Leading And Managing Change During A Time Of Transition And Cultural Transformation

By Mark Mallon

The COVID-19 pandemic is representative of the complexity of the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, reinforcing the need for innovation, adaptability, and accountability as we work to meet the needs of today’s healthcare professionals and patients. While strategic leadership during times of transition and transformation can be especially challenging, consistently prioritizing organizational goals and strategies is paramount to success.

I’ve learned a great deal in my first year as CEO of Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, a company that has gone through a period of great strategic change, shifting its focus from a research-based biotech company to a therapeutically focused pharmaceutical company. I’m no stranger to change, having spent two decades across five different countries at AstraZeneca, but being a CEO has taught me that having a supreme comfort level with driving and leading change requires these five decisive actions: