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Global Leadership Capabilities

Leadership capabilities

Leadership qualities are within everyone. Bringing them out is central to our success.

We understand that every individual has different ambitions. Not everyone is a “born leader.” But we do believe that everyone has that potential, based on certain qualities. Those are the qualities we look for in prospective employees – and that move us forward as a company. We call them the AstraZeneca Leadership Capabilities:

Passion for Customers
Thinks Strategically
Acts Decisively
Drives Performance
Works Collaboratively
Develops People and Organizations

Candidates’ Leadership Capabilities are evaluated based upon their seniority level, as well as the type of position for which they are applying. Interns, for instance, would be entering the organization at Level 1; a Director of Clinical Research, Level 5. For a more detailed account of how each Leadership Capability is evaluated for the various levels, please see this diagram below.

To help you build on your strengths and focus on areas for improvement, our global leadership development programs offer world-class guidance and coaching. Of course, developing our leaders isn't simply about attending courses and seminars. We also focus on self-analysis, reflection, feedback and understanding the impact of what you do. The experience has proven to be both personally and professionally rewarding.

As an employer, our charge is to make the most of the leadership capabilities within you. Those capabilities will serve you well, whether your goal is to head up a large team or work independently in the field. But whichever path you choose, know this: you’ll be among those who make AstraZeneca continue to be a company of leaders. Strong. Responsible. Inspiring. Successful.

Leadership Capabilities

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4	Level 5
Passion for Customers	Addresses Customer Needs: Seeks to understand customer needs and requirements, tailoring products/services accordingly.	Engages Customers in Solutions Development: Seeks to understand underlying issues/needs. Proactively engages customer in development or identification of solutions, products, or services.	Manages Multiple Customer Needs, representing them in AstraZeneca's decision making and planning.	Applies Long-Term Customer Insight: Engages customers over time and is focused on future needs and challenges.	Changes AstraZeneca's Approach to Customers: Fundamentally reshapes the way in which AstraZeneca develops and maintains relationships with customers.
Thinks Strategically	Identifies Critical Issues using basic knowledge of AZ's business, and takes action on key issues relating to their role.	Applies a Broad Perspective: Thinks more broadly than their role (e.g. externally) and uses this insight to challenge and adapt current approaches/ ways of doing things.	Uses Deep Insight to Impact Broadly: Still thinking broadly, but also identifies opportunities and develops solutions that impact beyond their role/function.	Anticipates the Future: Has a future oriented, long-term view due to the depth and breadth of insight. Develops plans that have impact across AZ and are based on what is likely to happen.	Shapes the Future: Thinks innovatively about the industry and not just AZ. Develops plans and strategies to change the future of AZ and impact the industry.
Acts Decisively	Makes Effective Decisions within their role without unnecessarily seeking permission.	Makes Effective Decisions Under Pressure and can do so in the absence of complete information.	Creates Clarity for Others to Make Decisions: Creates the climate for others to act decisively by clarifying roles and responsibilities and limits of decision-making.	Demonstrates Courage to Support Decisions, addressing the underlying issues that prevent effective decision-making.	Establishes AZ Decision-Making Systems and Norms of Behavior to ensure an organization-wide culture of effective decision-making.
Drives Performance	Holds Self Accountable and to high standards. Obtains feedback to ensure the standards are met.	Holds Others Accountable for high standards and clarifies what needs to be accomplished, why, and the consequences for the individual and/or the organization.	Anticipates and/or Removes Obstacles for Others so that teams/work groups can deliver results and succeed.	Generates Step Change in Performance of Large Groups: Challenges and inspires large groups of people to deliver step change in performance.	Inspires Commitment Beyond AZ for Exceptional Results: Engages others across boundaries to generate exceptional results. The scope of their efforts is considerably larger as it goes beyond AZ.
Works Collaboratively	Seeks Input from others to explore an idea rather than just seeking their buy-in.	Respects and Integrates Diverse Views: Seeks input and demonstrates an appreciation for diverse views by incorporating them into decisions/proposals.	Creates Shared Purpose Across Boundaries to establish common purpose and goals to deliver value to the business.	Addresses Blockers to Effective Collaboration: Identifies and courageously addresses issues that may inhibit effective collaboration.	Creates New Opportunities for AZ Collaboration to drive business results.
Develops People and Organization	Understands and Acts on Own Development Needs, strengths and weaknesses, and seeks and acts on feedback.	Provides Behavioral Feedback: Has an objective view of others' capabilities and provides coaching and feedback in the moment, while continuing to develop him/herself.	Develops Others for the Long-Term by agreeing challenging and relevant development opportunities to prepare them for future ones.	Builds Organizational Capability: Proactively facilitates cross-functional assignments/ opportunities in and outside of their own area to develop broad capability for AZ.	Anticipates and Addresses Future Capability Needs for AZ: Plans for the future of AZ by addressing the gap between the current organizational capabilities and AZ's likely future requirements.

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