How big is your heart? A Commentary on Leadership in a Clinical Research Setting

The special day of Feb 14 inspired me to write an article on the leadership quality of magnanimity applied in the clinical research industry. What are my qualifications to write this article? Well... not much really. Maybe like you, I am just one among many who appreciates meeting and learning from leaders. I met wonderful leaders in the clinical research industry and I experienced the impact of virtuous leadership.

The word 'magnanimity' comes from the Latin word magnanimitas. The classical definition of magnanimity is 'the striving of the spirit towards great things'.

Leaders have magnanimous dreams, visions, and sense of mission not just for themselves but also with the view of improving the lives of the others. Leaders live not just for themselves but also for the others - the people they work with, their organization and the industry they belong. A magnanimous leader is someone who has a heart - big enough for many people coming from all parts of the world, diverse background and culture to find refuge, comfort, and encouragement.

It is a pity that there is still a dark cloud hovering over the field of clinical research. Misconceptions still exist. Some consider the industry full of vices - luxury, greed, envy, and fierce competition. There might be some dint of truth on these but may we not forget that there are people who made it their life's mission to find a cure for diseases and to save lives. There are unnamed people who worked tirelessly even to the point of sacrificing their family time to ensure that the dignity, rights, and well-being of every participant in a clinical trial study are protected.

How big is my heart? The call for leadership is not just a call for the few and select. The call for leadership is a call for everyone but only few decide to respond. We don't find magnanimous leaders by searching and filtering on charitable activities with a multi-million budget. Magnanimity as a trait of a leader is not about writing generous checks but it is all about the gift of one's very self. Magnanimous leaders are those who are willing to give themselves to the others.

The field of drug development offers hope to billions of people who are sick or who have sick families and friends. The industry of clinical research also allows you to work with tens and thousands of people across the globe and learn from their culture and ways of working. Can you just imagine how big the heart of a leader in the clinical research industry should be to make all these number fit?

Note: Published with the permission of the Author. This article was published in LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-big-your-heart-commentary-leadership-clinical-esperal-msc-pmp-/)

#Leadership #ClinicalResearch #VirtuousLeadership