In a fast-changing and competitive market, making quality count is vital. For pharma and biotech firms, having the right people in place in key QA and QC roles can make a huge difference in how they perform, and in differentiating them from the competition.
However, these roles require qualities beyond technical know-how and experience. They are about managing people and processes, but more than this, they require exceptional leadership abilities. There are crucial differences between management and leadership, which can make the difference between a competent candidate and an excellent one.
Beyond Management Processes
Leadership and management are not interchangeable. Management is a set of processes. Some of these are more demanding than others, and some bear a heavy burden of responsibility, but they are different from leadership. Typical management processes include planning and budgeting, clarifying roles, measuring performance and, when things don’t go according to plan, problem-solving.
Leadership, on the other hand, is about aligning people to your vision, getting them to buy-in to the culture of the organisation by motivating and inspiring them. In a stable, unchanging situation, management alone may be enough, but in the competitive world of biotech and pharma, excellent leadership qualities are essential.
Leaders do not settle for encouraging people to do well what they’ve always done; but rather to get them to do things that they have never done before, to excel in the pursuit of greater goals. Leadership is about change.
Seeing the Difference
Managers direct, while leaders coach. Take the setting of targets for example. Setting targets is a crucial part of business development, and a manager will use this technique to help staff focus on certain activities. But it only leadership that can demonstrate to employees the importance of setting targets, in such a way that they understand the crucial role they must play and are sufficiently motivated to perform it exceptionally well.
There is an overlap between management and leadership, and one without the other is likely to lead to deficiencies in any organisation. However, while good management can organise and provide guidance, great leadership has the power to transform a business.
GXPeople Global specialises in finding the right quality candidates for pharma and biotech industry leaders. We believe that excellence excels and if you think you have the kind of qualities that will make you a valuable asset, please contact us at enquiries@gxpeople.com.