Sarah Wills Carlsson’s career is a testament to the power of leadership, innovation, and personal growth. With a global footprint spanning the USA, Sweden, and Germany, she has seamlessly navigated industries, cultures, and leadership roles, leaving a lasting impact at every step. From spending over two decades at General Motors and Delphi Automotive to launching her own ventures—Nspir and Nspir Learning LLC—Sarah’s journey is defined by a relentless pursuit of purpose, whether in business, leadership, or storytelling.
Her ability to blend strategic leadership with a passion for personal development has shaped her approach to fostering high-performing teams. Whether coaching professionals on intercultural communication or empowering children through her books, she believes that true success lies in aligning one’s personal strengths with meaningful work. In the past year, as Acting Director of Customer Success at Kognic, as well as other consulting and training engagements, she has continued to bridge the gap between professional excellence and human connection, ensuring that leadership is not just about results but about creating lasting, positive change.
Career Milestones and Growth
Sarah’s career spans multiple industries and continents, shaping her into a leader driven by innovation and personal development. She spent 22 years at General Motors and Delphi Automotive across the USA, Sweden, and Germany, gaining extensive experience in global operations and leadership. In 2015, she founded Nspir with the mission of helping individuals discover their unique potential and bring their best selves to work and life. Her consultancy work at China Euro Vehicle Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, led her to develop training programs focused on intercultural and interpersonal communication, high-performing teams, leadership, and personal growth.
In 2022, she expanded her vision by founding Nspir Learning LLC, launching children’s books that foster curiosity, courage, and compassion while promoting intercultural understanding. Publishing two books per year, followed by translations into Swedish, Spanish, Arabic, and Persian, she aims to help both adults and children embrace differences and create positive synergy. In 2024, she joined Kognic as Acting Director of Customer Success to cover a parental leave, as well as continuing balancing her passion for leadership, training, and publishing through her work with Nspir.
Key Responsibilities in Leadership
In her current role, Sarah focuses on leading and developing people, believing that aligning individual passions with company strategy drives both motivation and results. She ensures that team members find purpose in their work while contributing meaningfully to organizational goals.
Her leadership approach involves understanding personal strengths, fostering growth, and guiding her teams to achieve both professional and personal fulfillment. “By building a culture where employees feel empowered and valued, I enhance both productivity and workplace satisfaction.”
Defining Leadership and Guiding Principles
Sarah defines effective leadership as the ability to align personal interests with the company’s purpose and strategy. “I prioritize removing obstacles, helping individuals recognize and reach their potential, and mitigating conflicts before they escalate.”
Her leadership is built on trust, transparency, and empowerment. By focusing on open communication and fostering a growth mindset, she ensures that her teams are motivated and engaged in their work.
Encouraging Innovation and Growth
For Sarah, fostering innovation begins with psychological safety. She believes that employees must feel secure in voicing ideas and taking risks without fear of failure. “I encourage experimentation, ensuring my team understands that setbacks are part of the learning process, as long as ethical standards and company values are upheld.” By providing a supportive environment, she enables creative thinking and breakthrough solutions, driving sustainable growth within the organization.
Work-Life Balance Approach
Sarah has long relied on principles from Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to maintain balance between her professional and personal life. Keeping her key roles and long-term goals in focus helps her make daily and weekly decisions that align with her priorities.
“I find innovative ways to integrate family and career, such as bringing my young daughter on business trips to expose her to different cultures. By delegating tasks that hold less personal significance, such as hiring babysitters for routine activities, I ensure that her time is spent where it matters most.”
Staying Ahead in Business
Sarah attributes her success in a dynamic business environment to strong relationships and a sharp focus on where she adds the most value. She recognizes that not every problem requires her direct involvement and believes in leveraging the expertise of others when needed. By concentrating on high-impact areas where her skills and experience contribute the most, she ensures sustainable business growth and efficiency.
Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders
Sarah’s key advice to women leaders is to let go of perfection. She has observed that many women place undue pressure on themselves to excel in every aspect, which can hinder growth. “Perfectionism kept me from stepping into leadership and mastering new languages for years. By embracing imperfection and being open to learning through mistakes, I became more effective and less stressed.”
She encourages women to push beyond their comfort zones, accept that they won’t excel at everything immediately, and focus on continuous growth rather than flawless execution.
Long-Term Vision and Impact
Sarah envisions a future where differences are not only accepted but celebrated as a crucial aspect of progress. Through her leadership training, team development efforts, and children’s books, she actively works toward a world where diverse perspectives are appreciated. She strives for a society where the response to differing viewpoints is, “You think differently than me—great! Now we can create something better together!” rather than misunderstanding and devaluation. By continuing her work in publishing, coaching, and leadership, she hopes to shape a future where diversity is recognized as an asset that drives positive change.