Hill after hill, without knowing what lies beyond: the line keeps going.
Leadership Quality #3
Commitment: Without commitment, no one can become an outstanding leader.
Leadership Quality #12
Passion: Only those who truly love their work can succeed.
3 min read5 sectionsSituationLink to the quality
Contents
On October 2, 2023, it was announced that Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman would receive the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. They were honored for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. The biochemist, born in 1955 in Szolnok, Hungary, had pursued this research for decades against resistance. Her path shows what the Quality of Commitment means.
A golden line passes through five barriers, drops a step, keeps going and finally climbs steeply to a glowing point – like Katalin Karikó’s decades of holding on to her mRNA research.
01
Setting out for an idea
Situation
Karikó studied biology in Szeged and earned her doctorate in biochemistry there in 1982. In 1985 she left Hungary and went to Temple University in Philadelphia. From 1989 she did research at the University of Pennsylvania's medical school.
Link to the quality
Commitment begins with a decision that costs something. Those who give up what is familiar for a goal bind themselves to it. Leaders gain credibility when their dedication becomes visible to others.
02
The demotion of 1995
Situation
Karikó wanted to make mRNA usable as a therapy. Her grant applications failed repeatedly. In 1995 her position as Assistant Professor was not renewed, and the university demoted her. She continued her research in a lower position.
Link to the quality
Real commitment only shows in a setback. As long as everything succeeds, it cannot be told apart from convenience. Leaders should know which goal they would hold on to even without title and recognition.
03
A partner instead of going it alone
Situation
In the late 1990s Karikó met the immunologist Drew Weissman at the university. The two began working on mRNA together. Weissman's funding helped to continue her research during this phase.
Link to the quality
Commitment is not a solo fight. Those who hold on to their goal actively look for allies with complementary strengths. Perseverance means not giving up the cause – not carrying everything alone.
04
Breakthrough without applause
Situation
In 2005 Karikó and Weissman showed that modified building blocks almost completely prevent the inflammatory reaction to mRNA. The journals “Nature” and “Science” initially rejected the paper. It was published in “Immunity”.
Link to the quality
This is where passion for the cause carries the work. Those who work only for applause stop when it fails to come. Leaders need an inner standard for good work that does not depend on quick confirmation.
05
The road to Mainz
Situation
In 2013 Karikó left the University of Pennsylvania and joined BioNTech in Mainz. She became Vice President there and later Senior Vice President. In 2022 she gave up the position. Today she is a professor at the University of Szeged.
Link to the quality
You are committed to the goal, not to an employer or a position. Karikó changed places when another one offered better conditions. Steadfastness about the cause and flexibility about the path are not mutually exclusive.
Key takeaways
Key lessons
01
Clarify which goal you would accept setbacks for.
02
Measure your commitment on bad days, not on good ones.
03
Look for allies who supply what you lack.
04
Do not make your work dependent on quick recognition.
05
Stay true to the goal and flexible about the way there.
Summary
Katalin Karikó held on to mRNA research when funding and career steps failed to materialize. The Nobel Committee explicitly acknowledged that she stayed true to her vision despite these difficulties. Her work with Drew Weissman became the basis of the mRNA vaccines. Commitment here means carrying on when nobody demands it and hardly anyone is watching.
