing with others can breathe new life into a stale approach and can help to uncover blind spots. 

Go inside. They don’t naturally introspect deeply or spend much time considering their emotional state. They focus internally on their many ideas and abstract concepts, but when it comes to looking at themselves and their feelings, they often avoid the activity. Out of touch with their own blind spots and character defects, they can be quick to find fault with others. One solution is to work on cultivating humility and compassion.

Balance. It is easy for them to become completely consumed with work or some project or plan that he or she has devised. In the moment, this will feel exhilarating for the individual, but may have consequences for personal wellbeing and relationships in the long run. They should strive for better work-life balance. That also means, as mentioned, taking time to examine his or her emotions and responses. It won’t come naturally, but will help interpersonal relationships immensely. 

Pick their battles. It is not necessary to argue every single point, though their thinking nature will compel him or her to do so. This is the default response of their perfectionistic hyper-logical nature. Thus, to better navigate all areas of life, the individual may need to understand that sometimes you have to let the small things go so you can accomplish the big things in the long run. 

If it ain’t broke…and even if it is. They may need to resist the desire to be continually improving and changing. Their view on potential and possibilities for all products, systems and people, leads them to want to always be fixing and “improving.” What they may not realize is that not all people want to be fixed and not all companies want greater efficiency.