As unpleasant as it seems, conflict can be one of a lab manager's best ways of discovering where problems exist among his or her staff and where values, goals, roles, statuses and perceptions are causing problems that need to be dealt with.

In coming up with ways to motivate their staff, managers should take into account the different age cohorts that exist among employees. These groups all value different things and have various expectations when it comes to work. This article outlines ways of approaching each of these cohorts.

For most laboratories, turnover is low and tenures are high, so the opportunity and necessity to conduct interviews is limited. But, when it's necessary, the author argues that behavioral event interviews work best because the questioning format requires on-the-spot self-analysis that is difficult to prepare for except through life experiences.

The reality is that most scientists are pretty normal people, at least outside the laboratory setting. There are some unique characteristics that may be more prevalent in the scientific community, and most of those characteristics can contribute positively to the organization.

Each stage of development has its challenges, but the rewards are success and ease in the role of manager.

Each stage of development has its challenges but the rewards are success and ease in the role of manager.

Managers need not throw darts blindy when making decisions about promotions into managerial posts.