Key Insights

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  Impact depends more on building relationships and organizational navigation than on pure research skill.

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  Effective researchers integrate advocacy and storytelling as inseparable parts of their work.

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  You can be an excellent researcher with zero impact, or a mediocre researcher with strong organizational influence.

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  Organizational learning requires more than understanding; it demands application and behavior change, which takes years.

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  Involving stakeholders early and collaboratively creates ownership and improves adoption of research insights.

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  Research impact can be subtle, shifting organizational language and perspectives before concrete decisions emerge.

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  In public sector research, realigning work to the social mission is essential because traditional measures may not reflect impact.

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  Building trust and intimacy with clients or decision makers drives greater influence than mere data presentation.

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  The best strategies start with a solid diagnosis of the real problem, which research can uniquely provide.

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  Career growth for researchers is tied to developing influence, coalition-building, and broad communication skills beyond research techniques.

Notable Quotes