Advice for junior lab heads on how to maintain productivity for future yrs (thanks @FZMarques for the thread suggestion, everyone pls add on any tips you think of that I overlook!). Thread 1/15
1st, congrats on becoming a lab head! You may have only just started your own lab or have had a lab for a while now but it is a steep learning curve irrespective & having support (mentorship, sponsorship) will make it easier to navigate. Seek this out. 2/15
We all have different leadership styles and continue to learn in leading. Take a leadership course when you can, as soon as you can (many are even available online). Ask your workplace to support you in this- these are valuable & should be compulsory for all lab heads IMO. 3/15
Play to your strengths & work on your weaknesses. If you are a micromanager it’s time to learn to be less so. Trust your team, make your lab a team effort & you will be rewarded. It doesn’t take much to make ppl feel appreciated & this in turn makes a more productive team. 4/15
Set realistic goals. Have a 5 yr plan-what do you hope to achieve? What are your ultimate goals? Plan fwd to best achieve this. Research is a rollercoaster ride & for some it is a steeper ride than others. Be optimistic & resilient & this will help you in challenging times. 5/15
Plan your career according to your responsibilities. If you teach this takes away from full-time academia, don’t compare your productivity to the latter researchers. In fact, don’t compare with anyone- there will always be someone better off and worse off than you. 6/15
Plan for whiz-bang & plod papers. The whiz-bangs are the innovative pubs that help to fast-track your career. The plods are smaller papers that will continue productivity while you hold onto the whiz-bangs, which take longer. Or have lots of plods, nothing wrong with this! 7/15
Be original. If you copy what others are doing (jumping onto the same “hot topic” boat) then you are less likely to make an impact in the field than if you pursue new ideas. This might seem riskier but may pay off if you persevere. The next big thing might be your research. 8/15
Follow your data. I always say that a hypothesis that is wrong is more exciting than a hypothesis that is right. The best researchers will accept they can be wrong & recognise what their data are telling them. This can lead somewhere v unexpected & exciting! 9/15
Keep in mind that your lab is not just about you. You have a team of ppl who have their own careers irrespective of what role they have. Let them have opportunities to grow too. Encourage independence (this becomes a bonus during times like #COVID19!). 10/15
Have high integrity- a future thread. We have a responsibility to perform & publish research to the highest standards possible. Pressure can make ppl do otherwise- don’t let this happen to you. Don’t publish anything if you are not 💯 convinced, reproducibility essential. 11/15
Invest in establishing innovative technology in your lab that will help to advance your research. This may take some time, keep the plod papers going during this, it will be worth it. Collaborate but don’t become just a “service provider”- many will ask, learn to say no. 12/15
Store reagents (eg tissue samples, freeze cells- primary & cell lines), maintain excellent records of what/where they are. Store appropriately aliquots of all novel reagents down ASAP after generation in case of emergency. Be prepared for worst-case & starting over again. 13/15
You will make mistakes along the way, learn from them & pass your lessons on to others to make their path easier. If you put your hand up for other leadership roles be responsible & lead, don’t make others do your work- do your share, delegate if appropriate. 14/15
Despite what you may think, no one was put on this earth to be your slave. Treat everyone equally & respectfully & you will generate respect in turn. This will also affect how others support you, esp in tough times. Your actions will establish your reputation. Good luck! 15/15
