Danyšová: We Don’t Have to Wait for the Perfect Moment On Being a CEO and a Mum
42 ǀ POSITIV WOMAN
We Don’t Have to Wait for the Perfect Moment
On Being a CEO and a Mum
She has combined the world of numbers with a passion for medicine – and today leads one of the
largest laboratory networks in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Kateřina Bílly Danyšová runs
SYNLAB CZ&SK with the convicon that healthcare must have purpose, remain close to people,
and be rooted in prevenon. She talks about her journey through self-doubt, about leadership
and motherhood, about supporng women who want to take responsibility – and about why
“there is a paent behind every decision.”
You lead one of the largest laboratory companies
in the country. What led you to this role and which
moments or decisions proved most pivotal
on your journey?
A combination of two things led me to this position
– my lifelong passion for healthcare and a grounding
in economics and management. From the start, I knew
I wanted to do work that had meaning and offered
a real impact on people’s lives. That mindset allowed
me to grow step by step, gain experience, and progress
to leading large teams and projects.
Another pivotal moment came in 2018, when I accepted
the offer to take responsibility for SYNLAB in the
Czech Republic and Slovakia. Those were challenging
times, but they pushed me the furthest. At the same
time, I recognise it wasn’t just about my own decisions;
the people around me played a huge role – those who
placed their trust in me and offered their support.
You’re not a doctor, yet you have a strong passion
for healthcare. What is it like to have your heart
in medicine while having studied economics? If you
were choosing your path again, would you make
the same decision?
I’m not a doctor; I studied economics, but my heart
is firmly in medicine. It’s precisely the connection
of both worlds that makes sense to me. Economics gives
me perspective, analytical thinking and the ability to run
a company, while my passion for healthcare reminds
me that there is a patient behind every decision. I’m
surrounded by medicine every day—thanks to colleagues
and specialists who are among the best in their fields.
What I enjoy most is creating an environment where
doctors can fully apply their expertise, so that patients
receive the best possible care.
You’ve been at the helm of SYNLAB for several years
now. What motivates you most in a role where you
can help transform healthcare towards greater
accessibility, digitalisation and prevention? What
kind of leader are you?
My greatest motivation is knowing that our work truly
matters. Every day we help people on their journey
towards the longest possible life in good health. We are
strong advocates of prevention. We partner with doctors
in arriving at the right diagnosis, and with patients when
they don’t feel well.
I’m the sort of leader who needs to keep moving things
forward. I believe in openness, collaboration and trust.
I strive to create a company culture that enables every
colleague to use their potential to the fullest – and together
that’s how we move SYNLAB forward.
být schopen převzít odpovědnost, za sebe, za tým, za
celou firmu. Bez toho se růst neobejde.
Byla jste někdy v bodě, kdy už toho bylo moc?
Přiblížila jste se někdy vyhoření – nebo jste si řekla,
že takhle už to dál nejde?
Odnesla jste si nějaké ponaučení?
Vzhledem k tomu, že se na pozicích CEO pohybu-
ji od svých 32 let, bylo toho moc už mnohokrát.
A zejména v době, kdy jsem měla malé dítě. Vyloženě
vyhoření jsem naštěstí nikdy neřešila, ale zdravotně
na mne náročné období kdysi dolehlo. Díky tomu jsem
se ale naučila respektovat svoje tělo a nastavila si hra-
nice, přes které není dobré jít. Nebo alespoň ne příliš
často.
Děkuji za rozhovor.
What I enjoy most is creang
an environment where doctors can
fully apply their experse.