Servant leadership as a key for the successful implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility in the pharmaceutical industry

This chapter describes the leadership process of the founder (Wim Leereveld) of the Access to Medicine Foundation, developing the Access to Medicine Index (ATMI) and its impact in the pharmaceutical industry. It portrays leadership traits of Leereveld that will influence and inspire other people in a complex stakeholder field. Finally, it states that two actions "giving responsibility/a role" and "stakeholder dialogue" contributed to CSR development and implementation. These actions are facilitated by an "environment of mutual trust & respect" and "leaderfollower relationship of commitment and loyalty," mostly supported by Servant- Leadership characteristics of "empowerment" and "standing back." The sum of the above Servant-Leadership actions and characteristics has led to Corporate Social Responsibility in the pharmaceutical industry impacting both the individual and organizational level in the pharmaceutical industry and beyond.