Teamwork gone awry

[Breuckelen]

I've been working on my current research project for nearly two years and I love the work I am doing and the fairly large team of people I work with.

I have one colleague who really likes new problems and challenges. It's a great quality in general, but she keeps working on my parts of the project. I think she just likes the change of pace and the new challenge since she's been working on her parts for so long, so I'm trying not to be upset with her, but I wish we would stick to the partitions we agreed to. It's not like she's finished her portions, we both have a lot still to do and I've been focusing on one of my sections, trying to wrap it up before moving on to the next. I've started to realize that she's doing my other section and is trying to keep it a secret from me. She'll ask me for pieces of data, code, or background information I have without giving me an explanation. She's done this to a lesser extant a few times in the past and I've always just chalked it up to her curiosity. In general I have a lot to do on the project and if she does a little work here or there on something that falls in one of my sections, that generally fine, but this time it's not just a small piece, it's one of my two deliverables for the project, half of my total contribution. It feels like I'm being scooped on my own project and it's hurtful.

I'm not sure how to proceed. Should I ask her about it directly? Should I work on that section like I have no idea she's doing it? Should I speak to our advisor? This project means a lot to me and I'm not sure she if she's just bored and wants to try out her hand on new challenges, if she thinks she'll do these sections better than I could or if she thinks this will help her authorship when we publish. 

I *really* want our team to be collaborative and supportive (as it has been in the past), so I'm looking for a solution that won't damage team dynamics (i.e. I don't want to make her look bad, but I also don't want to give up this part of the project).

Edited July 28, 2018 by Breuckelen

[Hope.for.the.best]

2 hours ago, Breuckelen said:

She'll ask me for pieces of data, code, or background information I have without giving me an explanation. She's done this to a lesser extant a few times in the past and I've always just chalked it up to her curiosity. In general I have a lot to do on the project and if she does a little work here or there on something that falls in one of my sections, that generally fine, but this time it's not just a small piece, it's one of my two deliverables for the project, half of my total contribution. It feels like I'm being scooped on my own project and it's hurtful.

I think that's where the problem comes from. You have unknowingly "allowed" her to have your data and work on your parts. Since she has done that in the past and you were apparently fine with that, she assumes that you will also be fine this time. I am not saying that she is right. I agree that she should stick to her part and you stick to yours. This is what it means by teamwork. Since you indicated that both of your parts still need a lot of work, you can still do something to "reclaim" your part. 

If I were you, I would meet with her privately to bring up the issues/concerns. It is very important that you don't go and confront her in front of other colleagues, as this will humiliate her and do damages for sure. Perhaps you could say something like, "I am aware that you have been working on such and such, which is supposed to be my part. I am thankful for your input and contribution, but I would prefer that we work on our own parts that we have agreed to." If she is genuinely curious and wants to take challenges, then she should realize at this point that you are upset, and hopefully, stop "scooping" your part.

I would not recommend going to your advisor directly as your very first step, especially if he/she is the type who likes to blame/criticize people. Your colleague would not be happy that you report her to your advisor and then she gets blamed. This is going to create tension between you two. However, if your advisor happens to be like mine, who is very good at dealing with people and managing conflicts, then bringing that up to your advisor on top of talking to her individually is helpful. What my advisor would do in this situation would be approaching her to find out where she's up to, and then reminds her that she should be working on her part. Of course, if things do not work out after you kindly talk to your colleague, then you have to bring that up to your advisor. 

Hope it works out. 

[HTM18]

I would talk to the advisor directly.

[Meraki]

I assume if she's busy with your parts, then she's not getting her own parts done and that will reflect poorly on her in the long run. Maybe ask how she's doing with her parts and then ask if she needs any assistance herself. Let her know you've noticed the work she's contributed to your parts and that you appreciate the help, but that you all need to keep moving ahead with your own parts and you're wondering if she needs help. Since she has been doing this for a while and you've not voiced concern before, I wouldn't be accusatory, but politely draw the line. If she does not respond well or keeps trying to do your work, be a little more blunt. I'm not sure this requires immediately going to your advisor since you've not even tried discussing with her first, as that would blind side her and could damage trust and collaboration if it's not handled well. Maybe she's really struggling with her own parts and just wants to be able to contribute something. I wouldn't assume malice or anything else until you've spoken with her and see what happens from there.

[Breuckelen]

Thanks - this is all helpful! 

I agree that I don't think it's coming from a malicious place, so I think I will start with talking to her about how things are going and offer help generally. I think the ideal outcome would be to clear this all up now before she gets too far on this part of the project and not have to involve our advisor. I'll keep you all posted!

[Sigaba]

IMO, this is a project management issue. Before talking to a colleague over whom I ultimately had no power beyond the power of persuasion, I'd touch base with the PM. I would have one or two courses of action in mind, but be willing to defer.

I am not sure that I agree that your colleague's initiative isn't coming from a malicious place. As you put it:

On 7/27/2018 at 6:33 PM, Breuckelen said:

I've started to realize that she's doing my other section and is trying to keep it a secret from me. ...It feels like I'm being scooped on my own project and it's hurtful.

Were she of the same mind as you and favored a collaborative approach, you'd know what she's trying to do and why. Instead, her behavior falls into an identifiable pattern. 

My $0.02.

ETA: I make a living doing project work at a consultancy. Doing the work, one quickly learns the differences between asking for permission and asking for forgiveness and straight up stonewalling.

Edited July 30, 2018 by Sigaba