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How often do you see your PI?
10 February 2010
By Hannah Dee
I've worked in a few labs now as a common-or-garden postdoc, and one thing that really varies is how much actual "supervision" I get. Some PIs expect you to be a completely independent worker, who just happens to be working on their project, and others like a more hands-on approach with weekly meetings and plans and schedules. In my current post I can go up to 2 months without seeing the boss, which is a bit too laissez-faire for my liking. But talking to colleagues, that kind of schedule seems to be the norm here in France, and people have suggested that more frequent meetings could indicate some kind of lack of confidence in the researcher's abilities. I've also worked (although as a teacher, not as a researcher) for a micro-manager who wouldn't let any lecture handouts or notes go to the printer without fully revising them first, and who came to check up on "his team" several times a day.
So what level of "supervision" is right for you? How can you tell if a potential PI is a laissez-faire kinda dude or a shoulder-hovering control-freak?
Chris Thomson11 February 2010 at 08:57 AM
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I've always through once a week is about right, often it just needs to be a quick hello, but it helps to have it there for when things need signing off, or big decisions made.
Nick Dickens12 February 2010 at 09:23 AM
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Hannah, an excellent choice of topic - I think that different people require different management styles, and it also depends on the type of project that you are involved in. Rapidly changing projects need a much closer working relationship so that changes can be communicated and dealt with quickly, whereas longer and less dynamic projects don't need this. Some people also need a boot up the and can't be left to their own devices. I definitely agree with you about micro-management and I would even go so far as to say, under no circumstances micro-management appropriate, it is more about control and lack of trust than any semblance of real management. It is just a waste of time to go over things yourself every time, it means that you (and by you, I mean one) is duplicating the effort of every member of your team and if you have so little confidence in their abilities then as a manager, you need to deal with it. Get more training and/or support for your staff.
As you might suspect, this is something that I feel strongly about, I am happy to add that my current boss has every confidence in my abilities and I am quite happy (and effective) when left to my own devices. If I feel that I need to speak to him then he is available for me, and if not I can happy make decisions on my own.
Matthew Salois21 February 2010 at 07:40 PM
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A very good point to ponder. I find, Hannah, all your descriptions of life and work in France fascinating. It is always interesting to pick up the subtle (or not so subtle) cues to French culture from your experiences. I have a regular standing meeting every Monday between me and my PI. During the week we may meet another time (or more) depending on the situation. In actuality, I meet with my PI as often as I need (given his availability). If I am having a good week (without facing any big difficulties in my work) once week is perfect. Sometimes though, I hit a road block and find that I need additional guidance from my PI. In that case, I take whatever time might be available.