Reading Time: 2 minutes
Something pretty magical happened to me yesterday.
It actually started a couple of weeks ago, when I got a Teams ping from one of my leaders: “Are you free? I have something fun to talk to you about.”
Context: I was in the midst of transferring to a new team at Slalom, and of onboarding to a key leadership role at a large account and very important client. To say everything around me was in the storming phase of team development doesn’t even start to do it justice. None of it I was categorizing exactly as “fun” yet, so I was intrigued at his choice of words. After all, fun is one of my core values.
Apparently, the client had requested I be one of a few Slalomers to participate in a pretty important meeting that was coming up with some pretty high ups from a pretty big partner. I was immediately in, naturally. Curious to learn more, I had asked why they picked me: “Because they like your ideas, your approach and your vision.” Good.
See I never want to get picked for anything because I am a 40-something-year-old woman and because in 2021, we can almost all finally agree we need more of “us” “at the table”. I want to get picked because I am the best person for the job. Period. Yes, my diverse opinion, depth of customer strategy expertise and 25 years of professional experience is female. I also bring the perspective of an immigrant who has successfully built an eclectic career because she is an adventurer and a dreamer and an Ironman and a taco lover – and all of the things I am.

We collectively prepped for the meeting. I got to collaborate with another part of our organization I hadn’t had the opportunity to explore before and met a kindred spirit from our impressive Alliances team. I got introduced to a Slalom exec I never met before. Most importantly, I got to ask my client futuristic questions that really helped me understand him more deeply and intimately.
It was 8 of us. Mostly Presidents and Chiefs and Heads-Of. And me. I didn’t have a speaking part but I belonged there. I was having fun. And as the meeting went on and the momentum of the enthusiasm we were building for our collective collaboration grew, I didn’t feel like I needed to say anything. Shocker, I know.
Until 5 minutes before the end. The US leader of this global conglomerate, a brand the entire world knows, the attendee we had designed this entire meeting around called on me. She asked: “Caroline, you have been quiet. What’s your point-of-view?”
This powerful woman had extended her hand to me, to lift me up and give me the floor to exercise my voice. I am convinced she intended it exactly as that.
And I recognized it immediately, right in the moment. After almost 10 years of practice as a visionary in the automotive business, and five years of honing in on my storytelling craft, I was ready. Poised, I answered.
In a meeting where I wasn’t even supposed to speak, I ended up being the closer. Because she was committed to hearing everyone’s voice. Mine included.
Magic.

Love this! Your perspective and insight was perfect in the moment. So proud every day for the amazing team we get to work with. You are a key part to why together 1+1 is truly greater than 2. Thank you!
Right back at you kindred spirit 👏🏼💙🙏🏼
I just love everything about this Caroline!
Ronnie 💙🙏🏼 from the best team @ Slalom!
Thank you for my Saturday morning inspirational read. A good reminder to use my voice to both extend platforms for others….and fearlessly jump when I see them. 💙
All the love Tierney! The circle of inspiration continues. 🙏🏼💙😇
I love this! No one better suited than you!
Oh my fave PAD. Thank you! 🙏🏼