What I Have Learned . . . in My Journey as a Scholar

Abstract

This chapter allows for a reflection on the many lessons learned as an organizational behavior scholar. On the topic of doing rigorous, reliable, and relevant research, the focus is on the importance of organizational life eliciting interesting and relevant research ideas, the upside and downside of “high risk/high reward” research, how to “go big” theoretically, how to “go big” in methods, and the importance of realism and specific lessons learned in conducting both lab and field studies. Other topics such as learnings about working most effectively with coauthors, including addressing authorship issues candidly and upfront are addressed as well. Importantly addressing how having a full and balanced life is not only helpful in its own right but is helpful to one’s career is discussed. Last, just as importantly are the things to learn not to do, such as not holding on too long to projects that are not salvageable, not being a disagreeable reviewer, not looking to saying no to new opportunities. Indeed learning to try to actually say yes (judiciously). Ultimately the chapter exhorts scholar to be kinder to ourselves, and ends with the hope that these learnings from this author’s journey will spark ideas, offer insights, and help in the journeys of other scholars.