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.
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.
About Medscape Education
Medscape Education (medscape.org) is the leading destination for continuous professional development, consisting of more than 30 specialty-focused destinations offering thousands of free CME and CE courses for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professional.
This content was provided by Medscape Education
Company Details
Latest Content from Medscape Education
Rare Diseases on Medscape Education: Long-Chain Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorder
Rare Disease Day may be over but our committment to advancing outcomes for patients continues. Listen to a mother explain her daughter’s journey with a long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorder.To…
Medscape Expands Global Reach with Acquisition of Health Information Platform Grupo SANED
WebMD Health Corp., an Internet Brands company and a leader in health information services for physicians, other healthcare professionals and consumers, today announced that it has acquired Grupo SANED, Spain’s leader in…
Medscape Oncology: Delivering Impact at ASH
You can read more information on Medscape Oncology at ASH here, or please reach out to Chris Carey or Steve Dunn who can tell you more about how Medscape can help to…
Medscape Oncology: Delivering Impact at ASH
Medscape Oncology was on-site in New Orleans at ASH 2022. During the 4-day conference, Medscape Oncology hosted educational symposia, interacted with clinicians at our booth, and worked with leading faculty…
Medscape Education: Rare Diseases PAH
Today is Rare Disease Day, February 28.Hear from Helen as she describes in her own words what it’s like to live with PAH, and her perspective as a patient. To learn…
Medscape Education and M4RD: Together Caring for Rare Disease
We are excited to finally share our news-style video ‘ ‘, developed in partnership with Medics 4 Rare Diseases (M4RD) and produced by Genetic Alliance UK and ITN Business.For more information on…
The Need for and Impact of Rare Disease Education
Physicians are often told that when they hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras — to look for the most common cause of a patient’s symptoms first. While this advice may…
Medscape Education: Rare Diseases Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva
Rare Disease Day is on February 28.Listen to Nicky explain her daughter’s journey with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.Many patients face long waits for accurate diagnosis and treatment, making it critically important…
Medscape Education: Rare Diseases
It’s only a few days until #RareDiseaseDay2023 on 28th February. We’re taking a patient centered approach, this means understanding their journey so we can better understand how we can help to…
Together Caring for Rare Disease
Medscape Education and Medics4RareDisease are partnering on a Rare Disease Day awareness campaign. The campaign will form part of a series of short programs produced by ITN in collaboration with Genetic Alliance…