Putting Patients First Starts with Empowering Our People

At AbbVie, our purpose is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions
that address serious health issues and improve people’s lives. Every decision we make
is guided by a commitment to patients their needs, their experiences, and the outcomes
that matter most to them.

While patient centricity is often viewed through the lens of scientific innovation and
healthcare delivery, its influence extends much further. It shapes how we think about
leadership, culture, talent, and employee development. Simply put, our ability to create
meaningful impact for patients depends on our ability to create an environment where
our people can do their best work.

The connection between patient-centricity and people practices is stronger than it may
initially appear. The qualities that enable us to understand and serve patients empathy,
curiosity, collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning are the same qualities
that help individuals and teams thrive within our organization.

For us, putting patients first starts with putting people first

One of the most important lessons healthcare teaches us is the value of listening.
Understanding patient experiences helps us develop solutions that address real needs
rather than assumed ones. We apply the same principle internally by actively listening
to our employees.

Through regular engagement surveys, feedback channels, manager conversations, and
leadership interactions, we seek to understand what our people need to succeed,
where they see opportunities for growth, and how we can continuously improve the
employee experience. Listening is not simply a process; it is a leadership responsibility.
More importantly, it must be accompanied by action. Employees are most engaged
when they know their voices influence decisions and drive meaningful change.

Another principle that connects our patient-first mindset to our people philosophy is
empathy. Patients navigate complex healthcare journeys that require compassion,
understanding, and support. Similarly, employees perform at their best when they feel
respected, valued, and understood.

Creating such an environment requires more than good intentions. It requires a culture
where people feel comfortable expressing themselves, sharing ideas, and bringing their
authentic perspectives to work. This is where psychological safety becomes essential.

At AbbVie, we believe psychological safety is a critical enabler of innovation and high
performance. In an industry driven by science, discovery, and continuous
advancement, no single individual has all the answers. Progress depends on people
being willing to ask questions, challenge assumptions, admit mistakes, and propose
new ideas.

When employees feel safe to speak up without fear of judgment or negative
consequences, organizations unlock greater creativity, stronger collaboration, and
more effective problem-solving. Psychological safety allows teams to learn faster, adapt
more effectively, and make better decisions ultimately benefiting the patients we serve.

Closely linked to psychological safety is another principle that we actively encourage:
healthy conflict.

In many workplaces, conflict is viewed as something to be avoided. We take a different
perspective. Respectful disagreement and constructive debate are often essential
ingredients for innovation. The complex challenges facing healthcare today require
diverse expertise and fresh thinking. If everyone approaches a problem in exactly the
same way, opportunities for breakthrough solutions may be missed.

Healthy conflict is not about winning arguments; it is about creating an environment
where ideas can be rigorously tested and improved. It involves challenging perspectives
while respecting individuals. When teams are encouraged to engage in open and
constructive dialogue, they are more likely to identify risks, uncover opportunities, and
arrive at stronger decisions.

This is particularly important in a global organization like AbbVie, where diverse
experiences and viewpoints contribute to our ability to solve complex problems.
Diversity of thought is not simply a cultural aspiration, it is a business imperative.

The patients we serve come from different backgrounds, communities, and life
experiences. To truly understand their needs, we benefit from teams that bring a broad
range of perspectives to the table. Diverse thinking helps challenge assumptions,
reduce blind spots, and generate more innovative solutions.

However, diversity alone is not enough. Inclusion is what enables diversity to create
value. We strive to foster a culture where every individual feels a sense of belonging and
where different viewpoints are actively sought, respected, and incorporated into
decision-making. When people know their perspectives matter, they are more likely to
contribute ideas that drive innovation and positive change.

A patient-centric culture also reinforces the importance of continuous learning.
Healthcare is evolving rapidly, driven by scientific advances, technological innovation,
and changing patient expectations. To remain at the forefront of this transformation,
organizations must continuously invest in developing talent.

At AbbVie, we are committed to creating opportunities for employees to learn, grow, and
expand their capabilities throughout their careers. Whether through leadership
development, mentoring, coaching, cross-functional experiences, or formal learning
programs, we encourage a growth mindset and a commitment to lifelong learning. As
the nature of work continues to evolve, we are also empowering our employees to embrace emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to enhance
productivity, simplify day-to-day work, and enable more effective decision-making.
Through regular awareness sessions led by our HR and leadership teams, employees
are encouraged to understand the evolving role of AI in the workplace and how it can
support them in working smarter and staying future-ready. Complementing these
efforts are a range of digital learning platforms and upskilling opportunities that help our
people build AI and technology capabilities, equipping them with the skills needed to
thrive in a rapidly changing workplace.

We also recognize that development is most meaningful when employees understand
the broader purpose behind their work. One of the unique aspects of working at AbbVie
is the opportunity to see the connection between individual contributions and patient
outcomes. That connection creates a powerful sense of purpose and motivates our
people to pursue excellence every day.

Ultimately, our commitment to patients and our commitment to employees are
inseparable. Patients inspire our purpose, and our people bring that purpose to life. By
fostering a culture grounded in empathy, psychological safety, healthy conflict,
inclusion, and continuous learning, we create an environment where innovation thrives
and where individuals can reach their full potential.

The future of healthcare will continue to present new challenges and opportunities.
Meeting them will require not only scientific excellence but also exceptional talent and
strong organizational cultures. By investing in our people with the same care and
intention that we bring to serving patients, we strengthen our ability to deliver
meaningful impact.

Because when people feel empowered to contribute, collaborate, and grow,
extraordinary outcomes become possible for our employees, for our organization, and
most importantly, for the patients who count on us.