How pharma giant AbbVie holds leaders accountable for culture

Core Insights - AbbVie has prioritized culture as a strategic business element since its spin-off from Abbott Laboratories in 2013, recognizing that employee skills and ideas are crucial for long-term growth in pharmaceuticals [1] - The company emphasizes that sustainable performance is linked to employee experience, with a focus on long-term engagement rather than short-term financial gains [2] Leadership and Accountability - AbbVie has established clear expectations for leaders through its 'Ways We Work' framework, which includes behaviors such as accountability, transparency, and the pursuit of excellence [3] - Leadership behaviors are integrated into performance reviews, ensuring that cultural values are actively measured and not just stated [4] Employee Engagement and Trust - Surveys indicate that 84% of AbbVie employees in Europe feel that managers genuinely care about their well-being, significantly higher than the 51% average in typical European companies [6] - High levels of trust in leadership correlate with increased discretionary effort, with 92% of AbbVie employees willing to put in extra effort compared to 59% in typical workplaces [7] Cultural Integration and Support - AbbVie has implemented practices to onboard new leaders effectively, focusing on cultural expectations rather than solely on business performance [9] - The company has a culture ambassador program with around 70 volunteers who work on improving workplace practices and fostering a supportive environment [11] Continuous Improvement - The 'Ways We Work' principles are intended to be integrated into daily operations, not just discussed during annual events [12] - Data is utilized to identify areas for improvement, with leaders encouraged to seek feedback from employees to enhance workplace culture [14]