Nordic Life Science 1
Parkler got a wake-up call when a former manager
urged her to jump on a new experience. “I strongly believe in the concept of lifelong learning and love to explore new things and develop myself so I consider myself being someone who learns every day. Then my manager said, ‘Malin, your learning curve is flat’, meaning that I learn, but can learn and develop more.” Failure is not an enemy, she says. “I have learned as a leader and a mentor that I can ride things out,” Parkler notes. “I make sure I go through mud and difficulty. I’m not afraid of being unsuccessful. If I fail at something, I learned something. I’ve learned not to just try something twice. If you really want something, don’t give up. Just find a way.” Her advice to other female executives and rising executives is to define how to make a difference, find a voice and make it heard, and speak about the things that you believe matter and where they can matter. “Ask yourself if your heart is in it. Then lean in. Be curious, don’t underestimate the value of communication.” Parkler also hopes to see the Nordic region’s already solid life sciences industry thrive and grow. A strong research and innovation-driven environment and advanced production is fundamental for a solid life sciences footprint, according to Parkler. “We have this in the Nordic countries, although I can speak mostly for Sweden. This is nothing to take for granted, it needs investments to be sustained. Incentives and strong interest from the government are needed as well, not only for the companies, but for the whole ecosystem. There needs to be investment in strong and sustainable research environments. Broad, basic research is required, but also long-term research and innovation programs in clinical research, and not to be forgotten, the importance of healthcare that is world class where new technologies, treatments, medicines and vaccines are introduced. The drive to build knowledge and evolve needs to be ‘in the air, everywhere’.” 41