Empowering the Next Generation of Quality Leaders
Taking on new challenges is nothing new for Jerry Greco. Jerry has had a rich and varied career that has encompassed everything from luxury brands to life-saving and sustaining products, from Microbiologist in a lab to leading teams and companies in the Quality function.
At Baxter, he is piloting new ways of getting work done while embracing agility, innovation and quality delivery. Through it all, the common denominator has been an insistence on developing people and growing careers without compromising quality. Here are Jerry's thoughts on building a career with meaning and purpose.
“We make the critical products that people depend on at the most important times in their life.”
“They're putting their full trust that what we say the product will do IS WHAT THE PRODUCT WILL DO. They may not even know it's a Baxter product, but they trust us and we have a big responsibility to fulfill that trust. I feel very strongly about this promise we make to our patients and healthcare providers. This is why I've always worked in the healthcare and industry. We have the ability to touch so many lives. People don't choose our products necessarily. They have enough to think about in the midst of a crisis. Our products should not be one of them. ”
My Advice to You
Years ago, an old mentor of mine sat me down and gave me some advice. I jotted them down on a post-it note that I kept hanging in my office for years. I learned them by heart, and I share them as often as I can.
1. Be Audible and Be Visible
Whether you are an individual contributor or a leader, and maybe especially as a leader, it is essential to have a voice and to be engaged in the conversation. If you sit quietly and do not contribute, people may question whether you are even listening to them. I always try to find something to say, even if it is just to acknowledge what someone else has said. This shows that you are paying attention and that you care about what they are doing
2. Create Partnerships
Through good communication and collaboration skills, you can build a network of people who can help you get things done. Through these partnerships, you can influence outcomes, build strong networks, and work together to achieve common goals.
3. Surround Yourself with Great Talent
You are only as successful as your team. It is essential to surround yourself with the best talent possible. This means hiring the right people with the right capabilities in the right roles. As a leader, you need to be able to identify and develop talent and be willing to invest in your team's growth and development.
4. Follow Through on Commitments
If you say you are going to do something, you need to do it, and you need to do it and you need to do it on time. If you cannot, you need to communicate that as soon as possible, not when you are late. This shows that you are reliable and that you can be trusted.
My Advice to you
Years ago, and old mentor of mine sat me down and gave me some advice. I jotted them down on a post-it note that I kept hanging in my office for years. I learned them by heart and I share them as often as I can. Post-its may be a thing of the past, but great advice never ages.
Be Audible and Be Visible
Whether you are an individual contributor or a leader, and maybe especially as a leader, it is essential to have a voice and to be engaged in the conversation. If you sit quietly and do not contribute, people may question whether you are even listening to them. I always try to find something to say, even if it is just to acknowledge what someone else has said. This shows that you are paying attention and that you care about what they are doing
Create Partnerships
Through good communication and collaboration skills, you can build a network of people who can help you get things done. Through these partnerships, you can influence outcomes, build strong networks, and work together to achieve common goals.
Headline
You are only as successful as your team. It is essential to surround yourself with the best talent possible. This means hiring the right people with the right capabilities in the right roles. As a leader, you need to be able to identify and develop talent and be willing to invest in your team's growth and development.
Follow-thru on Commitments
If you say you are going to do something, you need to do it, and you need to do it on time. If you cannot, you need to communicate that as soon as possible, not when you are late. This shows that you are reliable and that you can be trusted.
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Staying Connected to our work
I always try to be visible on the plant floor, talking to people who are directly involved in the manufacturing process. I care about the work they do and I care about them. I take every opportunity to ask questions and learn more. You have to stay curious and you have to take yourself out of your comfort zone. I make it a point to talk to people at all levels of the organization. This helps me to stay connected to the people who are doing the work and to understand their challenges and opportunities.
Similarly, some of our colleagues in manufacturing may only see a small part of the final end product. The work they do is critical but they don't always see the whole picture. I always insist on having a full final product on display on the floor so everyone can see what they are building and what they are contributing towards. We all need to find these connections in our work.
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Join Our Talent Community
We're grateful for your interest in a career with Baxter, and would like to get to know you. Joining our Talent Community is a great way to stay connected, learn more about Baxter, and help our recruiters find you if there's an opportunity that aligns with your background, skills and interests.