Leadership Journeys [198] - Carolina Salazar - "Before you address your team problems, take a walk around the corner"

Choosing Leadership with Sumit Gupta

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this episode, I sit down with Carolina Salazar, founder and CEO of Design Thinking Sweden, to explore her journey at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and technology.

Carolina shares powerful insights on leading global teams across continents, building a people-centered culture, and overcoming the unique challenges of entrepreneurship.

Whether you're striving to empower your team, innovate with purpose, or balance curiosity with leadership, Carolina’s experience offers practical strategies and fresh perspectives.

We also dive into her vision of integrating advanced technologies, including the metaverse, to shape the future of customer experiences.

Tune in for a conversation that will inspire you to rethink how you lead and embrace innovation to drive meaningful impact.

You can find Carolina Salazar at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/carosalazar/
• https://dtswe.org/

In the interview, Carolina shares

• "Curiosity and innovation have driven every step of my journey, from design thinking to immersive technologies."
• "Building a strong team isn’t just about hiring talent; it’s about trusting their expertise and empowering them to lead."
• "Leading across continents challenged me, but focusing on people-centered solutions ensured our success."
• "Entrepreneurship is a road less traveled, filled with both obstacles and rewards that shape who we become as leaders."
• "At the heart of our mission is blending technology with humanity to solve grand challenges."
• "The key to leadership lies in balancing curiosity with a relentless commitment to learning and growth."
• "Our future vision embraces advanced technologies, including the launch of a metaverse for enriching customer experiences."
• "The ability to see different perspectives—whether through books or cultures—offers invaluable insights in leadership."
• "Design thinking isn’t just a method; it’s a mindset that helps solve the most complex, human-centered problems."
• "Stay connected, stay curious—leadership is about continuous engagement with both people and innovation."