Michael Pietrack, Managing Director at Kaye/Bassman, Authored “Leadership Lab: 5 Ways Biopharma Execs Can Restore Trust, Retain Talent After Layoffs,” Featured in BioSpace
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Michael Pietrack, Managing Director at Kaye/Bassman, Authored “Leadership Lab: 5 Ways Biopharma Execs Can Restore Trust, Retain Talent After Layoffs,” Featured in BioSpace
Plano, TX | 7/21/2025
Michael Pietrack is a Managing Director at Kaye/Bassman International, an executive search and recruitment firm. Michael is a practice lead for Kaye/Bassman’s pharma and biotech recruiting team and host of “The Pharmaverse Podcast.” The following is an article published in BioSpace:
In this column, we’ll discuss five ways leaders can help their team after a layoff. Those who follow these five imperatives are restoring trust with employees, which helps their companies retain talent.
The biopharmaceutical industry is undergoing a period of painful contraction. Clinical setbacks, shifting pipelines, economic headwinds and capital constraints have forced even the most promising companies to make difficult personnel decisions. While these decisions are often strategically sound, the impact on people is significant and long lasting.
For those who remain in leadership roles, the real challenge begins after the layoffs. Teams are now leaner, and team psychology is often fragile. What your employees need at this moment is not just a manager of tasks, but a true leader.
This is not leadership under normal conditions. This is leadership under pressure. And in these moments, five imperatives emerge for biopharma leaders committed to restoring trust and retaining talent.
Acknowledge the Emotions
Layoffs don’t just change headcounts, they change people. Those who remain often wrestle with survivor’s guilt, a blend of gratitude, anxiety and moral discomfort. If left unspoken, these emotions can quietly erode trust, motivation and, ultimately, retention.
Strong leaders name the moment for what it is. They acknowledge the complexity. They create space for conversation. Some do it in town halls, others in team meetings, while others prefer one-on-ones or informal check-ins. These aren’t just touchy-feely exercises. They’re trust-building interventions.
