One Step Ahead

iX Biopharma Chairman and CEO Eddy Lee is an exemplar of the kind of forward-thinking vision a leader needs to have.

- Oliver Featherston

In the words of Eddy Lee, Chairman and CEO of iX Biopharma, a good leader should be a “visionary, someone who is able to formulate new ideas and concepts but, more importantly, assemble like-minded people, sell them these ideas and then commit them to the cause”.

Such an attitude is well-suited to the pharmaceutical industry, in which the Singaporean iX Biopharma operates. Pharmaceuticals is, after all, a constantly evolving field, and requires constant innovation to stay relevant. This is why Eddy takes a far-sighted approach to his work, framing himself as a transformational rather than a transactional leader.

Where transactional leaders aim to maintain smooth day-to-day operations, transformational leaders are focused on the long-term betterment of their staff, and on guiding and changing the business. “Transformational leaders communicate a new vision, and try to get others to see the vision, while dedicating themselves to it,” Eddy says. “It’s more like a creative community where people have a sense of belonging and are working towards a goal larger than themselves.”