Leveraging Change for Growth
Renuka Uppaluri is an accomplished and visionary leader in Research & Development, with years of experience driving innovation and advancing the development of life-changing treatments and therapies. As Baxter faces a new phase of transformation, we sat down with Renuka to talk about how she navigates change while staying grounded in our mission. As she says, “I have dedicated my career to the healthcare space. Every day I walk in the shoes of the people who use our products or experience the illnesses we are trying to mitigate. The healthcare industry is where I belong.”
The Journey From Skilled Engineer To Leader
While I have always worked in Research and Development (R&D), I started taking on leadership roles early in my career. I have always liked to understand the whole picture and to be a part of the decision-making process. It is my responsibility to have a 360-degree view and consider all the factors that might affect our work, not just the ones that are directly related to my silo. Leadership is ultimately about making decisions and connecting the dots.
Leading Through Transition
I recently spoke to a team about their fears of taking on products from another location. They were hesitant and unsure of their capabilities. However, I have confidence in them. I believe people will rise to the challenge when given the opportunity. I understand that it can be difficult to take on something new, but I believe in the abilities of our people. While doubt and surprise are normal in situations like these, I have faith in their ability to succeed. It is my job to give them the opportunities to rise.
How Do you Connect With Our Mission?
I have two family members, my father and father-in-law, who have been on dialysis for about ten years. I live this life. I live it every day, and in my situation, they are in my house a lot of the time. At least once a week, I’ll be in the clinic to pick them up or drop them off. As a patient caregiver, I have realized the importance of quality of life for patients with chronic diseases. It's not just the patients who are affected; their families are also impacted. As a company, the more we can do with advocacy, training, reimbursement, and policy shaping, the better for everyone. It's an exciting time for me, knowing that my work can make a difference.
Share some of the best advice you have gotten that has helped you grow in your career
The first time I became a senior leader, I had been out of graduate school for 8 years. My leader handpicked me. I thought he was crazy, and when I asked him why he would make such a decision, he said, "If I don't take big risks, I won't get the big rewards."
He told me that I would also need to convince others who would be a part of the final decision. He said that if I tried to be ‘all-knowing,’ then I would not be authentic, and they would be able to tell that. When I went into the interviews, I was not afraid to say, "I don't know," but I also surprised myself by having strong opinions about matters I hadn't even realized I had had. It is about making connections from what you know and applying them to a new scenario.
A Few Last Words?
Have as many experiences as possible because they will ultimately inform your decisions. No one has the answers to all the questions and choices you must make. You will only know in hindsight what you should have done, right or wrong. But you will take that learning to the next situation and make slightly more informed decisions. And so, the cycle will continue.
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