During the month of March, in celebration of Women’s History Month, we’ll be putting a spotlight on some of the talented women who lead TalentWorld and GardaWorld every day.
Our intention with this series is to give their voice a platform; an opportunity to be radically honest about their career journey, the successes and the struggles. For so many important reasons, but really only one – so they can be heard.
Meet Caroline...
Caroline Bourdon is the Vice President of Business Development at GardaWorld, our parent company. Although she now works in the security industry, she has over 20 years of experience in the staffing industry in sales and human resources and because of this experience she is also leading the TalentWorld retail sales team.
Caroline believes that leadership is not just a word or title but a call to action. Being a leader creates a trusting environment that allows you to inspire, influence, and motivate your team to reach their full potential and give them the right tools to succeed. When you become a leader – success is about growing others just as much as it is about yourself.
Caroline says she uses Dolly Parton's quote as her leadership motto: “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, then you are an excellent leader.”
How it started…
How did your career in staffing begin?
My career in staffing began because of a career change that I made. In 2005, I wanted to completely change my job so that it aligned more with what I valued most – creating meaningful relationships. So, I pivoted and entered the staffing industry in a sales and business development role.
When I first started, I was, of course, inexperienced. I had to relearn a new field completely, find my place, and create new career goals. I love that quote that says, "We must step outside of our comfort zones in order to grow.” Ultimately, this career change allowed me to grow as a leader.
What was your biggest struggle early in your career?
My biggest struggle has always been being patient. I am very results-oriented and so I am always aggressive on wanting to achieve my goals as fast as I can.
However, along my journey as a leader, I have learned that patience is a valuable skill that can help you succeed in your career. Being patient has helped me collaborate more effectively with coworkers, helped me set strategic goals, and helped me overcome career obstacles.
How it’s going…
What do you think shaped you into the leader you are today?
I am not the first one to say that our experiences shape who we are – it impacts everything from how we see the world, how we interact with others, and how we make decisions.
Early on in my career, I had the good fortune of working for some incredible people. They led by example and became my role models that showed me that leadership often meant having courage, being humble, and willing to be vulnerable.
What led you to GardaWorld?
I came to GardaWorld at a time when I wanted a change. I felt like I had achieved the objectives I had set for myself in my previous role and was ready to take on a new challenge, which included pivoting industries once again. What really attracted me to this company was that the staffing aspect is still present through TalentWorld.
I feel very fortunate to be a part of such an amazing organization with a strong entrepreneurial culture. At GardaWorld, you really do feel like anything is possible! I feel like I can be the leader I want to be and lead my team to success.
Where do we want it to go…
Do you believe women encounter more obstacles because of their gender in their careers?
Unfortunately, even though there have been great advancements in society that have combatted gender bias, I know that there is still a lot of work to be done. Gender is still a significant barrier that can hinder a woman’s career advancement.
As a woman, I know that we are stronger together. We can truly change this narrative by uplifting each other and channelling the power of collaboration. We all have a duty to uplift one another and grow together, especially if we are in a leadership position.
Do you have any advice you want to share?
If you are an aspiring female leader, I have many things to share, but I will leave it to these four tips that have helped me in my career:
- As a leader, understanding your weaknesses and blind spots can be just as important as utilizing your strengths.
- Be decisive – remember that you have just as much of a right to be in the room and share your thoughts as anyone else.
- Build a community of inspiring individuals and surround yourself with them through all the highs and lows of your career.
- Don’t be afraid of change – view it as an opportunity to grow. I would not be where I am today had I not pivoted my career early on.
