Cara Klaer

I attribute much of my success to perseverance and a willingness to keep learning and growing. I've also been incredibly fortunate to have parents who always believed in me and told me that I could accomplish anything I was willing to work toward. My Mom used to tell me, "If you dream it, you can do it.” Hearing that from a young age gave me the confidence to set big goals and believe they were within reach.

As I've grown in my career, my definition of success has also become very clear. I measure it by whether I'm adding value to others. If I can make a positive difference for someone else, whether that's helping a leader find their confidence, helping a team navigate a difficult moment or simply helping someone see what's possible for themselves, that's when I feel most fulfilled.

The best career advice I’ve received is to remain curious and be open to opportunities, even when they aren’t part of the plan. Some of the most meaningful experiences in my career came from being willing to try something new, step outside my comfort zone, and keep learning along the way. Your career doesn’t always follow a straight line, and sometimes the opportunities you least expect are the ones that shape you the most.

My advice is to trust your instincts and know that your voice matters. Don’t be afraid to speak up and share your perspective in the meeting. Raise your hand for the new project. Express interest in the opportunity, even if you don’t feel completely ready.

Early in my corporate career, I focused too much on fitting in rather than recognizing the value I brought. At the time, I thought it was best to blend in and adapt to every environment. What I eventually realized was that constantly trying to fit in was keeping me from fully showing up. I wasn't trusting my own voice or recognizing that what made me different could actually be one of my greatest strengths.

Trust your expertise. Know your worth. Use your voice. And surround yourself with people and organizations that value what you bring.

I think one of the biggest challenges in communications right now—and this is equally true for leaders—is that we have more ways to communicate than ever, but that doesn't necessarily mean we're connecting. AI can help us create messages faster, and leaders have more channels than ever to reach employees and stakeholders. But none of that replaces human connection.

I've advised more than 40 C-suite executives and led communications for global organizations with workforces of up to 200,000 people globally. One thing I've seen repeatedly is how much weight a leader's words carry. An offhand comment can become a directive by the time it moves through an organization. And during periods of change or uncertainty, silence communicates, too. When leaders don't provide context, people create their own. At the same time, even a well-planned presentation can fall short if the message isn't clear, actionable or meaningful.

That's both the challenge and the opportunity: being more intentional about how we communicate and focusing not just on what we say, but on whether it truly connects with our audience.

Technology can help us communicate more efficiently. But trust is still built human to human.

Integrity is at the top of the list for me. I believe there should be alignment between what you say, what you believe, and how you show up.

Trust and empathy are also incredibly important to me. Trust takes time, consistency and follow-through, whether that’s in communication, leadership or relationships. I genuinely care about people and always strive to approach others with empathy and an understanding of where they’re coming from.

Personally, my family and faith are at the center of my life. They keep me grounded and shape my perspective, my priorities, and the kind of example I want to set.

And finally, growth. I don’t think we ever really “arrive.” There’s always something new to learn about our work, other people and ourselves. I try to make personal growth a daily habit and intentionally create space to keep learning.