National Engineers Week: Celebrating Innovation in Business

National Engineers Week provides an opportunity to reflect on the technological wonders that engineers have gifted the world with, such as the Panama Canal. But have you ever considered that some engineering feats require people other than engineers? provides a wide range of lessons for leaders of Lessons include the importance of visionary leadership, innovation, multidisciplinary teams, employee wellness, talent management, and a commitment to excellence as keys to success in the corporate world.

During a recent visit to the Gorgas Institute in Panama, I reflected on the construction of the Panama Canal. The Gorgas Institute is located in Panama City, Panama and is named after Colonel William Crawford Gorgas, who made significant contributions to the country's public health during the construction of the Panama Canal in the early 20th century.^th century. U.S. Army Colonel William Crawford Gorgas wasn't an engineer by trade, but he was essential to the success of the Panama Canal. He was a physician and public health expert. Gorgas relied on the work of another U.S. military doctor, Major Walter Reed, whose work led to the discovery of yellow fever transmission by mosquitoes. Armed with this research, Gorgas, who served as chief sanitary officer for the construction of the Panama Canal, introduced innovative methods to combat tropical diseases such as malaria and yellow fever. His tireless efforts saved countless lives and ensured his completion of one of the most ambitious engineering endeavors in history. Today, the Gorgas Institute is known for its infectious disease research, public health efforts, and contributions to tropical medicine.

Successful projects require diverse talent and experience. Who are the people in your business who do not have a basic core competency (such as engineering in this case), but who are essential to your overall success? Who are the “gorgas” in your business? ?And how do we nurture, develop and integrate that talent??

Companies can learn many lessons from Golga's example. He prioritized the health and safety of his employees. Gorgas, like today's leaders, understood that investing in employee well-being fosters a positive organizational culture, regardless of business. Gorgas was relentless in aggressive disease prevention and control. As seen with COVID-19, despite best efforts, there was initially little active disease prevention and control. People got sick and needed hospitalization. The public health community worked to identify the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the subsequent strains of the virus, and ultimately the necessary vaccines.

In Gorgas' time, there was no “biosecurity radar” that could alert the public health community that pathogens were invading. Ginkgo Bioworks, a publicly traded company that facilitates the manipulation of DNA, develops pathogen collection, detection, and analysis capabilities with end-to-end capabilities to rapidly respond to biological threats. Masu. As an example, Ginkgo is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to test its traveler base for SARS-CoV-2 plus more than 30 additional priority pathogens at several major airports in the country. We are conducting a genome survey. America. Ginkgo is also developing this feature internationally. This process has helped Ginkgo develop his Global Biosecurity Radar, which provides higher-level alerts to public health leaders and businesses. Companies that track and understand the impact of public health-related challenges on their organizations can increase productivity and reduce absenteeism.

Panama has a rich history of leading the world in advancing public health efforts. The Gorgas Institute has a long history of leadership in public health. When I worked at Intrexon, another publicly traded biotech company, one of our subsidiaries, Oxitec, worked closely with the Gorgas Institute. Oxitec has genetically modified the Aedes aegypti mosquito that causes Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever. The Gorgas Institute helped Oxitec pilot the release of genetically engineered male mosquitoes (which don't bite), but whose offspring do not survive after mating with wild female mosquitoes. Oxitec released over 1 billion genetically engineered male mosquitoes and suppressed over 90% of wild mosquitoes in the test area.

Although most businesses are not directly involved in public health, understanding the importance of public health efforts and how they can improve employee well-being can improve overall health and business success. essential for. How is your company using public health initiatives to improve employee health?

Finally, while in Panama, I also reflected on my career and the importance of talent management for business leaders. In 1994, while visiting the Panama Canal with my boss, the commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Lt. Gen. Arthur E. Williams), I met a young man named Jorge Quijano. I was the chief engineer's assistant, and Jorge worked for the Panama Canal Commission. Back in August 2014, I was invited to speak at his Centennial Conference in Panama.^th Anniversary of the opening of the Panama Canal. as 53^rd Chief Engineer, I was scheduled to speak after the Panama Canal Administrator, and that person happened to be Jorge Quijano. I met him for the first time in 20 years, and it got me thinking about each organization's ability to train, develop, and retain young leaders at the top of their ranks. While there have certainly been some good fortunes along the way, talent management requires significant long-term effort from business and government leaders. That effort is an investment in the organization's future.

Companies that focus on the principles of driving innovation, prioritizing talent management and employee well-being, and strengthening collaboration between multidisciplinary groups will find team sustainability key to success in the business world. , resilience, and excellence.