‘‘I believe that everyone lives by the choices they make’’

You joined Quintiles in 2002 as Operations Manager and have climbed the ladder to become the Executive Director & Global Head. Tell us about this journey and experience?

Dr Deepa Desai

The journey so far has been exciting and a wonderful learning experience. As with any business, we have gone through our ups and downs but I have enjoyed every minute of it. Launching the Cardiac Safety Services business in India was a small, but confident step towards a larger vision of demonstrating to the world that we had the competence and could deliver international standards of safety and quality from India. We were amongst the first biopharma companies to offer corporate jobs to medical professionals and had the additional challenges so that they could be successfully integrated into the corporate culture. These challenges taught me a lot. I am extremely proud of the great work we have done and a wonderful team that we have built over the years. At a personal level, the experience of growing a business has broadened my horizons and made me look at patients from a wider lens than just a homeopathic one (I am a qualified homeopath). Today, I am also a much better human being because of the experiences I have been through.

Have you ever found yourself in a position where conflicts with co-workers has affected your performance? How have you managed to handle such situations?

I believe conflicts are vital to the health of a business and have always embraced situations of conflict with an open mind. Conflicts result from a difference of opinion someone may have based on his or her previous experience and we should not discount the experience or point of view. It is important, within the dynamics of an organisation, to create an environment where colleagues have the freedom to express an opinion even if it is at dissonance with everyone else. As long as the interests of the team, organisation and customer are kept central in the resolution of a conflict, I believe conflicts contribute to learning and are easy to manage.

Have you had a hand in formulating women-friendly policies within your organisation? If yes, please elucidate.

Yes, Quintiles is an organisation that is recognised and acknowledged as providing an enabling work environment for women employees and I am equally passionate about fostering a conducive work environment for our women. Over 56 per cent of our Cardiac Safety Services workforce in India is women. We have created an environment where women feel safe and are able to progress their careers even as they balance the demands of personal and professional life. We offer our women to work in shifts, flexi-hours and work from home options so that they can suit their convenience and manage their work-life balance more effectively. We also ensure that newly wed and expecting or young mothers do not work late hours. While I have been actively involved in taking decisions to create a nurturing work environment for women, I would like to add that growth opportunities for both men and women employees are equal in our organisation.

Your current leadership position reflects your industry knowledge, as well as work experience. What are your recommendations for women intending to carve a career for themselves in the pharma industry?

I don’t believe that women need to necessarily have a different approach than men to succeed in the biopharma industry. The ingredients for success are the same – passion, commitment, hard work, flexibility and willingness to embrace change. In the biopharma industry, a life sciences background is an advantage as inbuilt in that experience and exposure is patient-centricity, which is so core to the work that we do.

You have also been a lecturer. Tell us about your teaching experience?

Teaching, for me, is a form of learning. Learning that takes place at two levels – in preparing for a class and in interacting with the students when teaching. I have had no formal training in management or leadership skills – all that I have learnt has come through my teaching and interactions with colleagues.

How have you managed to handle both professional as well as personal commitments? Have you ever had to compromise on one to fulfil the other?

It’s all about making choices. I have a diverse set of interests that includes music (I enjoy listening to music and learn a percussion instrument, the tabla), watching movies and going on long drives. I believe that everyone lives by the choices they make and therefore the question of having to compromise should not arise if you have made the choice. When you make a choice, you will find the time to pursue them whether they are in the personal or professional realm.

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