A New Leadership Model for Biopharma Teams

Successful life science leaders shift their approach from unilateral action – directing others – to mutual action – engaging with others to find a collaborative way forward.

The authors, organizational learning consultant Merle Kummer and Regulatory Affairs leader Liz Bloss, began work 15 years ago on developing leadership mastery for cross-functional drug development teams. We have not only built new practices, but discovered new ways for life science leaders to build more productive mental models.

It takes work to learn how to recognize and reframe one’s own mental models. Most life science R&D leaders find it hard to imagine changing their thinking in real life. Because scientists are highly socialized to push their points, in the heat of conversation they tend to stop learning and revert to telling.

We have developed this case study so you can see what goes on in a leaders’ mind in order to apply a mutual action model skillfully in a difficult meeting. Liz describes her experience, and Merle explains how the new leadership practices were applied in real time.