"My job at Stanford is rather different from the ones I had held previously in that my own ambitions must take a back seat to the well-being of the students with whom I work"

Robert B. Laughlin's quote speaks to the importance of putting the requirements of others prior to one's very own passions. As a task at Stanford, Laughlin's role is to focus on the well-being of the students he deals with over his very own aspirations. This is a significant shift from the tasks he had held previously, where his very own ambitions were most likely the primary emphasis. Laughlin's quote stresses the value of selflessness as well as the value of placing the needs of others initially. It is a reminder that, while passion is very important, it should not come with the cost of others. Laughlin's quote is a tip that, while ambition is necessary, it needs to not come with the cost of others. It is a reminder that, in order to be successful, we must agree to place the requirements of others before our own.