What do leaders really do?

A breakfast seminar, hosted by PiR Interims last week at the Institute of Directors (IoD) in London, posed this question.

PiR Interims, the dedicated life science interims practice, held a networking breakfast for life science leaders and clients at the IoD offices in London last week. Attendees included representatives from a range of major, mid-capped and emerging sector companies

Jeff Grout ñ keynote speaker, respected business author and one of the '100 Best Business Speakers in Britain' ñ provided the response. Jeff focused on the everyday realities of leadership and gave those attending the opportunity to reflect on their own leadership styles. The talk highlighted experiences gained by those in leadership from the fields of business, sport and the military. Examples came from personalities such as former Director General of the BBC, Greg Dyke; rugby coach, Sir Clive Woodward; military leader, Major General Patrick Cordingley DSO; and the late founder of the Body Shop, Anita Roddick.

Delegates were asked to examine their own leadership style and whether they really understood their people: ìWhat makes them sad, mad or glad?î Jeff explained that if a leader is not in touch with their people and not acknowledging what he described as the ësignificant eventsí in their lives, they are not effective people managers gaining the best from their staff. Jeff also holds the position of independent business advisor to PiR Interims and sits on their Advisory Board.

PiR Interims Managing Director, Carolyn Douthwaite, said, ìWe were delighted so many of our clients took the time to join us for this superb event. The networking breakfast is a great opportunity for us to socialise away from the office in a more informal setting, and in this instance, challenge our own leadership skills following Jeffís thought- provoking talk.

This is the first in a series of knowledge-sharing and professional development events we are planning to extend throughout 2008. Our aim is to build an intimate, informal forum with presentations from a variety of leading industry and seasoned business speakers. We will provide an opportunity for delegates to participate in stimulating discussions on subjects pertinent to the life science industry, its leaders and interims who work in it.î

Cynthia Larbey, Managing Director of Smart Holograms Ltd, commented, ìThank you very much for inviting me to the event. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I thought Jeff was brilliant. It was a great opportunity to take a step back and look at all the things I am forgetting to do - most refreshing.î

Also attending the meeting, Nicola Lester, Associate European Project Director at Parexel said, ìI have been singing the praises of PiR Interims for the past 24 hours! An excellent venue, breakfast was a great idea, and the seminar itself was so motivational and excellent food for thought. I look forward to your future events with great anticipation.î