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The Human Side of Leadership: Building a Culture of Purpose-Driven Performance with Jeff Schaffnit
What changes when the work you lead is deeply personal? For Jeff Schaffnit, his career in the pharmaceutical industry is directly connected to his son, Carter, who was born with severe hemophilia. That personal experience shaped not only the work Jeff chose to pursue, but the kind of leader he strives to be. In this episode of The Athletics of Business, Ed Molitor and Jeff dive into what it takes to build a culture where purpose and performance strengthen one another. Jeff shares why patient stories serve as a North Star for his team, how he evaluates talent through the lens of heart, mind, and execution, and why great teammates put the patient and the team ahead of individual recognition. He also explores the human side of leadership: building trust, calling out silos, coaching instead of simply telling, developing future leaders, creating space for vulnerability, and helping people manage their time and energy in demanding environments. As AI continues to influence healthcare and business, Jeff offers a powerful reminder: technology may change how the work gets done, but the future still belongs to leaders and organizations that keep humanity at the center.   OUR GUEST Jeff Schaffnit is the General Manager and Head of Rare Blood Disorders at Sanofi, where he leads work focused on serving patients and families impacted by rare blood disorders. With more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Jeff is known for his ability to build and inspire high-performing teams, design effective commercial organizations, and translate complex challenges into clear, pragmatic strategies that deliver results. His leadership approach combines a strong strategic lens with disciplined execution, enabling teams to perform in dynamic and highly regulated environments. His connection to this work is deeply personal. Jeff’s son, Carter, was born with severe hemophilia, an experience that helped shape Jeff’s career and continues to influence the way he leads. For Jeff, the mission is not abstract. It is about helping patients live fuller lives and building teams that understand the responsibility and privilege of serving them. At his core, Jeff believes that performance is built through people—through clarity, alignment, trust, and a shared commitment to purpose. And ultimately, the true measure of success is the impact that work has on patients’ lives. Jeff holds an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: How Jeff’s son’s hemophilia diagnosis shaped his career and personal mission. Why patient stories keep teams connected to the meaning behind their work. How Jeff builds culture around purpose-driven performance. Why he looks for heart, mind, and execution when building a team. What great teammates understand about collaboration, ego, and accountability. Why trust begins with listening, especially when leading new people or teams. The difference between coaching someone and simply telling them what to do. How leaders can model wellness, boundaries, and energy management. Why Jeff’s team encourages people to “Find Your Five” and reclaim meaningful time. Why vulnerability has been one of Jeff’s most important leadership growth areas. How leaders can transform while performing without losing sight of the human impact. Why a leader’s most important job is developing the team. Why Jeff believes the future of leadership and healthcare must remain human first.   RESOURCES & LINKS  Jeff Schaffnit LinkedIn: Jeff Schaffnit Sanofi: Sanofi US Article: To Drive Value in Hematology Research, We Must Prioritize the Patient Experience   Ed Molitor LinkedIn: Ed Molitor  Website: CoEffex YouTube Channel: The Athletics of Business   TIMESTAMPS 00:01:19 What gets Jeff out of bed every morning 00:02:18 Jeff’s personal connection to hemophilia 00:04:40 Why patient stories anchor the team’s purpose 00:06:31 AI in healthcare and the importance of human connection 00:07:46 Building culture through heart, strategy, and execution 00:09:55 What makes someone a great teammate 00:10:53 Calling out silos and protecting the culture 00:12:51 How patient stories bring culture to life 00:16:08 The damage caused by micromanagement 00:17:06 How leaders build trust with new team members 00:24:42 Owning your mindset as a leader 00:32:20 Why vulnerability does not always come naturally 00:35:00 Why a leader’s real job is developing the team 00:37:16 Development is a two-way street 00:38:28 Advice Jeff would give his younger self 00:39:54 Building meaningful networks and mentorships 00:40:50 Why the future of leadership is still human first  
The Athletics Of Business
https://www.themolitorgroup.com/podcast-theathleticsofbusiness/
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