What Is The Most Valuable Experience Gained From Your Military Training That Best Prepared You For Leading A Biopharma Company?

TODAY’S U.S. ARMY FIELD MANUAL ON LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT DEFINES LEADERSHIP as “the process of influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation to accomplish the mission and improve organization.” Principles such as “leading from the front,” “setting the example,” and “moral courage” underlie great leadership in a strong and moral military. All these traits are essential for success in any military unit and are equally as applicable in any organization, including leading a biotech. But the No. 1 leadership trait that I learned in the Navy that has best prepared me in leading Amicus is empathy. To feel the hope, or the fear, of another. To know that what you are doing is “bigger than you.” To provide hope and comfort and a sense of mission and purpose for a greater good.

JOHN CROWLEY is the chairman & CEO of Amicus Therapeutics.