Healthy, happy and motivated employees = the most important asset!

This week, we continue our in-depth exploration of the characteristics that make up the ideal profile of today's leader: inspiring and caring!

A leader with integrity, a sense of communication and the ability to set a course, not to mention the ability to have a vision for the company and the capacity to decide... The different facets that characterize a good leader are multiple, but if some of these are essential, others, however, are often put aside.

In our quest to better integrate what a leader of today should be and do, we found some very interesting answers in Kristel De Bisschop, General Manager of Pierre Fabre Benelux Laboratories. In addition to the fact that she is, in our opinion, a brilliant woman, we are enthusiastic about her alternative vision. Focus, then!

"There is no manual or recipe for good leadership. But I dare to say that to be a Leader, empathic notions are as important as intellectual skills. EQ is even more important than IQ! And this is where things often go wrong: a business leader can excel in numbers, but have little or no empathic skills to manage, motivate and inspire a team. We warned you, with Kristel, it's a real head turner!

Few Leaders rightly express this view. And many captains of industry even forget this aspect of things. Yet, in today's society, the happiness and well-being of workers seem to be essential to running a business. "The values of our pharmaceutical company and its holistic approach are very much in line with my mission of "Caring for others... to live better". Our employees remain at the heart of our daily thinking and actions. The book "Wellbeing = Profit", written by my sister Ann De Bisschop, makes it clear that healthy, happy and motivated employees are the most important asset. A strong and motivated team is the key to profit. And expressing appreciation is the key to getting everyone involved.

In the book "Wellbeing = Profit", the author theorizes on the concept of

"4C"... "4C" for: Communication, Collaboration, Connection and the English word Care. Kristel De Bisschop details this theory for us, while making it clear from the outset that "The "4Cs" that her sister Ann talks about in her book are also her leitmotif and inspiration as a leader.

COMMUNICATION: this is more important than ever in hybrid work. It is essential to be able to express one's feelings and to give regular feedback.

COLLABORATION: "I don't have time right now" is a statement to be avoided, as employees do not perceive any commitment to their priorities. A manager needs to be accessible and available to allow people to grow.

CONNECTION: in other words, organize "check-in" moments, take the time to listen to employees and trust them.

Finally, CARE: this word is used too frivolously. It means much more than offering a bottle of wine or a basket of fruit. Wellness is a shared responsibility between the company, the manager and the employee.

We finally learned that our expert has a leitmotiv in which she believes hard: "Be well to Be at your Best". Quite a program!

To conclude, I would like to quote this sentence from Ronald Reagan, former US President, which is perfectly suited to the ideas and concepts defended by the Director of Pierre Fabre Benelux Laboratories: "The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one who leads people to do the greatest things". Edifying!

Oh yes, I forgot. At the LOBBY AWARDS, Kristel De Bisschop and Pierre Fabre Benelux Laboratories sponsored the Female Leader of the Year Award. And it was Ilham Kadri, CEO of Solvay, who won. This could not have come at a better time, as it illustrates perfectly the spirit with which the Director of Pierre Fabre Benelux sees Win-Win Leadership.

If you want to learn more about this Win-Win Leadership, go to the page turner of the latest LOBBY HERE.

Until then, this weekend...take very CARE!