Dr. E. Anders Kolb on Mission-Driven Leadership - Chief Influencer - Episode # 061

Chief Influencer

Today, we are honored to host Dr. E. Anders Kolb, President and CEO of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

With a distinguished background as a pediatric hematologist oncologist, Dr. Kolb's journey is intertwined with a deeply personal commitment—fueled by his wife's battle with follicular lymphoma—to eradicating these diseases. Today, he leads LLS with a vision that combines compassionate patient care with pioneering research.

In this episode, Dr. Kolb shares his insights on fostering community engagement, driving scientific innovation, and advocating for health equity. His leadership style, marked by empathy and a steadfast dedication to improving patient outcomes, underscores his role in guiding one of the most influential organizations in cancer research and patient support.

Takeaways:

• Embrace a Learner's Mindset: Always approach new situations with a willingness to learn, listen before acting, and consider experts' opinions. This mindset fosters continuous growth and effective problem-solving.
• Understand the Business: Take the time to deeply understand the business operations and challenges, even if it requires a significant investment of time, such as through a listening tour or similar initiative.
• Stay Connected to the Mission: Ensure that all team members remain focused on the organization's mission. Start meetings with a "mission moment" to ground everyone in the purpose of their work, which can keep the team inspired and aligned.
• Advocate for Patients and Families: As a healthcare organization, always prioritize the needs of patients and families in your initiatives. This strengthens any organization's credibility and trustworthiness and ensures that efforts are patient-centered.
• Inspire Through Communication: Use empathy in your interactions to connect emotionally with your team and motivate them. Sharing patient stories and emphasizing the impact of their work can enhance commitment and drive.
• Lead by Example: Demonstrate humility and a willingness to learn from others, regardless of your position. This leadership style fosters a collaborative environment and encourages others to adopt a similar approach.
• Solve the Big Problems: Lean into the challenges faced by the community you serve. Collect stories and data to identify systemic issues and work collaboratively to find meaningful solutions. This approach ensures that the organization addresses the root causes of problems effectively.

Quote of the Show:

• "In our company meetings, we always start with a mission moment, grounding ourselves in the patient experience and celebrating exciting innovations from our research funding. This ensures everyone is present, inspired, and ready to dive into our work."

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/e-anders-kolb-md-5508a7a/
• Website: https://www.lls.org/

Shout Outs:

• Nemours Children’s Health: https://www.nemours.org/
• Sidney Kimmel Medical College: https://www.jefferson.edu/academics/colleges-schools-institutes/skmc.html
• Delaware Today: https://delawaretoday.com/
• Philadelphia Magazine: https://www.phillymag.com/
• SEMA: https://sites.sema.org/awards/award_sema_news_articles.php
• Fast Company: https://www.fastcompany.com/
• AKACA: https://advocacy.lls.org/a/akaca
• Myeloma Link: https://www.lls.org/myeloma-link
• LLS PedAL: https://www.lls.org/dare-to-dream/pedal
• FDA: https://www.fda.gov/