Another entry in our Guest Blog series, from Jennifer Grier, our Science Team Lead at CosmoQuest

At our excellent CosmoQuest staff Face-to-Face meeting in May, I received a small plushy stuffed squirrel. Many people did, in fact, as there was a large number of the cute little things on hand. Why? Because at one point, plushy squirrels like these had served as a source of companionship and encouragement to our leader Pamela, and she wanted to share that with us. I named mine Cecil.

Cecil the Squirrel. Credit: Jennifer Grier

Cecil is in charge of encouraging me to take professional risks. This is really tough for me, as by nature I am very cautious and circumspect. Too worried about “getting in trouble,” whatever that means. But taking on challenges and viewing failure as a part of growth is how great things are achieved.

I am reminded about this not just by Cecil, but by a small card each of us received at the retreat listing core values of the CosmoQuest Team. Here they are:

– Focus: Because we focus on only a few things at a time, we work well together and produce excellent work. We deliver valuable items sooner.
– Courage: Because we work as a team, we feel supported and have more resources at our disposal. This gives us the courage to undertake greater challenges.
– Openness: As we work together, we express how we’re doing, what’s in our way, and our concerns so they can be addressed.
– Commitment: Because we have great control over our own destiny, we are more committed to success.
– Respect: As we work together, sharing successes and failures, we come to respect each other and to help each other become worthy of respect.

It is in environments like these where innovation and positive change are really possible, because people are allowed to be human. Encouraged to be human – understanding that we need support, communication, respect, and room to express ourselves. Cecil understands this, and helps me be brave about forging ahead, taking risks, trying new approaches, and facing that ever present fear of failure. Cecil knows that’s how amazing successes are achieved.