The biggest threat to a high-performing team may not be a lack of expertise. It may be assuming everyone understands the problem the same way.
Conversations with three technical leaders at SPIE Optics + Photonics revealed how misaligned assumptions can lead to bad decisions, delays, and wasted effort.
Start with shared language
Technical teams don’t always use words the same way.
Optical engineer Jim Hawley describes engineering as “a multilingual field.” Mechanical, electrical, optical, software, and systems teams may use different terms for the same thing. Systems engineers can help by enforcing consistent terminology and making sure everyone is referring to the same item in a specification.
Julie Bentley, a professor and former optical designer, sees a similar problem when technical professionals explain scientific concepts. She teaches students to start with concepts everyone knows before introducing more advanced material.
The goal isn’t to make everyone an expert in every discipline. It’s to make sure people understand what their colleagues mean.
Challenge assumptions
Shared terminology doesn’t guarantee shared understanding.