Name: Carolina Salinas Garcia

Title: CEO

Organisation: CleverClick 360

My name is Carolina Salinas García, and I am Mexican. I specialize in digital marketing and the creation of projects with a social impact. I earned a degree in Digital Media from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) and also studied Business at IPADE Business School. This combination of creativity and business strategy has allowed me to develop a holistic approach to project management.

Currently, I am the CEO and co-founder of CleverClick 360, a marketing agency focused on performance and growth marketing campaigns. Through CleverClick 360, I help brands maximize their impact and growth through innovative data-driven strategies.

Additionally, I am a co-founder and director of Impact Click, a foundation that aims to train, certify, and provide employment opportunities to individuals with lower body motor disabilities, helping them access roles in the digital sector. This social work is one of my greatest passions as it allows me to make a positive impact and transform lives.

I am passionate about creating, leading projects that yield tangible results and contributing to a more inclusive and equitable environment. I also have a profound interest in psychology, as I believe that understanding human behavior is key not only to personal development but also to success in business and building high-performance teams.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Carolina's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

What I find most challenging as a leader is that if I am not well physically, mentally, and emotionally, it becomes very difficult to stay in my role and give my best to the team. Self-care is essential, as it not only impacts my overall well-being but also my ability to make clear decisions, maintain the necessary energy, and be present to effectively guide my team.

A second important challenge I face is ensuring that everyone on the team understands and shares the company’s vision. It is crucial that they feel passionate about that vision, as it gives them a sense of belonging and purpose, which is key to maintaining constant motivation and alignment with our common goals.

Finally, another challenge is defining and clearly communicating the KPIs and processes that will allow us to reach our goals in a tangible and measurable way. Having these points clearly established makes decision-making easier and ensures that the entire team is aligned and focused on results, enabling us to move forward efficiently towards success.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

My path to leadership was very organic, starting with my passion for creating, solving problems, and optimizing processes to achieve results. As I took on responsibilities in different companies, I developed leadership skills and gained confidence in my ability to guide teams.

Over time, I decided to start my own business with the goal of providing jobs and offering our employees a better quality of life.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I wake up at 4:30 a.m. to get ready and do exercise. Three days a week, I go to the gym for a workout, followed by 15 minutes in the sauna and 5 minutes of immersion in ice-cold water. On the other two days, I go to the park to run between 5 and 7 km.

At 7:00 a.m., I prepare my breakfast, and after finishing it, I take a shower. I take advantage of this time to chat with my husband while we both get ready to start the day.

I begin my workday at 9:00 a.m. The first hour is dedicated to daily 15-minute meetings with the leaders of each department to review pending tasks and assignments. Then, I check the company results, respond to emails, and attend to pending tasks in my backlog.

At 11:00 a.m., I have a snack, usually an apple. Throughout the day, I attend meetings and help my team resolve any issues or blockers they may have.

At noon, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., I take a break for lunch, and thereafter, I continue planning and improving CleverClick 360.

At 5:00 p.m., I have another snack, and at 6:00 p.m. (or sometimes 7:00 p.m.), I finish my workday.

I have dinner with my husband at 7:30 p.m., then I read a book for 30 minutes and go to bed at 9:00 p.m. sharp.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

A recent lesson I’ve learned as a leader is the importance of being patient with myself and my team during periods of uncertainty or change. I’ve always believed in moving quickly and taking decisive actions, but I’ve realized that sometimes, slowing down and listening to others leads to better results.

This includes allowing my team the space to voice their concerns, share ideas, and collaborate more openly. It’s a reminder that leadership isn’t just about making quick decisions; it’s about creating a supportive environment where everyone feels heard and empowered.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so

far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck. This book had a profound impact on my leadership, especially by providing a deep understanding of how our beliefs about intelligence and abilities can influence our personal and professional success.

As a leader, the concept of mindset has been crucial to improving not only my performance but also my teams.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

I would recommend always taking the time to listen to all the ideas and concerns of his/her team, as they are the ones who will support him/her in achieving his/her goals as a leader.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far? One story that comes to mind is about a team member who has been with us for several years. I first met him when he was selling elotes (corn on the cob) at a street stand, and during our conversation, he told me he was working there to pay for his studies.

Seeing his motivation and potential, I offered him a job with flexible hours so he could continue his education. Today, years later, he is the leader of our data analysis team and has developed platforms that have helped us significantly improve our results as a company. This showed me that a small gesture of support and trust can transform a person’s life and, in turn, benefit the entire organization.