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Systematic discovery.
The engines of applied innovation. They solve complex external problems using rigorous protocols, combining the creativity of an artist with the discipline of a scientist.
Imagine a team of scientists in white coats working methodically toward a cure. They are deeply focused on exploring the unknown (Innovation), yet they refuse to do so chaotically. Instead, they rely on rigorous safety protocols, peer review, and documentation (Structure). They care deeply about the market application of their work, ensuring that their inventions aren't just novel, but actually solve real-world problems for their stakeholders. They bridge the gap between 'blue sky thinking' and 'shippable product'.
Understanding what each letter in ESCN means for your team's identity.
Values market, stakeholders, and external impact
Values process, predictability, and defined goals
Values democracy, buy-in, and inclusive decisions
Values discovery, disruption, and creative solutions
They are the organization's safest path to the future. Unlike chaotic innovators who might burn the building down, 'The Lab' validates every step. They excel at solving complex, high-stakes problems where failure is expensive. They prove that something works empirically before the company bets the farm on it.
Their dual desire for Innovation (New) and Consensus (Unity) can lead to endless cycles of testing. They may validate a solution until the market opportunity has passed, terrified of releasing something 'imperfect'. They struggle to ship 'MVP' (Minimum Viable Product) versions because they view incomplete work as a failure of professional standards.
How this team type typically operates, communicates, and makes decisions.
Academic, precise, and nuanced. They use caveats, citations, and data to support every claim. They rarely make absolute statements, preferring to speak in probabilities and hypotheses.
Peer review. They debate the methodology and the logic rather than the person. However, they can be stubborn if they believe the data supports their view, requiring new data to change their mind.
Intellectual and constructive. They crave deep critique of their ideas but can become defensive if the feedback feels shallow, rushed, or purely commercial.
Scientific consensus. They want the entire team to agree on the data interpretation before moving to the next phase, which ensures high confidence but slows velocity.
This team identity excels in the following contexts and industries:
Practical advice for leading and getting the best out of this team type.
Impose artificial deadlines to force 'Good Enough' shipping decisions.
Protect them from the chaos of the business side; let them focus on the problem.
Remind them that 'speed' is a feature of quality, not an enemy of it.
They must learn to value 'velocity of learning' over 'perfection of output'. High-performing Labs treat the market launch as just another experiment in the series, rather than the final exam that determines their worth.
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