Lenka Fussiova – Manager

A childhood dream of becoming a pianist was overtaken by the reality of a life in pharmacy and biotech. but Lenka Fussiova has no complaints.

What’s your story?

I was born in the Czech Republic. As a child, I was obsessed with being a teacher and playing the piano. None of these happened. My studies focused on health, and as the first graduate of the town´s gymnasium ever, I was accepted to study pharmacy.

Shortly after the political changes in 1989 my country faced unique dynamics, full of new opportunities; I chose to enter the commercial world, replacing pharmacy by working in the biotech industry. I have found interesting and valuable connections between pharma and diagnostic expertise, expanding my understanding of the possibilities patients can achieve.

What excites you most about your industry?

The biotech industry has incredible potential to support physicians’ daily decisions when interacting with patients. Collaborating on adopting technologies and other diagnostic tools in clinical practice is rewarding. It’s also a unique opportunity to keep in touch with clever ideas brought to life thanks to well-orchestrated teamwork. During the 30 years I have been in the industry, things have changed a lot. I am excited by the possibilities healthcare faces regarding quality, speed, and connectivity in a time of discoveries that move the prevention and treatment of diseases to a new light.

What drives you in your career to push beyond what other people consider normal?

First, I would never be where I am today without my mentor. My interest in new things, the capacity to be open to new opportunities, and to keep disciplined life dedicated to education, training, and testing were driven and nurtured by the wisdom I received. I am getting to know more, and more thoroughly, and am interested in many channels supporting health and well-being. We can be closer to each other and better understand our needs, conditions, and pains when we have the capacity for them. I am working every day to expand this capacity. People deserve care and understanding.

What have been the most useful skills you have learnt and applied in your journey?

I have learned to be a better listener, be patient with myself, be disciplined concerning time and activities, invest in my education, to be open to gaining knowledge from a wide range of areas, from coding to painting a canvas or writing a book. I am not saying I have succeeded in everything, but taking time for exploration is the unreplaceable way to gain experience, connect things and actions, and teach brain thinking differently.

What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?

There are things we can control, but some are out of our control, and we need to accept them. Welcome change and live without fear. Forgiveness and love belong here too. These are advice I have received and constantly keep in my life suitcase.

Who inspires you?

Inspiration comes from anyone. The good or those we may disagree with. Both are sources of our life experience, and we need them.

What have you learnt recently that blew you away?

The news about GPT brings many emotions. Considering the health system, I see great potential for achieving highly personalized patient treatment approaches. I believe the treatment strategies will evolve significantly.

If you had your time again, what would you do differently?

I am not sure if I would do anything differently. The road we take has many unknowns; we are also strongly determined by the environment in which we grow up. I may say I would try more things and be less worried, but in the end, we do our best with the constellation we face.

How do you unwind?

I go for long walks, taking photos of nature around me and listening to music or my favourite podcasts or books. I love painting, usually abstract motives for enhancing my imagination and portraits when I need to switch my total focus. I also find that unique peace comes in the company of a generation born long ago.

What is a major mindset change, belief shift or ‘ah ha’ moment that you’ve experienced in relation to your career?

It is being open to any circumstances, welcoming change, learning, and serving daily.

Everyone in business should read this book:

I would recommend the book I have read recently. It’s from Ozan Varol and has the name Awaken Your Genius. The reader is invited in many directions touching business, art, human interactions, our inner world, teaching us to see, be curious, and much more. When exploring a list of books and other sources, the author went through when writing his book, I feel deep respect and something higher. Both are needed in life and business too.

Shameless plug for your business or career:

I believe working more than 30 years in healthcare helped me understand the field well. I am always grateful to meet new technologies and see their impact on treating diseases. But I want to point out here that I also believe in the body’s potential to prevent illness, eventually, in the healing wisdom each of us has.

How can people connect with you?

People can connect with me via LinkedIn.

Social Media Links?

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenka-fussiova-a93559192/

This interview is part of the CallumConnects series.