When you help someone you learn. To teach someone something you know, you learn it better. By explaining it to someone you get a better knowledge, a better perspective of it than what you had before. Everyone learns, it is a win-win. So why is it that individuals don’t share their knowledge, they don’t collaborate? Everybody is scared about their job- self preservation, that fear can’t mix with teamwork. We have to eliminate the ego and exhibit the humility that someone else knows something that we do not. We have to show no fear in being vulnerable with our teammates. We have to be committed to helping others to be the best they can possibly be. The culture of a team, group, organization should have the same standards for all. We all must have grit, humility, passion and perseverance for the long term goals. Each person’s unique qualities must be cultivated and then ask them to contribute those qualities to the team. We all must be true to our heart and committed to help others. This will take us to special places within the profession. (read a previous post… THE WELL)

Old history and traditions can sometimes get in the way of progress. Answers to questions are expected immediately, projects are expected to have quick results. Working in creative silos is counterproductive for today. Collaborative thinking in problem solving is not important, it is necessary.

In perfumery, collaboration is not where everyone gets the same formula and then go to their respective silo to work on it. Collaboration should be where two or three perfumers work together in front of one computer to come to the desired result quickly. There could be some dissension, but that is where we find growth in true collaboration. Collaboration creates opportunities from one another’s perspective which allows us to go forward with a single focus. The adjustments to the formula would be larger and more significant than when everyone works in their silos. We must change the outdated approach and status quo, change the process that has been going on before we had computers. We must eliminate fear so that trust and true collaboration can exist. We must eliminate fear so that true respect and love can exist. WE have a common goal. We are a family. That is our culture—the family. WE ALL SHOULD BE A RUNG IN SOMEONE’S LADDER.

I thank all my collaborators and all my wonderful students, with so much appreciation, for BEING A RUNG IN MY LADDER. I have learned much from all of you.

Categories: PERSPECTIVES Philosophical Perspective

ron winnegrad

Ron Winnegrad has been a Perfumer and teacher for 46 years. As a perfumer, Ron has been able to express the world he sees through a rainbow of olfactive and emotive visions. As a teacher, Ron has helped others to see fragrance through his own multi sensorial lens.