On Wednesday 9 March 2013, was held the 13th Executive Biotech Club, created at the initiative of Priscilla Motte, Managing Director , Executive Search , in charge of the Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice.

This breakfast debate brought together some thirty leaders of companies in the sector of biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, invited to discuss about their opinions or experiences on the topic of Shared leadership.

 

This debate was moderated by Prisicilla Motte, Partner and Thierry Chavel, executive coach.

 Quarterly Club Biotech appointments were intended to help the sector leaders to adapt their Leadership style to the developments of socio-economic and industry context. This year, it was inevitable to address the Shared leadership by asking the question: ‘ what is a response to the crisis. It is always interesting and rewarding to share one’s beliefs and notice that many leaders are in the same situation and ask the same questions.

 

The Shared leadership: human values

Shared leadership is designed to satisfy both employees, managers, and clients. If they are met, this leads to improve results and company’s performance.

Shared leadership is based on a moral authority and management of influence based on human values such as listening, humility, authenticity, empathy, persuasion, consensus, ethics, accountability and , development of others (…). This style of leadership requires an open communication style as well as a continuous improvement process while promoting the development of others. This Leadership model has already been efficient  in USA in large American companies, such as : Lilly, Medtronic, Marriott or Ford and has shown an increase in their performance.

 

An evolving context

Shared leadership is adapted to companies that have been through strong transformation and change management in the last decade, with Leaders who can be first among equals and not behave like “the boss’. Also , the so-called generation Y (young professionals, actors of the economy), for whom the balance between personal and professional life is essential are requiring this type of Leadership style .

The economic crisis of the 21th century and the new requirements of the generation Y challenge the traditional style of management and models such as the classic “autocratic” or “democratic “ leadership style. Shared leadership brings a new solution to the 21st century crisis.

 

Shared Leadership model for the “ pharma & Biotech” industries ?

The Shared Leadership model is interesting for the pharma and biotech industries. Indeed, Asia is the new Eldorado for R & D, and, Western countries are increasingly becoming a ‘platform of services’, and must think of new sources of added value.

This Leadership model is more centered on ‘clients’ needs – patients and health professionals – motivating teams and making them feel accountable and responsible to improve organizational performance.

Organizations are becoming more “flat” with more delegation, less pyramidal charts but everyone is in charge. Shared Leadership changes our relationships at work. It has to do with a team sharing sense of responsibility and purpose for the overall leadership of the company.

Shared leadership needs better communication among the teams within the sector. With all current alliances and the dynamic reconciliation of biotech and the ‘big pharma’, this type of “shared leadership” will promote communication as well as the creation of a culture based on values and common operation rules.