There is a set of decisions that make us take a certain path, not only as professionals, but as human beings”. This is the vision of Marta Contente, who argues that one is, the result of the options that are assumed along the way. Director of Worldwide HEOR, Immunology, Fibrosis & Cardiovasvular at Bristol Myers Squibb, completed the AESE Executive MBA in 2013. In the future, he sees himself doing “the same as I do today, or something very different, but if I continue to learn and if I can continue to teach and inspire others, I have no doubt that this is the right path.
What are the main milestones in your professional career, which contributed to reaching the position in which you are?
Being where you are may not be due to a specific factor, but I like to believe that there is a set of decisions that make us take a certain path, not only as professionals, but as human beings.
I consider that training is one of the pillars that makes us who we are. And training goes through what we learn in the work environment, what challenges we expose ourselves to, with whom we learn and in whom we are inspired (colleagues, managers, mentors, friends), and also in the formal, academic training in which we invest. In my case, a postgraduate degree that gave me entry into a more technical aspect, and the Executive MBA from AESE that allowed me another vision and approach to the challenges (and decision-making) of companies.
What were your main achievements?
The career I have built internationally, the recognition of peers, and the respect of my team.
What are the main lessons that make you the leader you are today?
Resilience (a term that is now fashionable, but for me it doesn’t go out of fashion) that may even be innate to us, but that is also worked on; and over time (perhaps this is called maturity J) we learn to “make it work” without feeling that it has consumed our energy. With the less good we just have to learn and follow.
What values do you govern yourself by and that you transmit to your teams?
Collaboration. Sharing knowledge, sharing experiences and sharing time are essential for a healthier and more enriching work environment.
The Passion. Putting passion into what we do, energizes us and energizes others, increases productivity, but above all makes each individual have a greater sense of belonging to the project and the company.
Respect. Without a doubt and above all! For the other, for the work of the other, for the time of the other, for the family life of the other. We are better people when we put ourselves at the feet of others and walk with them.
If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?
There was a time when I rushed to take a job. A time of great forced learning. Today perhaps I would do it differently. I say maybe, because only when we are faced with certain situations do we know what we are doing, and in an exactly the same situation, perhaps “being myself” would lead me to the same decision. But rationally, today, I know it was a bad option. But as with everything, you learn – and the people I am today, you also owe this learning.
Professionally, how do you see yourself in 5 years?
Doing something I like. It may even be the same as I do today, or something very different, but if I continue to learn and if I can continue to teach and inspire others, I have no doubt that this is the right path.
