Running a research lab is a complex, costly job that many prinicipal investigators have to struggle. Although having talented members, solid funding and cutting edge techniques are important requirements, management skills of principal investigator (PI) together with clear presentation of vision of the lab is the most important parts for making a healthy, safe and productive lab. However, unlike other areas, PIs do not normally have formal management training and usually is learned secondhand by their mentors during their graduate and postdoctoral training. In this talk, I will briefly present essential leadership and management strategies that can help build and maintain a good research lab.