In this episode of the Talent Lab Podcast, host Andrew MacAskill interviews Steve C de Baca, Chief Patient Safety and Quality Officer at Philips.

Steve shares his journey from aerospace to life sciences and the importance of transformation in healthcare organisations. He explains effective leadership using the Sherpa analogy and strategies for creating followership in uncertain times. Learn about the 'Scare to Prepare' onboarding method, balancing conservatism and proactivity in regulatory roles and the critical role of personal development. Discover how proactive engagement can enhance decision-making and the exciting transformation journey at Philips. 

Key Points & Insights: 

• Steve C de Baca's leadership journey from aerospace to life sciences. Discover how his diverse career path shaped his approach to quality and regulatory roles. 
• The importance of transformation in healthcare organisations. Learn why changing mindsets and approaches is crucial for success. 
• Effective leadership through the Sherpa analogy. Steve explores how guiding and supporting the team ensures collective progress. 
• Creating followership in times of uncertainty. Discover strategies to build commitment and trust within your team during transformational periods. 
• The 'Scare to Prepare' method for onboarding new team members. Find out how setting realistic expectations can prepare your team for future challenges. 
• Balancing conservatism and proactivity in regulatory roles. Steve delves into the dynamics of making informed quality and regulatory compliance decisions. 
• The critical role of personal development for leaders. Hear why continuous learning and adaptability are essential for leading effectively in evolving industries. 
• Overcoming the stereotype of risk-averse regulatory directors. Discover how proactive engagement and technical knowledge can enhance decision-making. 

Snippets: 

• "Transformation has to be truly transformative. That means you have to bring the entire organisation along". (Steve C de Baca, 2024) 
• "There are some who are going to be at the forefront, the eager beavers. There's going to be people at the end, the eeyores". (Steve C de Baca, 2024) 
• "The vast majority of people are just looking for support, direction, and commitment. You have to understand that everybody's at different points". (Steve C de Baca, 2024) 
• "You can't just be the leader; you have to be a supporter and a part of the group". (Steve C de Baca, 2024) 

Remember to tune into our next episode for more inspiring insights.

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