Becoming a Leader: It’s a Journey!

Approaches to leadership are deeply personal and colored by our unique experiences. No two people share the same background or leadership style.?

When I was younger, I subscribed to a traditional model of leadership and placed heavy focus on being only rational and strategic. But over time, I came to recognize – and appreciate – that strategy only goes so far. An emotional connection and the ability to inspire and engage drives organizations to perform at a higher level. Today, I value authenticity and vulnerability to help empower and unleash potential within my teams.?

I’ve always been interested in how leaders’ various personal and professional backgrounds inform the way in which they approach problem solving. Research shows that diverse teams develop creative approaches to business challenges because they draw from a pool of varied life experience. A Forbes study found that decisions made and executed by diverse teams delivered 60% better results.?

So, in the spirit of National Leadership Day, which occurred earlier this month, I connected with my Bayer colleagues Errol Coutain, Clinical Sales Specialist, Lisa Desiderato, Vice President of Precision Medicine, and Anjali Shah, Executive Director of Market Access Analytics, to learn how they approach leadership.??

Q: If you could go back in time, what would you tell yourself as you were starting out in your career?

Anjali: Be patient. Drink less caffeine. Listen more. Ask more questions. Ask for help when you need it, not after you get an ulcer. Go out to lunch. Your brain and body need a break.??

Errol: Be receptive to all ideas. Lead without a title and give constructive feedback. Be purposeful and efficient when building your network.?

Lisa: Be kind and patient with yourself, because if you’re kind and patient with yourself, you’re much more likely to be that way with others. And being kind and patient isn’t a sign of weakness, but a sign strength for an inclusive and empowering leader.?

Q: How would you define your leadership style?

Anjali: I believe in communities built on transparency, communication, supporting others, developing your strengths, and being vulnerable enough to address your weaknesses. Together, this leads to trusting relationships, engagement, and outcomes.

Errol: My leadership style falls in between the styles of “visionary” and “coaching.” A “visionary” leader is the person who thinks ahead and has an eye for improvement. A “coaching” leader can identify the strengths and weaknesses of each individual contributor on the team and provide actionable feedback. Leaders who can shift leadership styles depending on the types of people they lead are usually the most effective.?

Lisa: I have an inclusive growth mindset, whether that’s for the business, improving patient outcomes, and for our people. I’m here to help colleagues reach their career aspirations and help them grow. By focusing on that, the business results will follow.?

Q: How has your background shaped your leadership approach?

Anjali: I am a naturally curious person. There are many perspectives to every story, including those that you don’t even know exist. No one person can uncover all points of view, but a community of individuals who can lean on each other and communicate openly can more easily identify opportunities and risk.

Errol: I played collegiate football and baseball and was invited to several professional football workouts in the NFL and CFL. The most important thing that I learned from competing in sports was that your competition doesn’t care if you are not prepared to compete against them. This taught me that preparation is vital for success.?

Lisa: Interacting with people from different cultures, therapeutic areas, and roles has provided me with a rich tapestry to draw upon learnings and apply these learnings to new situations. Even the challenging experiences provide amazing growth opportunities.?

Q: We know that workplace diversity fuels business success. How have you contributed to high-performing teams??

Anjali: Listening and being present to internalize what others are saying. Each time you listen, it adds a puzzle piece to the big picture, and each time you add a new puzzle piece, the picture becomes clearer. If you really listen to those around you and build on their expertise and perspective, the big picture will reveal itself.?

Errol: It is extremely important to listen with intent, be mindful of the needs of others, and encourage open dialogue among teammates. One of my favorite leadership quotes is “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Lisa: Ensure the right people are involved in discussions and decision-making. Create an environment where everyone has an equal voice, and all opinions are respected and considered. Actively listen and ask thoughtful questions. Communicate decisions to the broader team and ask for feedback so those who aren’t intimately involved are still aware and can offer their points of view.?

Q: Has mentorship or sponsorship played a role in your development??

Anjali: Mentorship has had a huge impact on my career. Some mentors were supportive, helpful, and kind. Some were tough and helped bring out the best in me.?Everyone has something to teach us, we just need to be listening.

Errol: Mentorship, yes. Sponsorship, no. I’ve learned that many minorities in the corporate world are over-mentored and under-sponsored throughout their careers. I have had amazing mentors who have helped me develop into the successful salesperson I am today. However, I have not had enough sponsors advocate for me when I wasn’t in the room. I’ve overcome this obstacle by being more intentional while building my network at Bayer and seeking different leadership opportunities.?

Lisa:?Many amazing mentors have helped me navigate career choices and challenging situations. Also, I don’t believe one mentor can provide all the answers, so I find seeking guidance from several mentors – within and outside the company – is helpful.?

Thank you, Anjali, Errol and Lisa, for being so candid. Conversations like these help us connect with our colleagues, learn from each other, and ultimately, become better leaders.?