Guest speakers close NACDS Annual offering leadership advice, outlining Biden’s healthcare plans

As the light at the end of the tunnel begins to come into view, Harris, who has spent three decades on Wall Street, sees the glass as half-full for retail pharmacy, noting that people always remember those who were there for them during a tough time — and the industry consistently was there with the right products at the right time.

"[Drug stores] had inventory and product before other places did and they were accessible," she said. "You were always open. You are one of most trusted institutions in the country. That trust will be essential as we go into territories unknown. Every day we live through 2021 are territories unknown.”

Harris also sized up the state of the economy, noting that interest rates are low and likely to remain that way, likely paving the way for a strong labor market. She said that it will take innovation and strong leadership to attain and retain the best workforce that will engage customers. 

"How do you show up as an influential leader to take advantage of an advancing economy that we will see in 2021 and 2022?" she said. Key elements she outlined included intentional leadership and authenticity. 

“Leadership does not just happen, because you’re senior or have more years in an environment," she said. As for authenticity, it can offer a competitive advantage. "I have figured out most people are not comfortable in their own skin. When they see someone who is, they will gravitate toward you. When you bring your authentic self, people trust you. Trust is at the heart of a successful relationship.”

Harris said that to be a successful leader, transparency is crucial, as are showing empathy and building trust.

"Transparency is a key ingredient in building trust. You’ll need trust of your colleagues to follow them in territories unknown,” she said. “Now is not the time as a leader to behave as if what’s going on around is not impacting you. There isn’t a person that’s not feeling some kind of way by witnessing social unrest in the world. You have an outsized environment to provoke and instigate courageous conversations.”

Creating clarity also is crucial for successful leaders. “Your job is to create clarity, define what success looks like for your team, even if you have no visibility about what’s in front of you. You can’t be afraid of making a mistake. Start on the journey. If you realize you’re on the wrong path, you fail fast and extract the learning and use that to invest in the next try and impact the next success,” she said.

Harris advised that leaders must be disproportionally focused on creating other leaders. "The way you amplify your impact is you create leaders in the organization by being intentional. You have capacity and chances are you can manage a lot on your plate concurrently. It is important you leave that capacity so you can evolve into the most powerful leader. Today, a leader’s job is all about insight."   

Harris also pointed out that leaders must be intentional about diversity. "It is critical you are thoughtful about diversity and inclusion if you want to innovate. Start with a lot of different people in the room. If millennials don’t see that in organizations they won’t go there and if they go they won’t stay," she said.

Successful leaders also must be mindful about inclusivity. "How do you show up as an inclusive leader? Solicit other people’s voices. Engage with your teams so you can authentically invite people into your team by name. Everyone values being heard," she said.

Finally, Harris said you must be willing to call a thing a thing no matter how bad the thing may be. "It is critical that you not be so afraid. Fear has no place in your success equation. The pearls of intentional leadership, the strand that holds the pearls together is courage. It takes courage to build trust and to bring your authentic self into any environment."

Harris’ remarks were followed by Cedric Richmond, senior advisor to President Joe Biden and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. He said Biden’s first 100 days in office have provided victories and opportunity to reflect. 

“The last 100 days have not been easy. The first priority was getting the pandemic under control," he said. "As we have over 200 million doses delivered, and half of our citizens protected from the virus, pharmacy leaders, and team members have stayed open to meet America’s health and wellness. They scaled testing and were effective in getting vaccines in arms efficiently and equitably. That has allowed the Biden-Harris administration to reach the 100-day mark."

Richmond praised NACDS' members, saying the Administration was thankful to them for keeping food, health-and-wellness products, consumer goods and, yes, even toilet paper on shelves through the worst of the pandemic to ensure Americans continue to have access to what they need.

Richmond went on to say that 100 days ago and now, "our number one priority is getting relief to those who need it and putting us on a path to building back better. In President Biden’s 100 days, we've gotten Americans back on track through vaccinating people and showing that government can deliver for all its people."

He reiterated the president's pledge to make it so Americans can celebrate together on Independence Day this year, and that the administration remains committed to addressing disparities in the country.

“Americans have been hit hard from a health and economic perspective and these simultaneous crises have laid bare disparities,” he said. “The American Rescue Plan, the American Jobs Plan and now the American Families Plan, that will make investments and support Americans when they need it. This will be done with an eye toward racial justice and to decrease disparities. Biden said that on July 4th we will be able to celebrate together. We have over 200 million shots in arms, and anyone over 16 is eligible for the vaccine. Two-thirds of seniors are vaccinated. Each day Biden follows through on his commitment.”

Finally, Richmond noted that yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced its updated mask policy for fully vaccinated Americans to no longer require them to wear masks outdoors if not at large gatherings. “It’s a step toward our fourth of July promise," he said. "Let’s keep up the work. I look forward to the time when we can be together soon."