Here are five ways to create an ecosystem of innovation and responsibility that endures well beyond your own tenure.
By Eric Edwards, MD, PhD
As the CEO of Phlow Corp., one of the first U.S.-based pharmaceutical manufacturers to earn B Corporation™ certification, I’ve seen firsthand that servant leadership isn’t just essential for the pharmaceutical sector — it’s a transformative model that can elevate any industry. In today’s interconnected and unpredictable world, leadership isn’t measured by profit alone but by the ability to protect and uplift the lives of those we serve. In our business, this means not only saving lives but also having the courage to focus on tough challenges with new business models that move beyond the status quo. Leaders can tap into a servant leadership mindset in any industry when we go about our work with the goal of pursuing a higher purpose — one that strengthens communities, fosters innovation, and fuels sustainable growth.
1. Lead with Purpose, Not Just Profit
At Phlow our B Corp certification reinforces our belief that business can be used as a force for good. The public good Phlow is creating is measured by our ability to improve access to and availability of domestically produced, high-quality pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients through advanced manufacturing and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. This includes focusing on our most vulnerable patient populations. For example, we built one of the nation’s leading coalition of children’s hospitals focused on solving pediatric drug shortages and working to supply medicines that most of our industry had left behind due to the lack of economic incentives. Regardless of the industry, leading with purpose ensures your organization thrives while improving lives. In our case, it’s about something even more fundamental: ensuring the health of our nation by reshoring the production of life-saving medicines and ensuring they are made affordably and reliably.
2. Serve First, Lead Second
Servant leadership reverses the traditional power dynamic, putting the needs of others above personal gain. Whether I’m in the boardroom or on the frontlines as a doctor and volunteer paramedic — a role I’ve held for over two decades — I’ve learned that true leadership is about empowering those around you. By taking bold steps to focus on your team’s growth and well-being, you create a ripple effect that drives innovation and success throughout the organization. Across industries, the leader’s role is to serve first, enabling others to achieve more than they thought possible.
3. Build Resilient, Transparent Systems
Resilience is essential. At Phlow, we’re reimagining the domestic production of critical medicines — including how they are protected for a future public health emergency — by building and operationalizing America’s first Strategic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Reserve — a stockpile of critical medicine ingredients that can be deployed during a future public health emergency. Whether you’re managing a global supply chain or a small team, transparency and resilience are foundational to success. In a world constantly facing disruption, leaders must boldly design systems that can withstand crises, mitigate risk, and ensure continuity for the communities they serve. At Phlow, this isn’t just about business — it’s a matter of national security and ensuring the medicines America depends on are always available, especially in times of crisis.
4. Innovate with Impact
Innovation isn’t just about developing new technologies or products — it’s about addressing urgent problems with a focus on people. For us, we have been focusing on leveraging advanced pharmaceutical development approaches, including cutting-edge, continuous-flow chemistry to make pharmaceutical manufacturing more efficient and sustainable. The true value of innovation lies in how it impacts people’s lives. Leaders in every industry can create lasting change by centering their innovations around improving the human condition.
5. Never Stop Mentoring and Empowering Future Leaders
A leader’s legacy is measured by the people they inspire. Whether at Phlow or through my work volunteering on medical mission trips or training paramedics at my local rescue squad, I view leadership as an opportunity to mentor and empower the next generation. Across all industries, it’s crucial to foster a culture where employees are not only valued but nurtured to become leaders themselves. By boldly investing in the growth of others, you create an ecosystem of innovation and responsibility that endures well beyond your own tenure. As leaders, our missions should extend beyond our walls by developing future leaders and critical thinkers.
The Path Forward
In today’s ever-changing world, consider focusing on more than achieving success. Focus on significance and leaving behind a legacy of meaningful, positive impact. For those who seek to transform and are restless about finding a way to make a difference, serving others is the way forward — whether you’re serving your team, your community, or your nation.
