What do you think?
Rate this book
Gorillas in Suits: The Road to Research Leadership
From the author of the controversial "Apes in Lab Coats" comes a witty and insightful exploration of the transformation from scientist to R&D leader. "Gorillas in Suits" picks up where "Apes in Lab Coats" left off, examining the unique challenges faced by scientists as they navigate the transition from the lab bench to the boardroom.
Key Concepts From "Gorillas in Suits":
The Transition to The move from scientist to R&D manager ("from lab coat to suit") is a significant shift that requires a change in mindset and behavior. Managers need to develop new skills and strategies to succeed in this role.
Cognitive Biases in The book highlights the impact of cognitive biases like confirmation bias, hindsight bias, and the Dunning-Kruger effect on decision-making. These biases can lead to poor choices and missed opportunities.
Understanding The sources emphasize that recognizing and understanding variability is crucial for effective R&D management. This includes understanding measurement systems, experimental design, and the dangers of setting misguided targets.
The Importance of Organizational culture plays a significant role in shaping innovation. The book contrasts Theory X (authoritarian) and Theory Z (collaborative) management styles and their impact on R&D. It also explores the "Gorilla Wars" that can occur during mergers and acquisitions, and the importance of promoting innovation from the bottom up.
Leadership as a The book presents the "Goldfish Bowl" principle, which emphasizes that a manager's actions are constantly scrutinized by their team. Employees are more influenced by what leaders do than what they say.
Translating Ideas into The book explores the challenges of translational research, where scientific discoveries are moved from the lab to real-world applications. It discusses the importance of collaboration, the high failure rates, and the need to learn from setbacks.
Cowboy The book critiques "Cowboy Science", characterized by a focus on quick results and novelty at the expense of scientific rigor. It highlights the dangers of pro-innovation bias, publication bias, and the lack of replication in many studies.
The Art of R& The book examines the tension between the unpredictable nature of R&D and the need for structured project management. It explores the importance of failure as a learning opportunity, and the challenges of managing scientists ("herding cats").
Mansions of The book critiques the current scientific funding system, which often incentivizes scientists to produce "mansions of straw" (impressive-looking but flimsy research) rather than robust and reliable findings.
Beyond these key concepts, the book offers a wealth of practical advice and tools for R&D leaders, for promoting innovation and avoiding common pitfalls.Strategies for communicating effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.Methods for managing risk and uncertainty in R&D projects.The APES (Abandon Pointless Exploration & Stop) protocol, a decision-making framework to help researchers avoid data dredging and false conclusions.
Key Concepts From "Gorillas in Suits":
The Transition to The move from scientist to R&D manager ("from lab coat to suit") is a significant shift that requires a change in mindset and behavior. Managers need to develop new skills and strategies to succeed in this role.
Cognitive Biases in The book highlights the impact of cognitive biases like confirmation bias, hindsight bias, and the Dunning-Kruger effect on decision-making. These biases can lead to poor choices and missed opportunities.
Understanding The sources emphasize that recognizing and understanding variability is crucial for effective R&D management. This includes understanding measurement systems, experimental design, and the dangers of setting misguided targets.
The Importance of Organizational culture plays a significant role in shaping innovation. The book contrasts Theory X (authoritarian) and Theory Z (collaborative) management styles and their impact on R&D. It also explores the "Gorilla Wars" that can occur during mergers and acquisitions, and the importance of promoting innovation from the bottom up.
Leadership as a The book presents the "Goldfish Bowl" principle, which emphasizes that a manager's actions are constantly scrutinized by their team. Employees are more influenced by what leaders do than what they say.
Translating Ideas into The book explores the challenges of translational research, where scientific discoveries are moved from the lab to real-world applications. It discusses the importance of collaboration, the high failure rates, and the need to learn from setbacks.
Cowboy The book critiques "Cowboy Science", characterized by a focus on quick results and novelty at the expense of scientific rigor. It highlights the dangers of pro-innovation bias, publication bias, and the lack of replication in many studies.
The Art of R& The book examines the tension between the unpredictable nature of R&D and the need for structured project management. It explores the importance of failure as a learning opportunity, and the challenges of managing scientists ("herding cats").
Mansions of The book critiques the current scientific funding system, which often incentivizes scientists to produce "mansions of straw" (impressive-looking but flimsy research) rather than robust and reliable findings.
Beyond these key concepts, the book offers a wealth of practical advice and tools for R&D leaders, for promoting innovation and avoiding common pitfalls.Strategies for communicating effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.Methods for managing risk and uncertainty in R&D projects.The APES (Abandon Pointless Exploration & Stop) protocol, a decision-making framework to help researchers avoid data dredging and false conclusions.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2024
23 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 10, 2025
'When statisticians don't find treasure, they stop digging, fill the hole, mark the spot and move on. In Cowboy Science, the digging only stops when we can hold aloft our Fool's Gold for all to see. Science? Nature? Maybe Cell?'
Displaying 1 of 1 review