Who’s the BoSS?

In a Building Our Sustainable Society (BoSS) podcast, Diana Silva MD and Artemis Matsou MD hosted a discussion on the leadership lessons that ophthalmologists can learn from others in the industry. Sharing their expertise were Jeanette Bankes, President and General Manager for Global Surgical at Alcon; Ana Neves, Global Head of Strategic Marketing at Zeiss Ophthalmology; and Magda Michna PhD, Chief Clinical, Regulatory, and Medical Affairs Officer at Staar Surgical Company.

Dr Matsou noted that unlike professionals in the corporate world, clinicians typically lack formal leadership training and learn on the job with little guidance. She asked what industry strategies physicians can adopt to become more effective and confident leaders.

Ms Bankes emphasised the importance of structured leadership training, tailored to distinct career paths, whether in academia or private practice, and highlighted the pivotal role of people leadership.

“What I’d love to see is a more deeply rooted foundation in physician training early on to navigate both a complex reimbursement structure and also how to effectively run a business in terms of both finances and people management,” she said, adding that a crucial aspect of leadership is the ability to inspire and guide a team towards shared goals while addressing their individual aspirations.

“Successful companies have demonstrated time and time again that investment in people leadership results in higher outcomes, so I’d put people first,” Ms Bankes said. “That would be my request of you—learn people leadership.”

Ms Neves noted that leadership encompasses various competencies, and it may therefore be more effective to take a staggered approach rather than addressing all of them simultaneously.

“Some people have some innate leadership skills already, but I think some sort of structured approach on the basics of managing people would be a good step,” she said. “On the business side, [a good step would be] financial management basics and knowing the profit and loss margin.”

Dr Michna noted that when she transitioned from academia to industry, she noticed companies often struggled with leadership due to a lack of understanding of their goals.

“You might have physicians that are very skilled technically, but on the people skills side, they may have some work to do,” she said. “But perhaps it’s not even important for them to be necessarily leaders of people. You have to ask yourself, do you want to lead an organisation, or do you want to be a technical leader, based on your technical skills? There are different types of leadership.”

Different types of leadership

Dr Matsou asked the panel if they thought women are better represented today in leadership positions both in ophthalmology and the industry.

“I think we are progressing, but we are far away from parity,” said Ms Neves.

“It is not because there are not enough women who are capable leaders, but I think the decision makers simply have an aversion to risk and they will look for the same type of people they have always appointed to such positions.”

She added that closing the gender gap in leadership may require women to step outside their comfort zone and be more assertive in expressing their views.

The conversation then turned to whether female leaders must adopt some traditionally male traits to become successful leaders, or whether a perfectly feminine and traditional female can achieve that as well.

“I don’t think women should try to be like men at all. I actually think the opposite,” said Dr Michna.

“I think there are skills that women have that men do not have, just innately. I think, as women, we succeed when we leverage strong collaboration skills, emotional intelligence, inclusivity, focus, and a more holistic approach to work-life balance. Trying to define success in a male version of success [probably] isn’t going to be the way to make yourself happy. But what you can do is leverage the strengths you do have as a female.”

Ms Bankes concurred, saying, “Let’s praise the differences. We tend to be high communicators, high energy, or emotional in nature. Instead of emulating your male counterpart, try to figure out what is the most effective way to deliver your own communication style.”

Dr Matsou closed the discussion by asking if the panel saw any conscious or unconscious biases in how industry selects the key opinion leaders who bridge the gap between innovation and clinical adoption.

Noting she has never encountered bias in the major ophthalmology companies she has worked for, Dr Michna said that what companies seek in key opinion leaders are intellectually curious surgeons and clinicians who are eager to answer fundamental questions and advance medical knowledge in the industry, regardless of the product.

“If I was talking to a young ophthalmologist, I would say do good work, be a good surgeon. Don’t worry about being a key opinion leader—that will come. Most of the key opinion leaders have been at this for 20-odd years, so be patient but do good work. Just be a good surgeon and do good research. And it will come.”

She also encouraged participation in organisations such as Ophthalmic World Leaders and in networks where they can find inspirational leaders to emulate.

“Mentorship and sponsorship are important. Seek out the people that you admire and aspire to be like to help you in your career journey,” Dr Michna said.

BoSS is an ESCRS initiative, inspired by 2024–2025 President Filomena Ribeiro, that focuses on fostering an inclusive culture among members, staff, and industry partners in ophthalmology.

The podcast may be viewed here.

Artemis Matsou MD, MRCP(UK), FEBOS-CR, FEBO, PgDip CRS is Consultant Ophthalmologist and Cataract Lead at Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, UK. art.matsou@gmail.com

Diana Silva MD, FEBO is based at Hospital da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal.