As one of the UK’s leading executives, Dame Emma Walmsley interacts with global leaders, has been recognized for her industrial contributions, and heads a pharmaceutical company that saves countless lives. Nonetheless, Walmsley believes that neither she nor any other CEO possesses superhuman abilities.

During a rare public discussion on leadership, the GSK CEO emphasized the need for leaders to understand that they are not all-powerful beings with answers to everything.

“I’ve never subscribed to that idea, and I sometimes find it unfortunate that CEOs are often depicted this way,” she remarked.

In an extensive conversation with Octavius Black, the co-founder of MindGym, a workplace training company listed on AIM, Walmsley revealed she never wakes up feeling powerful, regardless of her location. “Being a leader is about unlocking both individual and collective potential,” she added.

GSK, a major UK pharmaceutical giant, employs roughly 69,400 staff members and operates in over 80 markets globally.

Walmsley, now 53, has held the CEO position since 2017 and also serves as a non-executive director at Microsoft. She mentioned that managing her energy and its impact is crucial.

“In any leadership role, not just as a CEO, you need to be aware of your impact on others,” she said.

“Whether you’re addressing a large audience or having a one-on-one conversation, your energy can uplift, inspire, clarify, or reassure others. Being acutely conscious of this impact helps people do more and aspire to do more,” she explained.

Walmsley credited her background, stating that as the daughter of a naval officer, she understands the importance of setting a clear direction and articulating a vision to guide people.

She also addressed the challenge posed by numerous lawsuits in the US alleging that Zantac, an old GSK blockbuster drug, caused cancer.

“If a lawsuit severely impacts the market value of several companies in the sector, and involves a drug launched when I was in high school, does it change GSK’s investment or strategy, or affect my job?

“We quickly reassured everyone that science supports our stance. We will defend our position rigorously; it will take time due to the US legal framework, but rest assured, the best lawyers are on the case.

“We have a specialized expert team handling this issue, while the rest of the company, 98 percent, focuses on discovering and developing medicines and vaccines,” Walmsley concluded.