Principle 4 : respect the gaps in knowledge of others

Abstract

Respect the gaps in knowledge of others is a gentle academic principle that acknowledges that fellow academics bring different perspectives, strengths, and world views to the field. Diversity enhances workplace cultural experiences, projects and research. Respecting knowledge gaps gives value to collaboration (Priaulx & Weinel, European Journal of Futures Research, 6(21), 1–18, 2018) and shows that respect can lead to increased trust and ultimately a healthy working environment (Bond-Barnard et al., International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 11, 432–457, 2018). This aids in reducing the risk of tensions or conflicts that may emerge from differing disciplinary or theoretical lenses (Cooke & Hilton, 2015), such as disagreements on authorship, methodology, writing style, or data interpretation (Kyvik & Reymert, Scientometrics, 113, 951–967, 2017). In this chapter, we aim to provide insights and guidance for gentle academics seeking to create a more positive and productive working environment through respecting the gaps in knowledge of others. To this end, we examine the challenges that can arise when working with colleagues who have different viewpoints and levels of expertise. We discuss the benefits of embracing a mindset that values diverse perspectives and recognises the limitations of individual knowledge. Additionally, we present strengths-based approaches for fostering a culture of respect and collaboration such as creating a common ground, leading by example and recognising the value of supportive strategies such as mentorship.