Welcome to Leadership Lab, a column dedicated to biopharma executives aiming to enhance their leadership skills and advance their careers. Every other month, Michael Pietrack, the practice lead for Kaye/Bassman’s pharma and biotech recruiting team and host of “The Pharmaverse Podcast,” shares a valuable leadership insight. 

In the biopharmaceutical world, a leader’s credibility has long rested on scientific depth, operational rigor and strategic vision. But in today’s media-saturated environment, those qualities are no longer sufficient in isolation. Executives are increasingly called to represent their organizations and the science behind their technology in media interviews. These interviews are critical, as they can shape reputations, influence markets, attract talent and build trust with patients and the public.

To help you make the most of these opportunities, I spoke with three professionals who specialize in preparing biopharma executives for the spotlight: Michael Lauer, CEO of MDL Strategic Communications; Jason Braco, associate director of media relations at LifeSci Communications; and Andrew Miller, executive producer of the Pharmaverse Podcast. Their insights, combined with my own, will provide you with a well-rounded guide to preparing for media interviews.

Each type of media engagement comes with its own expectations. For exam