On leading authentically: Michelin's Caplette set to keynote Women Breaking the Mold

Genevieve Caplette understands the value of challenges and the lessons they teach us—about ourselves, our companies and our places in them.

She knows because she's been there. And as leadership and team development manager with Michelin North America Inc., she helps others see more of their own potential and how they can evolve to have a greater impact, even as they work through challenges that can become defining moments.

As keynote speaker for the Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum, an industry event organized and hosted jointly by Rubber News and Plastics News, Caplette will explore how defining moments can make us stronger and tell us more about who we are.

In her presentation "How to use your defining moments to be a resilient leader," she'll discuss how to use your authentic self to effectively manage and lead within your own organization. In doing so, she'll explore how key moments can shape your world view and offer insights into how—when you embrace who you are—you can gain respect within an organization without adapting to fit a "mold."

Caplette will kick off the two-day program for the Women Breaking the Mold event set for Nov. 13-14 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Registration for the event is open. To learn more about the Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum and its programming, or to register and secure hotel accommodations, visit RubberNews.com/events.

Ten years ago, Caplette's career reached one of those defining moment intersections—a place where the challenges she faced told her a little bit more about who she was, what she could achieve and how she can make a difference.

Mid-career, Caplette shifted gears, taking a position with Michelin in Truck Supply Chain.

"I learned quickly coming into a large organization, mid-career, isn't always an easy transition," Caplette said in a LinkedIn post. "The learning curve was longer than I expected, taking two years to understand just some of the complexities of the supply chain. By the third and fourth year I was growing comfortable. I knew the processes, systems and people. Things were good."

And then in 2018, things changed again. Because another one of those defining moments showed up.

Caplette was offered a role in the organization that was intended to tap her strengths and, ultimately, strengthen Michelin. In her role as progress adviser, she would be tasked with problem-solving and helping teams find solutions.

"Understand, my world at that time (10 years before Michelin and 4 years in Michelin) was very supply chain(-oriented). I was extremely comfortable in the supply chain. The thought of doing something else was not just uncomfortable, but scary," Caplette said.

Scary, because when change shows up, so do all of those doubts. "What if I fail?" she thought. "What if I don't fit?"

Turns out, she had nothing to worry about. Because this place was exactly where she needed to be. It taught her how she was meant to lead.

"Within the first few months in Progress, I realized I had strengths I didn't know I had. … After two years, the fear turned to excitement. Facilitation became second nature," Caplette said.

Her success in this position opened the door to her current role. And it's a place she loves. A place where she can use her authentic self to lead effectively.

"In my current position, I am a trainer, coach and facilitator," she said. "I thrive when I can help to instill a Lean mindset across Michelin, driving progress through simplification, supporting diversity, equity and inclusion while embracing the 'All Sustainable' approach for the future."