Leading Change and Building Emotional Intelligence in Biotechnology

Industry: Biotechnology

Project: Elevating Executive Leadership in a Leading Biotechnology Company

The Challenge

A Senior Vice President (SVP) of a large biotechnology firm in Boston approached Kirke Leadership’s CEO to address key challenges within the Executive Team:

1. Breakdown in Communication and Unhealthy Conflict: The Executive Team faced complex dynamics, leading to ineffective communication and conflicting priorities. Each leader operated within silos, resulting in a lack of alignment and cohesion across critical functions.

2. Low Employee Engagement Scores: Survey results revealed dissatisfaction among employees concerning the team’s leadership. Concerns were raised over poor cross-functional collaboration and inadequate attention to career development.

The Solution

In collaboration with the SVP and a key division VP, Kirke Leadership (KLI) designed and implemented a comprehensive Executive Development Program aimed at enhancing Executive Team effectiveness and cohesion. The tailored approach comprised 5 key components:

• Team Communication and Change Navigation: A dedicated day of programming was delivered to provide the team with practical tools for navigating organizational change and improving inter-team communication.
• EQ 360 Assessments: Each Executive underwent an EQ 360 assessment, conducted by KLI’s CEO (a certified EQ-I 360 practitioner). The assessments identified strengths and developmental opportunities, leading to personalized debriefs and actionable development plans.
• Ongoing Executive Coaching: Individualized coaching sessions equipped Executives with targeted strategies and tools to achieve their leadership objectives and address specific challenges.
• Leadership Meeting Integration: Our CEO actively participated in Executive Leadership Meetings, introducing essential tools and fostering effective communication during crucial discussions. These meetings also provided valuable insights for subsequent coaching sessions.
• Department-Wide Coaching: Recognizing the importance of cascading impact, the SVP engaged KLI’s CEO to coach departmental employees, fostering open communication and addressing concerns in a confidential, supportive environment.

Outcomes

Kirke Leadership’s customized Executive Development Program empowered the biotechnology firm’s Executive Team with the critical self-awareness, leadership acumen, and tools needed to lead through change and operate cohesively. Tangible improvements were observed in the following areas:

• Enhanced communication and collaboration among Executive Team members.
• Increased alignment and strategic integration across functions.
• Heightened self-awareness and development focus among leaders.
• Improved employee development and engagement: The Executive Team created a structured plan for increased interaction and sponsorship, providing more opportunities for employees to hear and engage with leaders. Additionally, they established a transparent career pathway to clarify growth opportunities within the company.

KLI’s Competitive Advantage

Kirke Leadership (KLI) stands out for its expertise in Executive and Leadership Development and Executive Coaching, complemented by a people-centric approach that combines warmth, professionalism, and a relentless commitment to client success. Here’s why Learning and Development leaders choose us:

• Internationally Certified Coaches: Our Executive Coaches hold certifications from the International Coach Federation (ICF), the highest global standard in coaching.
• Real-World Experience Across Sectors: Our coaches bring deep business expertise across industries including Biotech, Financial Services, High Tech, Communications, Digital, Retail, and more.
• Multilingual Coaching Team: Our coaches communicate fluently in English, French, and Spanish to serve global teams effectively.
• Specialization in Leadership and Organizational Development: Our programs cover Executive Coaching, Innovation and Creativity, Emotional Intelligence, Conflict Management, Team Effectiveness, Strategic Thinking, DEI, and more.
• Robust Assessment Suite: We leverage industry-leading assessments to provide data-driven insights, including:
  • EQ-I 2.0 and EQ-I 360 for Emotional Intelligence.
  • DiSC for behavioral preferences and communication.
  • MBTI for personality insights.
  • Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) for DEI and cultural intelligence.
  • Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Styles for conflict resolution.
  • Hogan 360, Enneagram, Saboteur Assessment, Leadership Circle, TAIS, and more.

Partner With Kirke Leadership

To explore how Kirke Leadership can support your organization's leadership development needs, visit www.kirkeleadership.com/contact and fill out our contact form. We look forward to partnering with you.