Lina Necib

Professor Necib’s leadership statement

“’Work hard and be kind to people.’” That sign in my office is more than a motto — it’s the guiding principle of how I lead. I lead with care by creating a culture where kindness, understanding, and mutual support are expected behaviors, not just nice-to-haves. My circles of influence include the research group I direct as well as external collaborators. In each role I prioritize psychological safety, clear expectations, and active efforts to make every member feel seen and valued.

Concretely, leading with care looks like:

Empowering others to help one another: I intentionally connect group members with the colleagues best positioned to help them and encourage direct peer-to-peer problem solving so the whole team grows more capable and independent.

Regular, informal check-ins: I ask about how people are doing both at work and outside work, listening for stressors or barriers and responding with flexibility and resources.
Team-building rituals: Shared lunches, outings, and small celebrations create the social glue that turns a collection of individuals into a trusting team.

Distributed responsibility: I delegate meaningful ownership of projects and mentorship roles so people develop leadership skills and feel invested in each other’s success.

My connection and mentorship style is collaborative and practical. I aim to be accessible and to model the behaviors I want to see: hard work, empathy, and reciprocity. As a mentor I emphasize concrete pathways—who to contact, what resources to use, and which skills to build—while also making time to discuss career goals and well-being. I’ve found the most effective mentorship combines actionable guidance with consistent human connection: clarity plus care.

In short: lead by example, build structures that make kindness practical, and create opportunities for people to support one another so the team succeeds together.”