Leading with Heart: Polina Miklush of CSL Seqirus On The Power of Authentic Women’s Leadership
An Interview With Pirie Jones Grossman
Inspiring the Next Generation: By leading authentically as a woman, I am setting an example for the next generation of female leaders that it’s possible to lead with integrity, compassion, and strength, while still being empathetic and vulnerable. It’s essential to show that one’s gender should not limit their leadership potential, and that the unique qualities we bring as women are assets to be celebrated and utilized in leadership roles.
In today’s dynamic world, the concept of leadership is continuously evolving. While traditional leadership models have often been male-dominated, there is a growing recognition of the unique strengths and perspectives that women bring to these roles. This series aims to explore how women can become more effective leaders by authentically embracing their femininity and innate strengths, rather than conforming to traditional male leadership styles. In this series, we are talking to successful women leaders, coaches, authors, and experts who can provide insights and personal stories on how embracing their inherent feminine qualities has enhanced their leadership abilities. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Polina Miklush.
Polina Miklush is the Head of Communications at CSL Seqirus, a part of CSL and a global biotechnology leader in vaccine innovation, where she blends her dedication to public health with her expertise in strategic communications. As a PR professional and mother, Polina navigates a dynamic schedule of strategic planning and family time. Aligning with CSL’s vision of ‘always evolving for a better world,’ she’s committed to making a difference — to inspire, lead with integrity, and strive for a healthier, more informed world.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about authentic, feminine leadership, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
My career journey has been driven by my passion for communications and public health — I’ve always felt a pull to be closer to the action and have a tangible connection to helping prevent illness. After completing my MPA in Health Policy & Management at NYU and working for a number of communications agencies, I found the perfect opportunity to make a direct impact from within. When the chance to work at CSL Seqirus, a global leader in the protection of public health and one of the largest influenza vaccine providers, presented itself, I knew it was a leap I had to take, and it has proven to be one of the best career decisions I’ve made.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
There are so many stories I could share, but I think the most interesting and perhaps most intense moment of my career coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The week the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global pandemic was the same week I gave birth to my twins. This period marked an intersection of my professional expertise in vaccines and public health with the personal joy and challenges of becoming a mother during a worldwide health crisis. It underscored the importance of a supportive community and robust health infrastructure.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
To me, CSL stands out in its value-based culture that fosters continuous learning, growth, and adaptability. The environment is fast-paced and ever-changing, which keeps every day exciting and unique, with opportunities to work both in the U.S. and internationally. The support I’ve received here, whether through career growth or personal milestones like parenthood, shows a commitment to employees that is truly special.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Resilience: There’s this quote by Aristotle that resonates with me that says, “Suffering becomes beautiful when anyone bears great calamities with cheerfulness, not through insensibility but through greatness of mind.” By facing adversity and the “bad,” we can transform that into “good” and continue to grow, inspire, and be courageous. Showing grit and resilience daily helps lead a team effectively and set a tone for others to follow.
Empathy: Often empathy is seen as a weakness in leaders, especially leaders who are women, but I find it to be a strength. Being empathetic is crucial, especially when strengthening relationships with the people you work with. It also helps build the culture that I’ve grown to know and love at CSL.
Adaptability: Throughout both my personal life and work, I aim to maintain balance and set boundaries by prioritizing where to devote time, energy, and resources to keep up with ongoing tasks and avoid burnout. This approach helps me adapt quickly and seamlessly as well as steer my team in the right direction, emphasizing strategic and important projects and ideas.
Leadership often entails making difficult decisions or hard choices between two apparently good paths. Can you share a story with us about a hard decision or choice you had to make as a leader? I’m curious to understand how these challenges have shaped your leadership.
Back in 2022, “Seqirus” rebranded to “CSL Seqirus,” undergoing a unification with the CSL business. During this transition, I had to say “no” to certain ideas and opportunities, which required embracing ‘JOMO’ — the joy of missing out — a concept that involves choosing what projects to prioritize and making tough calls on what we could execute based on our resources. Making decisions that require me to say “no” is a skill I had to learn early on and now mentor others on as well.
Can you share a personal experience where embracing your unique leadership style, which might not align with traditional expectations, led to a significant positive impact in your organization or team?
Every leader has a unique style in guiding their employees and mine involves humility and servant leadership. As a servant leader, my role is to encourage my team members to think for themselves and motivate them to try out their own ideas, creating a culture of learning and support. I absolutely delight in lifting my teammates up, highlighting them, and putting the spotlight on them because when they’re successful, we’re all successful. It’s those little moments that collectively create that positive impact.
In your journey as a leader, how have you balanced demonstrating resilience, often seen as a masculine trait, with showing vulnerability, which is equally powerful, but typically feminine? Can you give an example where this balance created a meaningful difference?
Balancing resilience and vulnerability involves showing a healthy dose of grit and determination. This balance ensures that while leading with strength, I also create a supportive space where team members see me as a real person who is there for them.
There’s this book I recently read called “Surrounded by Idiots” by Thomas Erikson and while the title may come off as a bit harsh, the deeper meaning is that we are quick to judge people without getting to know them and understand their inner workings. We can uncover better outcomes by working with each other’s differences rather than ostracizing someone who thinks differently. The book delves into human behavior, assigning a color to the four types of people and their behavior types. Reds are seen as dominant and commanding, Yellows as social and optimistic, Greens as laid back and friendly, and Blues as analytical and precise. With these colors and roles, we sometimes assign a gender and with that, a type of leader we expect someone to be. Most people perceive leaders as red, however my main trait is blue with a bit of green, meaning I want to know how something works and really sit down and understand, and for me that’s the basis of resilience.
As a woman in leadership, how have you navigated and challenged gender stereotypes, especially in situations where traditional male-dominated approaches are the norm? What strategies have you employed to remain authentic to your style?
I’m fortunate enough to work at a company with many women in leadership and have a friend group comprised of strong women and mothers who are at the top of their industry. Something I often talk about with my peers is the hypothetical question of “What would a man do?” And what men typically do more than women is ask for what they want and need without hesitancy. No one is going to be your best champion except for you, and women should absolutely ask for what they want — the mentality of “the worst they can say is no” is something I implement in my day-to-day. My advice to women out there is do what a man would do, but do it even better, and in turn you will bring your full authentic self to the workplace and build trust.
How do you utilize emotional intelligence and active listening to create an inclusive environment in your team or organization? Could you share a specific instance where these qualities particularly enhanced team dynamics or performance?
Emotional intelligence and active listening are key to creating an inclusive environment. By tapping into these qualities, I’ve been able to address the needs and concerns of my team, enhancing our collective performance and fostering a culture of mutual support and understanding.
What role has mentorship played in developing your authentic leadership style, and how do you communicate authentically to inspire and empower both your mentors and mentees?
Mentorship has been instrumental in developing my leadership style. Back in my agency days, I had a mentor who led by setting a strong example of what was expected. He truly did what he preached. I remember one Friday we had a massive surprise milestone come up. He had already made his way out of the office and once we learned what was transpiring, he turned right around, headed back, and rolled up his sleeves next to the team. He worked to help move obstacles out of our way so we could do our jobs well, doing so with incredible work ethic, humor, and the ability to uplift the team despite the stress. That style of servant leadership is a page I stole out of his book and is still something I use to this day. By communicating authentically and uplifting my colleagues along the way, I aim to inspire and empower both mentors and mentees, sharing experiences and learning from one another to build a strong network of professional growth and support.
Here is the main question of our interview. Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Ways Leading Authentically as a Woman Will Affect Your Leadership”? If you can, please share a story or an example for each.
Authentic leadership as a woman isn’t just about being true to oneself, but also about leveraging one’s unique experiences and perspective to create a workplace culture that is trusting, collaborative, engaged, resilient, and forward-looking. It’s about paving the way for others and redefining what successful leadership looks like in a global context. To me, five ways to best lead as a woman include the following:
Building Trust: Authentic leadership has allowed me to establish deep trust with my team and stakeholders. By being true to my values and transparent in my communication, I’ve fostered an environment where people feel safe to express their ideas and concerns. This trust is essential in the healthcare industry, where decisions significantly impact public health and safety.
Enhancing Collaboration: As a leader, I’ve learned that embracing my unique perspective as a woman and a mother has enriched team dynamics. It encourages diverse viewpoints and more inclusive decision-making. By valuing the whole person and understanding the varied life experiences that each team member brings to the table, we collaborate more effectively, leading to innovative solutions in the complex field of vaccine development and distribution.
Improving Employee Engagement: Empathetic leadership, which is often a strength for women, leads to higher employee engagement. By actively listening, showing compassion, and being approachable, I’ve been able to connect with my team on a personal level. This connection has not only improved morale but also driven my team to go above and beyond in their roles, knowing that their contributions are valued and their well-being is a priority.
Encouraging Resilience: As both a business leader and mother, I’ve faced and overcome personal and professional challenges that have shown me the importance of resilience and perseverance. Sharing these experiences openly with my team encourages them to recognize that it’s okay to face difficulties and to grow from them. This mindset is particularly important in the fast-paced and often high-stakes environment of a global vaccine company.
Inspiring the Next Generation: By leading authentically as a woman, I am setting an example for the next generation of female leaders that it’s possible to lead with integrity, compassion, and strength, while still being empathetic and vulnerable. It’s essential to show that one’s gender should not limit their leadership potential, and that the unique qualities we bring as women are assets to be celebrated and utilized in leadership roles.
Are there potential pitfalls or challenges associated with being an empathetic leader? How can these be addressed?
To me, being an empathetic leader means balancing empathy with firm decision-making to best maintain the respect of colleagues while also ensuring personal well-being. This balancing act can be a bit of a challenge as you weigh the pros and cons of an important meeting over a dance recital, for example. It’s important to know your limits and boundaries to avoid burnout and in return, to know the limits of your employees to best support them and your team.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
The simple answer is of course a movement reminding and encouraging all those who are eligible to receive an influenza vaccine and additional annual immunization to protect themselves and loved ones from serious illness. The symptoms, risk around transmitting illness to others, and taxing the healthcare system isn’t worth it. Don’t take it from me — talk to your physician and check out resources such as flu.com and the CDC to learn what’s best for you.
The more complex answer is that I’d want to aid in reducing the stigmas around mental health, which also play a role in public health. Maybe it’s the empathetic leader in me and maybe it’s me knowing the struggles of being a working mom during the pandemic, but I think creating a culture and community that is open about what they are going through is especially important today. I always thought that mental health struggles occurred in a minority of people, but once I personally started opening up, I learned that everybody is going through something. Had I not asked or been open myself, I would have never known.
How can our readers further follow you online?
Readers can follow me on LinkedIn as well as follow the CSL LinkedIn page for more information on the work I do.
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About The Interviewer: Pirie is a TedX speaker, author and a Life Empowerment Coach. She is a co-host of Own your Throne podcast, inspiring women in the 2nd chapter of their lives. With over 20 years in front of the camera, Pirie Grossman understands the power of storytelling. After success in commercials and acting. She spent 10 years reporting for E! Entertainment Television, Entertainment Tonight, also hosted ABC’s “Every Woman”. Her work off-camera capitalizes on her strength, producing, bringing people together for unique experiences. She produced a Children’s Day of Compassion during the Dalai Lama’s visit here in 2005. 10,000 children attended, sharing ideas about compassion with His Holiness. From 2006–2009, Pirie Co-chaired the Special Olympics World Winter Games, in Idaho, welcoming 3,000 athletes from over 150 countries. She founded Destiny Productions to create Wellness Festivals and is an Advisory Board member of the Sun Valley Wellness Board.In February 2017, Pirie produced, “Love is Louder”, a Brain Health Summit, bringing in Kevin Hines, noted suicide survivor to Sun Valley who spoke to school kids about suicide. Sun Valley is in the top 5% highest suicide rate per capita in the Northwest, prompting a community initiative with St. Luke’s and other stake holders, to begin healing. She lives in Sun Valley with her two children, serves on the Board of Community School. She has her Master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica and is an Executive Life Empowerment Coach, where she helps people meet their dreams and goals! The difference between a dream and a goal is that a goal is a dream with a date on it!
