Rob King’s Post

August marks another milestone in my career at Novartis as I entered 13th Year of amazing journey with Novartis. These 13 years have been full of diverse (Drug Development, Leadership, Strategy, Consulting and list goes on) experiences and many lessons for life. Below are my top 5 picks for people and organizations: 1.     Intangible benefits of long-term relationships are of No less importance than financial benefits a job can offer. Having peace of mind, good people to work with and enjoying your work has much more net value than estimated. 2.     Developing depth and breadth of knowledge, both are of equal value and career must have a right mix of both. Neither organizations, nor individuals should see lack of any of those as bottlenecks – both competencies are mandatory for successful businesses and career. 3.     Perfection is a myth and both organizations and individuals must embrace imperfections and see it. Amplify strengths and just be aware of opportunities (no need to put more energy than required to overcome weaknesses). 4.     Things evolve, and many times very differently than you would have planned. But that’s what life is all about, Isn’t it? Being ready for those with resilience and open mindset helps. 5.     Last but not the least, saying No is difficult (including to some career opportunities) but gives you immense confidence and pleasure to pursue what you want in life (in actual sense) and yes most of the times makes us happy in long run.

Lifelong learning is a core value of mine, and I’m so fortunate to work at a company like Regeneron that shares this belief. Through our incredible tuition reimbursement program, I’m able to earn an MBA to deepen my leadership practice and grow my business acumen. Wanna know the best part? In Regeneron’s fast-paced, improvement-driven culture, the knowledge I gain in class today often finds its way into my work tomorrow. This journey is both challenging and exhilarating—and I’m so grateful for Regeneron's support to grow both personally and professionally. As Patrick Lencioni wisely said, “Not finance. Not strategy. Not technology. It’s teamwork that remains the ultimate competitive advantage...” The lessons I’m learning about leadership, collaboration, and innovation are helping me contribute even more to Regeneron's mission to deliver life-saving medicines for our patients. #RegeneronProud #LifelongLearning #MBAJourney #LeadershipJourney #CompetitiveAdvantage

In my first few months as the General Manager of Takeda Pharma Austria, I've embarked on a journey guided by three foundational pillars: people, culture, and the business. Each pillar holds its own significance, but it's the people—the heartbeat of our organization—that I find most captivating and impactful.   Exploring the intricate tapestry of individuals within our team has been nothing short of enlightening. From diverse backgrounds to unique skill sets, every member brings a story worth hearing and talents waiting to be unleashed. It's within these personal narratives that the true essence of our organization resides, fostering collaboration, prioritization, and performance.   As we navigate our teams journey towards continued high-performance, I am continually inspired by the wealth of potential and passion I encounter daily. The journey is dynamic, with challenges and triumphs alike, but it's the unwavering dedication and camaraderie among our team that fuels our progress. Together, we're not just shaping a company—we're fostering a culture of excellence and growth.   And amidst the hustle and bustle of leadership, I find solace and joy in the simple act of getting to know and understand each member of our team. It's a privilege—one that I don't take lightly. Their aspirations, struggles, and dreams fuel my determination to lead with empathy, integrity, and purpose.   So here's to the countless stories yet to be told, the milestones waiting to be achieved, and the bonds waiting to be forged. Here's to the relentless pursuit of excellence and the unwavering belief in the power of our people. Together, we're not just charting a course for success—we're redefining what it means to thrive as a team.   #LeadershipJourney #HighPerformanceTeams #TakedaAustria

I just wrapped up an incredible 5-year adventure at Takeda. I feel so blessed for the teams I had the privilege and honor to lead. It was truly an unforgettable experience and the most productive 5 years I had in my entire career. While I am leaving Takeda, I know the friendships and relationships forged over the last five years will endure. I was truly fortunate to work alongside incredibly talented colleagues who taught me so much, provided incredible joy and friendship, shared invaluable feedback, and inspired me to give my best every day. During my tenure, I had the privilege to lead some of the most talented and committed individual and teams of my career. We were also supported by exceptional partners. Together, we defined and implemented Data and Digital Transformation strategies for the various Global Corporate Functions. Technology platforms such as Workday, Workhuman and SuccessFactors were implemented globally. Launched a newly designed Takeda.com site and defined an ambitious strategy for People Analytics and deployed a well-being survey followed by annual employee experience surveys. Upgraded in-office technology (conference & board rooms). All while concurrently reimagining end to end global processes and significantly improving the stability and reliability of technology platforms. Most recently embarked on a visionary Digital Dexterity program fostering curiosity to radically enhance Takeda’s workforce ability and ambition to adopt emerging technologies. A conversation with Lisa Bodell made me reflect on my time at Takeda as she asked why were my teams so productive these past 5 years? It is always helpful to work for a company with an inspiring purpose and guided by strong values. Second, I learned from Jon Couture to hire people smarter than myself. Having exceptional talent is fundamental. Third, during the pandemic, I fine-tuned my leadership style and was more authentic, vulnerable, and sharpened my three leadership Ts – Trust, Truth, and Transparency. I established an environment where teams felt empowered, inspired, and psychologically safe to challenge openly. My approach was to set a vision, remove obstacles, and genuinely care for my team as human beings not just as professionals. I wanted us to succeed as a team. And I define team not based on reporting hierarchy but on who is working together to achieve a common goal. As I step away, I am taking time to refuel, focus on myself, and spend quality time with my family and friends before embarking on my next adventure. I am genuinely excited about the possibilities ahead. My next challenge will be to find a way to scale my transformational and people leadership experience. I have also been energized watching Emerson Foster's impact on the community. My sincere thanks to everyone who was part of this journey. Here’s to the future and all the exciting adventures it holds! Stay tuned on what comes next! For now, I can share I am absolutely enjoying the present. 

Celebrating 12 Years at Merck! This milestone comes in conjunction with a recent business trip to one of our manufacturing and research sites in The Netherlands. Reflecting on my journey from the lab – where I started as someone who dreaded chemistry – to now, it's incredible to see how far I've come. If you had told me back then about the opportunities and experiences ahead, I would have thought you were crazy! Initially, my focus was simply on doing my best each week and making it to Friday. Over the years, I've had the privilege of holding various positions within Merck. However, the most fulfilling roles have been in Learning and Development. My current goal, both personally and for my team, is to collaborate on creating the best learning solutions that benefit both the learner and the business. When others win and succeed, we all win and succeed. My recent trip to The Netherlands was all about setting our learning teams up for success and redefining excellence. True learning goes beyond compliance; it's a powerful business tool that can unlock the potential of both people and organizations. When done right, the return on investment is immense – from business performance and safety to compliance, output, employee fulfillment, and retention. My journey to this point has been indirect, but every step has prepared me for the next. There are countless people to thank for making my time at Merck special, and I'm grateful to each one of you. Here's to many more years of growth, learning, and success! 🌟 #Merck #LearningAndDevelopment #CareerJourney #TeamSuccess #UnlockPotential #BusinessGrowth

As I start my summer vacation, I am filled with gratitude for the chance to see María Soledad Sepúlveda again here in 🇨🇭(Since last year, both of us have been living in Europe) She has been a great leader and a guiding light in my career at #Pharma. One of the best things about having worked at #Pfizer was the lasting friendships I've made 🩵 When I was nearly 24, I was working in the Regulatory area; Sole noticed something in me. She believed in my potential and invited me to join her team in Marketing (in the digital marketing area) . That moment, 8 years ago, started a journey that changed my life 🫶 Today, as I look back, I am deeply thankful. Sole didn't just give me a job; she gave me the courage to dream bigger and the tools to achieve those dreams. Her mentorship has been priceless, offering me guidance, support, and the occasional push when I needed it most (Especially when I made the decision to leave Pfizer and join my current company Grünenthal Group for new and ATOMIC challenges) #Leadership is more than just leading a team; it’s about inspiring and nurturing those around you. Today, I am very thankful for Sole and all the great leaders I have met (I've been fortunate to have incredible bosses 🍀 ) . They have taught me that believing in someone can ignite a spark that changes not just careers, but lives. As I enjoy my summer vacation, I carry with me the lessons and gratitude for those who have helped shape my journey , and that have taught me to be and continue being a leader♥️ #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #LeadershipSkills #LeadershipTips #LeadershipMatters #Inspiration #InspirationalLeadership #InspireOthers #InspiringLeaders #InspirationDaily #Motivation #MotivationalLeadership #InspireToLead #LeadershipJourney #LeadAndInspire #pfizer #grunenthal #career #mentorship #mentor #pharma #pharmaceutical #omnichannel #digitalMarketing

The Leap: An Inevitable That’s Planned Celebrating one Year at Johnson and Johnson Innovative Medicine 🥳 Change is the only constant, but sometimes, even the inevitable needs a plan. A plan that leads to growth. To a leap forward. For me, #Novartis wasn’t just a company—it was my school of experience and expertise. It’s where I learned, grew, and became confident in who I am today. Though I’ve moved on, Novartis will always hold a special place as the foundation of my professional journey. But growth often requires embracing the inevitable. And for me, that meant taking a leap of faith—leaving behind the familiar to step into the unknown. With countless questions in my mind, I took that leap and joined Johnson & Johnson. On 23rd November 2024, I completed one year at Johnson & Johnson, and I can proudly say it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine has not just been a workplace—it’s been a space where I feel motivated, inspired, and aligned with a mission to change the trajectory of human health every single day. Sometimes, the #inevitable may feel uncertain. But with the right intent, it becomes the foundation for a better, brighter future—a true #leap forward. #Growth #Change #CareerJourney #JohnsonAndJohnson #Novartis #Motivation #1year #J&J

What re-energizes you? ⚡ 💡 This week brought a powerful reminder - for me, it's those high-quality moments with the people I serve: family, friends, customers, and our incredible team at Teva Pharmaceuticals. 🌍 Operating across multiple borders and time zones while serving global customers can be intense. When customers (rightfully) come first, finding time for team connection becomes invaluable. This week reinforced why investing in focused, face-to-face time alongside our virtual ways-of-working is transformative: 1️⃣ Recharging our collective energy to serve customers with excellence 2️⃣ Reconnecting us with our shared purpose and mission 3️⃣ Sparking innovation through our diverse perspectives and open-minded, high-performing culture 🙏 Deeply grateful for these brilliant leaders who bring unique viewpoints to the team: Timo Buck Callum Lea Zvonimir M. Julien Cataliotti. Special thanks to our bold transformation leaders Dr Christine Kreutzer Jannick Retteraasen Friis for orchestrating this valuable time together. 🌟 What moments re-energize you and your team to perform at their best? #HighPerformingTeam #DiversityofThought #TevaDigital #TevaNexter

I’m filled with gratitude after speaking at Merck's Q4 Town Hall yesterday to the incredible team in the trades. It’s always a privilege to share mindset tools and hear the personal stories and emotions of those who open up. The opportunity to offer just a bit of guidance makes this work so rewarding. ❤️🏆 A special thank you to Ed Spooner for not only inviting me to speak but also giving me an amazing tour of Merck’s facility afterward. To see firsthand the operations within this "mini city" and witness the extraordinary work being done—especially in the realm of vaccines—was nothing short of inspiring. The level of dedication, focus on safety, and the shared commitment to making an impact in healthcare is truly remarkable. The conversations around stress, safety, mindset, and Merck’s core values left a lasting impression on me. It’s clear that Merck not only values these things, but actively integrates them into every aspect of its work. I’m deeply grateful to be able to contribute in any way to the important work being done here. Huge thanks again to Ed Spooner and Milani Johnson, CHST for making the event run so smoothly and for their warm hospitality. Your thoughtful support means everything. Remember, everything is figureoutable, and being grateful for the little things really does make all the difference. #Grateful #MindsetMatters #Merck #Vaccines #Safety #StressManagement #GivingBack #TheChampionWithin #Trades #ShutdownSeason #MerckValues #Mindset

Feels like autumn at the Novartis US HQ 🍁🍃 It’s a good time to check in on where you started with your intentions at the beginning of the year. 〰️ what have you accomplished? 〰️ is there anything left to do? 〰️ has anything changed your direction or mind? 〰️ how can you make the remaining months super charged with energy, focus and impact? 〰️ what’s stopping you? 👆Go back into your calendar, objectives and notes and remember where you started and how far you’ve come. Or - did you become distracted and lose sight of those goals? ⭐️You still have time! Refocus and commit to what you wish to fulfill in 2024 #checkin #Q3 #gratitude #strategicfocus #objectives #autumn #keepgoing #growthanddevelopment #positivemindset #leadershipcoach #executivecoach #womeninleadership #womensupportingwomen #talentexpert #alchemyleadership #talentscouting