Our philosophy

#1:  I do my thing, you do yours:

Many times, in laboratory communities, emphasis is put on working together. While this is a good strategy, there are many times that we must be able to be independent and seek advice when we are in need of help. In our laboratory we value self-sufficiency and free thought. We work separately but come together for guidance and feedback. You must initiate independence-no one will hold your hand through this process. While this may seem harsh, we have found that through self-autonomy you will find a method that works for you and be more creative in the long run.

#2:  Inauthenticity Wastes Time and We Don’t Have Time to Waste:

We all have fears, concerns, vulnerabilities – and often we don’t want to be real because we worry it will make us seem weak.  But in fact, avoiding being vulnerable causes time-consuming mistakes, which in turn holds you back, and holds back our the whole lab. In our Lab, we accept that we are human. We practice being honest, because inauthenticity wastes time, causes confusion, and does not lead to our lab being powerful. Vulnerability takes strength, courage, and leads to powerful growth.

#3: Processing and Planning is 80%, Action is 20%:

In our fast, fast, fast, action, action, action world , there is  false value placed on what looks to others like moving forward.  People who plan carefully, process, and think before acting or talking, are often seen as moving slowly or perfectionists. In our Lab, we think, plan, and process before taking action.  There is a balance of course.  We don’t over plan or use planning as an excuse to be a perfectionist or to procrastinate. When we come prepared, we are ready to ACT.  Preparation gives us the ability to act quickly and give more impactful feedback.

#4:  “Outsiders” are the Source of Progress, Discovery, and Innovation:

New ideas and innovations are not generated by working a vacuum or by doing work that has already been done. It is developed by thinking creatively and pulling from outside sources. It is also developed by thinking like an outsider. In our lab, we value both. We will often seek out outsider opinions or techniques to spark our thinking. People who can approach their research and writing with the willingness to be creative will have more novel, impactful research that will help to push our field forward. We are not here to play it safe and do what everyone else is doing. We are here to be influential and disrupt how people are thinking about their science.

#5:  Wasted Time Slows Our Impact:

In our Lab, our mission is to save coral reefs by doing novel and influential science. However, this can only be done if we are being efficient and not wasting time. We value efficiency and see it as a means to making a big impact.