A Quiet Leader
As founder and CEO of nine biotechnology companies—Ankit is living proof that the strategies he offers to his fellow quiet personalities work.
His companies have developed multiple medicines for serious diseases, raised over $1 billion through IPOs and other financings, and built high-performing teams.
He has won multiple awards for creating a winning culture, including Glassdoor’s “Top 50 CEOs of 2021” (#15 nationwide). Ankit has spoken widely on leadership, including at Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Berkeley Forum.
A Quiet Leader
As founder and CEO of nine biotechnology companies—Ankit is living proof that the strategies he offers to his fellow quiet personalities work.
His companies have developed multiple medicines for serious diseases, raised over $1 billion through IPOs and other financings, and built high-performing teams.
He has won multiple awards for creating a winning culture, including Glassdoor’s “Top 50 CEOs of 2021” (#15 nationwide). Ankit has spoken widely on leadership, including at Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Berkeley Forum.
A charismatic, loud, “over the top” style is not the only way to lead.
ANKIT’S STORY
Why I Wrote This Book
Earlier in my career, I found myself ashamed of my quiet nature. I forced myself to “get out there” like my extraverted colleagues. I even joined an improv comedy troupe to get more comfortable interacting with others.
Still, as an aspiring young associate at a venture capital firm, I felt drained pretending to be the louder person I thought I needed to be. In Board meetings, I found myself waiting for the perfect thing to say. Of course, the moment would pass, and I missed out on crucial discussions.
At best, I looked mute. At worst, I looked lost.
I’ve been where you are, frustrated and drained every night as I tried and failed to copy the extraverted ideal of a leader.
A Wake-Up Call
It came one day, when I was leading a group of experienced scientists developing a new medicine based on untested science. When some typical, addressable challenges came up, the team broke apart rather than rise to the occasion.
I got some blunt feedback from the team on the way out: they didn’t trust me because I was trying too hard to be someone I wasn’t. I knew I needed a new way to engender the vision, passion, and trust needed to keep my team together through adversity.
Becoming a Quiet Leader
Over time, I have learned how to lead, building nine companies that make medicines for sick patients. It’s been a journey of tremendous growth for me.
I wrote this book to share strategies that have worked for me and other quiet leaders. My aim is to create the ultimate handbook for quiet leaders driven to succeed in an extravert’s world.