In this interview, we delve into the remarkable story of Molly Patton, the Founder, Sci-Comm Lead, and Producer at Miscible. Molly shares her journey, the leadership principles that have shaped her approach, and the evolution of Miscible as a leading entity in science communication (sci-comm). Discover Molly’s thoughts on the future of science communication, how Miscible is adapting to industry trends, and the milestones that highlight her success. Get ready to be inspired by Molly’s unique insights and her contributions to shaping the future of sci-comm.
Leadership Qualities Contributing to Success
Molly Patton attributes much of her leadership style to 18 years as a goalkeeper; a position that taught her the value of observation and strategic guidance from the back. She employs these tactics in her role at Miscible – offering her team direction and feedback while giving them the freedom to exercise their skills independently. This approach, Molly believes, is the key to the trust she has with her collaborators and empowers them to excel without constant oversight. She engages only when her expertise is needed or to navigate client relations, while trusting her team to deliver world-class projects. This style, is sometimes perceived as “lazy leadership” by others, however Molly is quick to make the distinction between management and leadership, describing her approach as a testament to her confidence in her team’s capabilities, allowing Miscible to thrive on collective expertise without overzealous oversight.
Trends and Challenges in Science Communication for 2024
Molly sees science communication (sci-comm) as an emerging industry, especially in Australia, where it is on the verge of recognition as an established field rather than a secondary function of larger industries. This development comes with challenges, particularly in developing industry standards for sci-comm, given the diversity among many smaller agencies and how they sit in slightly different intersections of other industries like marketing, journalism and design. However, Molly considers this diversity an advantage, as it provides clients with a broad range of options. For Molly, the goal is to ensure that sci-comm evolves into a robust field, equipped with high standards and ample specialisation to offer the right mediums to communicate stories in whilst contributing meaningfully to the industry’s growth.
Preparing Miscible for Industry Evolution
According to Molly, Miscible’s lean operational structure has kept it agile and adaptable to change. The primary challenge now, she notes, is scaling this adaptability. Molly is committed to creating a unique framework for Miscible, one that fosters flexibility while ensuring consistent quality for clients. This ongoing process, she admits, is a work in progress, but aligns closely with Miscible’s mission to provide impactful, adaptive solutions in science communication. It makes sense to practice what we preach and lead by example, she explains.
Overcoming Obstacles and Embracing Failure
Molly believes that obstacles and failures are vital for growth, offering valuable lessons that cannot be gleaned from success alone. Embracing failure, Molly explains, was not instinctual; it went against her early conditioning, which viewed failure negatively. Over time, she has come to see failure as a rapid path to development, both for herself, and Miscible. Sometimes this means disappointing clients, and although that is never easy, Molly views each challenge as an opportunity to learn and improve. She notes that the obstacles she faces today are far more complex than those of a year ago, and a testament to her resilience and growth as a leader and the potential of Miscible to lift to tackle new challenges as they arise.
Fostering a Culture of Innovation
At Miscible, Molly credits the culture of innovation to its organically developed collaborative environment. Many of her colleagues were friends before they became collaborators, creating an atmosphere of trust and candid communication. This approach also extends to new partnerships, emphasizing the human aspect of collaboration before skill sets. Molly believes this compassion fosters a unique culture where creativity and commitment flourish, enhancing the quality of Miscible’s work and reinforcing the loyalty of its clients and its collaborators.
Influential Resources and Learning Experiences
Molly credits her leadership development to interactions with a diverse range of people rather than formal courses. Conversations with people from all walks of life—actors, chefs, inventors, and more—have enriched her perspective and contributed to her leadership style. She values these experiences, finding wisdom in each encounter, which she applies to her role at Miscible. This people-centered approach has been instrumental in shaping her perspective on leadership and innovation.
Building and Nurturing a Strong Team
For Molly, building a strong team begins with seeing each team member as an individual beyond their professional skills. She believes that empathy and vulnerability are essential qualities for a leader. By openly acknowledging her own gaps in knowledge and experience, Molly fosters a supportive environment where team members can freely contribute their expertise. This approach, she notes, not only strengthens the team but also accelerates problem-solving, allowing Miscible to tackle challenges collaboratively, effectively and very efficiently.
Commitment to Social and Environmental Responsibility
Molly emphasizes Miscible’s commitment to environmental responsibility, particularly given the agency’s engagement with research on climate change and sustainability. This work often inspires the team to adopt better practices, focusing on pollution prevention, resource conservation, and waste reduction. We are very privileged, she says. We are in a position where we have access to leading research and insights into some of the greatest challenges we face today – including climate change and all the ways in impacts us in our day to day lives. Because of this, we understand that sticking our heads in the sand and hoping someone else will solve the problem is not an option. The price of knowledge is responsibility; once you know something, you can’t unknow it and not adapting the way we do things is no longer ignorance, it’s complicity. By integrating these values into Miscible’s operations, Molly ensures that the agency remains conscientious of its environmental impact and committed to continual improvement.
The Importance of Digital Transformation
Molly recognizes the critical role of digital transformation for Miscible’s growth, particularly in the field of sci-comm. By automating processes that do not require human oversight, Molly aims to free up her team’s creative potential for more complex, meaningful tasks that [currently] only humans can do. Although balancing technology with the human experience requires careful implementation, she is optimistic about the opportunities that digitization brings, allowing Miscible to scale while maintaining its personalized approach and allowing humans to do human things, while operational processes are automated.
Essential Skills for Success in Business
Molly values a balance of specialization and generalisation. She believes that adaptability and a broad range of skills allow her to approach challenges with unconstrained imagination and innovation, whilst the Miscible’s teams of specialists take those ideas and apply their decades of experience to transform them into feasible solutions. In adjacent industries like marketing and design where replicable business models dominate, Molly’s approach keeps Miscible dynamic and prepared for evolving demands. She attributes much of Miscible’s success to this culture of curiosity and continuous learning, which she believes sets Miscible apart from more traditional competitors.
Why People Should Follow Molly’s Leadership Journey
Molly’s journey offers an alternative to the narrative of success we hear so often. Neither a prodigy, nor an overnight success, and having been frequently underestimated, Molly’s story is one of resilience and self-belief, proving that determination and openness to failure can overcome preconceived societal expectations. Her journey resonates with those who have been discouraged from pursuing ambitious goals. By sharing her story, Molly hopes to inspire others to defy limitations and embrace their potential, despite what others may believe.
Future Influence on the Business Landscape
Molly does not aspire to disrupt the business landscape but rather to contribute meaningfully to the evolving field of sci-comm. She envisions Miscible’s impact extending far beyond traditional limits, driven by the same tenacity and openness that have brought her this far. For Molly, her legacy lies in supporting sci-comm’s growth and setting the stage to “pass the jersey” to its future sci-commers.
Significant Achievements and Milestones
One of Molly’s proudest accomplishments is Miscible’s contribution to securing over $149 million (AUD) in funding and resources for research in the 2023 grants cycle – a figure that speaks to the agency’s impact on the Australian economy. Miscible has also been recognized with three prestigious awards in 2024, affirming it as a brand to watch in the sci-comm space. She explains, these awards progress from “marketing” to “science and technology content creation” and finally, “to science communication”. More so than winning, seeing the committees in charge of these awards creating sci-comm-specific categories validates sci-comm as in industry in its own right. This progression of sci-comm as a stand-alone field is something I have been advocating for almost 8 years. These accolades underscore Miscible’s success and Molly’s role in promoting sci-comm as a field deserving of respect and investment.
In conclusion, Molly Patton’s journey from the soccer field to founding Miscible exemplifies her commitment to leadership, resilience, and innovation. Her unique approach to science communication and unwavering belief in collaboration have positioned Miscible as a key player in a rapidly evolving industry. Through her emphasis on adaptability, environmental responsibility, and the human side of leadership, Molly has built a brand that not only delivers exceptional results but also sets a new standard for what sci-comm can achieve. As she looks to the future, Molly’s vision and passion continue to inspire those around her and pave the way for Miscible’s ongoing success and influence.
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