Caroline Wilson | making work meaningful stories.
Caroline Wilson, business transformation lead, Global Accounts
My name is Caroline, and I have recently joined the Global Transformation Office (GTO) as the business transformation lead for Global Accounts. The newly built team is focusing on the delivery of change and strategic projects that underpin Randstad Sourceright's competitive goals, and support our teams and clients.
I have been working with Randstad since May 2010, and joined the Randstad Sourceright team in March 2014. I am based in Leiden, the Netherlands, near our global headquarters in Diemen. I have worked most of my career internationally and absolutely love to work with people across different countries and cultures. Working at Randstad Sourceright, I have found a place where I can bring this experience into my day-to-day work, and I find it energizing.
growing globally — and feeling supported
Previously, I held an international role on Randstad’s Global Client Solutions team. Randstad Sourceright was on the same floor, and I knew a few people there who loved it. I could see how dynamic and fast-moving the company was, following the market trends on innovation. I applied for a role without hesitation. When I started in a regional role, we were just a small team. It has been amazing to see how we have grown globally as an organization over the past few years!
Randstad Sourceright’s culture and policies have been instrumental in my ability to have a healthy work-life balance. I have two young boys (ages 5 and 2), so after dropping them off at school or daycare, I start my day with a coffee and plan what I need to achieve for the day and week. I have quite a lot of virtual meetings over different time zones. The time between these meetings enables me to focus on tasks and to give my brain some space to think. I try my best to log off on time and make space to walk, go out or step away from the screen.
Balancing two young children, work and life changes during the pandemic has been challenging, but Randstad Sourceright has supported and guided its employees throughout it all. I feel supported, cared for and, with the push on well-being, it has helped a lot. We work our best when we are feeling good within ourselves. It’s important to listen to your body and your mind and look after yourself. Take the time to focus on your hobbies.
finding — and exploring — your path
Outside of work, I love to travel the world and explore. My children love it too and, as a parent, I am a strong believer that adventures are the best way to learn.
My most memorable destination was a volunteer trip to Costa Rica when I was 18, where I worked in an orphanage. It had a profound impact on me to the point where I returned to live and work in Costa Rica several years later. To stay mentally and physically fit, I also do ashtanga yoga and bootcamp.
I have accepted that it is okay to sometimes not feel okay but everyone needs to find their own path on how to cope. For me, that means healthy nutrition, getting plenty of rest, exercising and regularly talking to friends and family. We all owe it to ourselves to stay mentally healthy and luckily there are many resources out there to help us. Whether at home or in the office, if the work cannot wait or it feels overwhelming, ask for help. Help is there with open arms.