Why You Might Want to Know What a Molecule Is

A recent USA Today article titled “Is America scientifically illiterate?” sparked my thinking and reminded me of something I talk about in my lectures quite a bit. It is why most of us hate science – we had bad teachers. But there is hope for us yet.

I can’t believe I am going to put this out there, but I will admit it officially, I got one ‘D’ in all my years of school – it was in high school Earth Science. I hated that class with a passion – I had to memorize all the parts of a plant, all the types of rocks, all the steps in photosynthesis… it just sucked. It was boring and I saw no point in it whatsoever. Then when I asked the teacher: "Why do we have to memorize all this stuff?" I got the typical answer: "Because it will be on the test on Monday." Oh. Great. Thanks.

The article in USA Today quoted political scientist Jon Miller of Michigan State University stating that "No one should graduate from high school without knowing what a molecule is." Five years ago I would have argued why the heck not? What does a molecule have to do with my life?

But, what if how a molecule works could give you some insight on how your business works? Hmmm… interested?

Ok, so first molecules are the small little pieces that make up all living and non-living things. Molecules are made up of atoms. Each molecule is unique and it’s uniqueness is what allows it to interact with other molecules. Example, a single molecule of water is made from two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen. (Are the circles and pictures beginning to surface from the memory yet?)

Going a bit further – stay with me here – an atom is made up of three kinds of particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. The protons and the neutrons make up the center of the atom called the nucleus and the electrons fly around above the nucleus in a small cloud. (Ah yes, the memorization of numbers of protons and electrons coming back to you? I hated that class too.)

Now that we’ve had that little flashback – I want to bring up one more concept – thinking scientifically. I’ve learned that science is actually not just a bunch of facts – practicing science is a state of mind and a way of thinking. Scientists solve problems piece by piece, isolating and changing one thing (ok, its called a variable) and keeping all the things (variables) the same to see if that one thing is the cause of the problem (or phenomenon). And then, if you are lucky enough to uncover something, it will bring with it more question than you started with!

Let’s now start to bring this home. What if this week, you started to look SCIENTIFCALLY at your business? If your business is a molecule, what are the atoms (departments or functions) of your molecule? And then, what are the protons, electrons, and neutrons (resources) of your atoms? Breakdown your business into small edible parts – dissect it! Get some paper and a pencil and draw it out! Share it with your partners or employees as a fun new way of thinking about your business not only scientifically, but strategically.

With this molecular model, you can then begin to ask questions like what other molecules are you working with? What do you have to give up or gain by working with them? (Remember for two molecules to join, they gotta share those electrons!) Should you form a compound or a new molecule? Are you formed as the molecule you want to be? Should you be a strongly bonded molecule or one that could easily go into parts? Are your neutrons – those guys that just hang out in the middle of the company – really neutrons? Should they behave more like electrons – always critiquing the actions of the company carefully (remember they are negatively charged!) and protecting it from outside intruders? Do you need more electrons?

Over the weekend visit a science museum and try to make even more comparisons to your business or a challenge you are facing with some of the basic premises of science. If there is one way to break through a mental block, it’s taking a completely new way of looking at something and applying it. More often than not, it comes in the form of a consultant in a suit and a ridiculous fee – but you can use this simple orientation shift on your own!

I hated science. But now, I actually feel quite cheated out of science. I should have learned about formulating problems, creating experiments, using the scientific method, electromagnetism, mechanics, calibration and even physics.

Just like the way entrepreneurship and creativity is not just about ideas, science is not just about facts. It is about critical thinking, deep thinking, discovery, and asking questions.

If you were in a meeting and somebody asked you if you knew why your hand doesn’t go through the table – would you know? (It’s because the density of the molecules in the table and the sorts of bonds they form don’t want to separate – but water is a casual relationship-type of molecule that will easily separate and let you in to party anytime.) How cool would it be to ask someone else that question now that you know the answer? Ha!

Image credit: History for Kids
Suggested reading: The Canon - A Whirligig Tour of the Beautiful Basics of Science by Natalie Angier