Essential traits for young researchers (that Chat GPT doesn't know about)

We asked ChatGPT to list five essential traits for young researchers, which included embracing curiosity, being resilient, networking, critical thinking, and collaborating… the following were not included in ChatGPT’s response. Instead, we have outlined five key traits that we believe will help young researchers thrive in the market research industry.

Confidence through competence

“Experts were once amateurs who kept practising.” – Amit Kalantr

What looks like confidence is actually competence. People often mistake confidence for competence or believe that we can “make” people confident without them going through the lengthy process of improving. Whilst our manager and colleagues can influence confidence, the greatest influence on confidence is the development of competence. Focus on continuous learning, practice, seeking feedback and setting clear goals with a mindset of embracing any challenges that come your way.

Want to feel better about delivering your next research project? Then know you are ready to perform. Confidence is a feeling; competence is a behaviour. 

Having grit

“Without effort, your talent is nothing more than unmet potential.” – Angela Duckworth

Grit is having passion and perseverance for long-term goals and working hard to make our goals a reality. Being talented does not necessarily mean you have grit, and therefore it is a trait that needs to be constantly worked on. Building grit requires us to have a growth mindset and means that we need to be willing to fail in order to grow.

Next time you are questioning your motivation, check in and see if what you’re doing aligns with your long-term goals.

Embracing chaos

“Our real discoveries come from chaos, from going to the place that looks wrong and stupid and foolish.” – Chuck Palahniuk

The power of familiarity lies in its ability to foster consistency and habit. However, it can also breed resistance to adapt and change.

Amazon embraces chaos by completely randomising how inventory is organised. When a box of laptops arrives at the Amazon warehouse, rather than placing the entire box on a designated laptop shelf, each laptop is randomly positioned wherever space is available. The random placement significantly reduces the distance to locate products as each item in the warehouse is tracked, finding the most efficient path to collecting all products to fulfil the order.

By embracing chaos, you are able to grow faster and effectively tackle challenges with a range of tools at your disposal. 

Being attuned to yourself

“You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.” – Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

Have you ever wondered what a typical 9-5 day looks like? In reality, each person's daily routine differs vastly from their colleagues'. Take Marissa, for instance, who prefers hitting the gym in the morning, whereas Roger prefers evenings. Marissa also finds shorter bursts of work with frequent breaks more effective, while Roger prefers longer stretches of focused work. Gone are the days when being the first one in and the last one out is expected. What truly matters now is discovering your own rhythm in a fast-paced industry and equipping yourself with the traits to not only understand yourself better but also to connect with those around you.

Finding your own unique flow alongside your colleagues will undoubtedly result in a more productive and harmonious team dynamic.

Values in action

“Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your habits, Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny.” – Gandhi

ESOMAR’s Research Got Talent initiative allowed us to truly reflect on our individual journeys and tap into our values. Our parents immigrated to Australia when they were younger and have instilled values in being resilient, courageous, determined, and always following a dream, no matter how hard it can get.

They would remind us how life-changing it was for them to be given a chance and an opportunity in a new country and the importance of extending opportunities to others whenever we can. We are passionate about making a meaningful difference for the next generation and truly believe that everyone can succeed if given the proper support and opportunity.

The insights industry has allowed us to come together and embrace our shared values to do more research for good, leading to a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction that is truly enriching.

Developing the traits to stand out in the market industry takes time and effort. Our message is clear: embrace fresh approaches to work and allow everyone a chance to flourish. The market research industry continuously evolves, offering limitless growth and learning potential!

“A rising tide lifts all boats.” – John F. Kennedy.

If you want to learn more about Research Got Talent, click on the link below.