• Question: Hi do you think manners are important? And is grammar, e.g. saying your instead of you're? Are you an independant worker, leader or team player. I'm an independant worker, and I think manners and courtesy is important and I think some people forget that xxxxxxxxx Joanna

    Asked by alicejoanna97 to Gioia, Iain, Jo, Leo, Mariam on 20 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Iain Moal

      Iain Moal answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      I think manners are important. Grammar is important in the professional world, but my grammar probably won’t be very good on I’m a Scientist, because I have too many questions to answer and I don’t have time to go through them all.

    • Photo: Leo Garcia

      Leo Garcia answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      Manners are extremely important in any job. In science, we generally have to work with other people to get our jobs done, so being able to work with people in a courteous, productive way (even if you don’t really like them) is of great importance.

      Grammar, spelling and knowing how to write scientifically is also very important. Language is our tool for communicating our results to other scientists, and so if we cannot transmit our findings effectively (through writing clearly), then we are failing as scientists.

      Being independent is just as important as working effectively as part of a team in science, as you will find both skills come into play at different times. Being a PhD student is generally about working independently, but as I move on in my career, I will need to work more as part of a wider group of researchers and, in the possible distant future, as the head of my own team!

    • Photo: Joanna Watson

      Joanna Watson answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      Hi Joanna.

      Yes, I think manners are very important. The world is a much nicer place to be when everyone is nice to each other.

      I like good grammar, but I’m not great at writing, so I think the most important thing is to try your best to make sure other people can understand you. Writing things clearly is a really important skill for scientists and most of us spend our whole lives trying to do it better.

      I think that I’m a good independent worker and team player. Have you been doing personality quizzes at school? Is that how you know you’re an independent worker?

    • Photo: Mariam Orme

      Mariam Orme answered on 20 Jun 2010:

      Hi Joanna,

      I agree that manners are very important, and it really bugs me when people have bad manners. The other day, I was walking behind someone; he went through a door and didn’t bother to check if there was anyone behind him, so the door slammed in my face. I thought that was SO rude!

      I also think good grammar is essential… bad grammar can lead to things being misunderstood. Though I’m sure I’ve been guilty of writing it’s instead of its, or vice versa, when I’ve been in a hurry and not paying attention.

      As for my working style, I’m an independent worker and a team player, depending on what situation I’m in, and I can also be a leader if necessary. It’s important in science, and in most jobs I imagine, to be flexible about how you work.

Comments