Alcon president shares pearls of wisdom for leadership
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MONTEREY, Calif. — Jeannette Bankes, president and general manager of global surgical franchise for Alcon, presented “four pearls of wisdom” for leading with authenticity at the Women in Ophthalmology Summer Symposium.
“If we take a look at authenticity, why do we strive for it?” Bankes asked. “We strive for those that are people-oriented, to want people to work next to you, for you and with you.”
First, one needs self-awareness, which Bankes said is important to pursuing proactive communication in the workplace.
“Really know what you’re good at, and don’t be afraid of the areas that you have to develop,” Bankes said.
Second, one needs relational transparency, which can be applied to both personal and professional life.
“Both with your children as well as your employees, they deserve the truth, the directness,” she said.
The third pearl was to have balanced processing, or the ability to consider varying viewpoints.
“If you have not at least peppered people around you to balance the processing of the decision making, you're not being as authentic and as strong as you can be,” Bankes said.
Finally, one needs an internalized moral perspective; in other words, to follow a moral compass.
“Are you doing the right thing, even when it means failed revenue recognition?” she asked.
Together these four pearls foster personal authenticity both in the workplace and beyond, Bankes said.
“In my last 5 years of my career, I think I've been more myself than I've ever been able to be because I realized I'm not trying to be like my male counterparts. I'm trying to be Jeannette Bankes, and for that, I feel grateful because there's a calmness that comes with it,” Bankes said.
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How to be a leader amongst leaders. Presented at: Women in Ophthalmology Summer Symposium; Aug. 25-28, 2022; Monterey, California (hybrid meeting).
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