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Leading with Heart: Why Vulnerability is a Force Multiplier

March 20, 2026 | #HearFromHer #UnconventionalLeadership 

In a world that often prizes “macho” decisiveness, Dr. Lobna Salem (CMO at Viatris) and Dr. Amrit Ray (Board Chairman and former Pfizer executive) are advocating for a more human approach to healthcare leadership.

- PMLiVE

Listen to the full episode here.

Dr. Ray introduces the concept of “DQ”—a decency caution that asks: “Is this the right thing to do for patients and public health?”. He highlights how Dr. Salem’s career has been defined by this “quiet courage,” embracing discomfort to make ethical decisions that purely business-minded leaders might avoid.

Vulnerability as a Force Multiplier

Dr. Salem shares how her childhood passion for acting in Egypt taught her the fundamental purpose of leadership: to understand a person’s world, fears, and vulnerabilities. Dr. Ray echoes this, noting that when a leader allows their own ideas to “potentially die” for the sake of the team’s success, they become a force multiplier.

Listen to the full episode here.

A Global Blueprint for Success

The discussion also explores how support systems differ across geographies. Dr. Salem contrasts the structured institutional mechanisms of the West with the organic, community-based resilience of the Middle East. Regardless of the system, both leaders agree that the future depends on a shared mission: normalize imperfection.

“We have to be visible to tell our stories… to normalize imperfection and vulnerability. If we build systems that combine opportunity and humanity, the next generation won’t walk alone.” — Dr. Lobna Salem

Listen to the full episode here.

For more information, please contact Jelena Spyropoulos.

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