by John D. D, » Sat May 30, 2015 2:16 am
Hi,
My perspective is a little different because I have worked both in and out of the system.
What I notice is that "middle positions" - between PI and students can become very rank sensitive - that is there is a frustrated need for authority that asserts itself by association with the hierarchical system at the expense of diversity, creativity, and the little guy. This plays out a lot with gender issues too.
If the student loves science, be extra careful not to make your life and work seem "so important" that you can't see their potential contribution and value. If you are a woman supervisor of a male student, recognize that the student may define success as accomplishment without your help, or with you as a "handmaid". Try not to create a conflict over this by repeatedly forcing the issue of rank.
In the end, I think the really important thing is to allow everyone to participate - so find ways to challenge his expectation of your role without looking to the system for validation. Be quiet. Be respectful. And solve your own problems without getting the whole group involved if you can. The student will eventually make it or not, but should be allowed to do science if that is what he wants to do.
In the end, treat every person around you (regardless of rank) as a potential friend and respected colleague, and you will be rewarded for this in the long run by having a lot of people be willing to do things for you when things need to be done.