Wang Lab Culture

An intellectually stimulating and productive lab environment that fosters personal growth starts with a healthy lab culture. Below are the 12 guidelines that we embrace and practice on a daily basis.

  1. We understand that accomplishment is the result of excellence, not the pursuit of glory. Therefore, we discourage the discussion of numerical metrics of success. Instead, we practice thinking big, developing perseverance, working hard, challenging ourselves and respectfully challenging each other, taking pride in everything we do, and simply producing creative work of the highest quality.

  2. We understand that shame and vulnerability are the gremlin to creativity. Therefore, we cultivate an intellectually and emotionally safe lab environment, so that every member can freely exchange even the most blue-sky ideas without worry of being judged.

  3. We believe the opposite of knowledge is not ignorance, but mystery and curiosity. Therefore, we challenge the known and the common perception of what is possible, with a healthy dose of optimism towards ideas that are seemingly unfeasible or unrealistic.

  4. We believe interdisciplinary work is a result of the fine balance between independent thinking and collaborative work, which does not equate to group thinking. Therefore, we respect the individuality and autonomy of each member, while encouraging collective excellence through the “constructive interference” of complementary skills and thought processes.

  5. We understand competitiveness is a healthy source of motivation, but over-competitiveness only leads to destruction and counter-productivity. Therefore, we challenge ourselves to exceed the creativity, perseverance, passion and work ethics of those whom we admire, but eradicate thoughts and behavior that can breed jealousy or even malice.

  6. We keep close to heart the Confucius saying, “I do not want a friend who smiles when I smile, who weeps when I weep, for my shadow in the pool can do better than that.” Therefore, we courageously face uncomfortable conversations, with the understanding that criticisms are often blessings in disguise.

  7. We understand that mistakes, failures and struggles are not negative reflections of us, but are simply part of the learning process. Therefore, we rationally analyze each of these experiences to develop pathways towards improvement rather than getting consumed by negative emotions. As Jiddu Krishnamurti eloquently said, the highest form of intelligence is the ability to observe ourselves without judging.

  8. We understand personal and intellectual growth is a lengthy process that requires patience and self-awareness. Therefore, we do not extract self-confidence from an over-blown depiction from a single success, nor diminish our self-worth from the projection of a single failure.

  9. We understand that problems not addressed simply become circumstances in life. As a result, we do not shy away from difficult situations, but face them head-on and actively seek out solutions.

  10. We understand that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Therefore, we practice self-awareness and seek the input or assistance of others on subjects we have yet to master.

  11. We understand that both feeling superior and inferior (or like an imposter) require other people, which are factors we have no control over. A superiority complex means our mind needs others to be less significant, whereas inferiority complex or imposter syndrome needs others to find us out. With this understanding, we practice interiority—we develop our identities based on our true self, which is the only thing in the world that we have full control over. The only person we compare ourselves to is the person we were yesterday.

  12. We believe higher education is not merely a training ground for technical abilities and critical thinking skills, but an opportunity to develop the characters the society needs in future leaders of STEM. Therefore, we emphasize responsibility over entitlement, humility over ego, empathy over judgement, generosity over selfishness, and the courage to fight for the weak over truckling to the powerful.