Join us in
celebrating women's day
What better way to celebrate International Women's Day than to reflect on the women who inspire us every day?
Meet Caroline Lind, CEO at Sandqvist since 2015.
Define a great leader—what are some traits you think great leaders possess?
I believe that a great leader has the ability to inspire, as well as showing empathy and courage. Courage to try new things and rely on the team, all while making wise decisions and prioritizing what’s most important.
What do you do to find balance and energy?
I love to work hard - which is both a strength and a weakness, however I always make sure to take time off to recharge.
A great way to make sure your batteries are filled is exercising, which is a big part of my life - preferably outdoors activities such as skiing or cycling. I am good at prioritizing and know that a person can’t do everything at the same time.
I believe in a sustainable work life where we strive for a healthy balance and focus on what we do instead of how much we work. A smart job is not a sprint, it's a marathon – good things take time.
How do you contribute to your team, what do you believe your team appreciates the most about you?
This is a difficult question for me to answer – I believe my team knows best. Hopefully they appreciate my commitment to them and that my “drive forward” can be a source of inspiration. I challenge my co-workers to reflect and prioritize tasks wisely. I try to get the team together and lead them towards the same goal while always making sure that I’m available for guidance when needed.
How do you create the best team?
I think the best way to create a great team is by letting employees grow with responsibility, to understand that different strengths, skills and experience leads to success. Teamwork is all about lifting each other. I also believe in setting clear goals, frequent follow-ups and to celebrate achievements.
Who inspires you and why?
A lot of people inspire me, but especially people that chooses their own path. However, if I was to highlight some “power people”, it would be my mentors, Lena Olving and Ann Carlsson. They are two driven, intelligent and extremely generous women.
What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
- Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you
- Aim to become the best in what you do, or try another path
- Have fun, life is too short to do things you don’t enjoy
- Challenge yourself – nothing ventured, nothing gained