When Leadership Gets Real

What does it really take to lead a biotech company when the science is complex, the stakes are high and the answers aren’t always obvious? In this episode of **She Leads Biotech**, I’m joined by **Iris Grossman, PhD, CEO of Zelig Therapeutics**, for a candid conversation about the realities of biotech leadership and her journey from scientist to CEO. In **When Leadership Gets Real: Ego, Accountability & the Decisions That Shape Biotech Companies**, we talk about what happens when leadership moves beyond the title and you become the person ultimately accountable for the decisions. We explore why great leaders surround themselves with people who will challenge them, how founders and leadership teams need to evolve as companies grow, why strategy starts with knowing your values, and what Iris has learned about hiring beyond technical capability. Iris also talks openly about making decisions without perfect information, handling difficult performance conversations, keeping ego out of leadership — and why patient impact remains her North Star. **Chapters** 00:00 Introduction 03:17 A Patient-Centric North Star 05:46 The Scientist Inside the CEO 07:04 Turning Science into Patient Impact 10:14 The Reality of CEO Accountability 13:30 When Founders and Companies Need to Evolve 14:39 Why Independent Boards Matter 15:43 Strategy Starts with Values 17:17 Why Zelig Became a Call to Action 20:01 Making Decisions Through Uncertainty 23:28 Why Personality Matters in Hiring 26:24 The Difficult People Decisions Leaders Must Make 30:09 Why Biotech Is Ultimately About People 🎧 **Follow She Leads Biotech for more conversations with the people building, leading and shaping biotech.** #SheLeadsBiotech #BiotechLeadership #Biotech #LifeSciences #WomenInBiotech #Leadership