When Rachael Planas decided to look for a new role in 2016, she had a vision for her new employer.
“I wanted a company that was international, women-led, customer-focused, and full of opportunity to contribute and learn,” Rachael recalls.
Too ambitious? No way. When Rachael discovered Wolters Kluwer, a global leader in information, software solutions, and services, she knew she’d found all that — and more.
We sat down with Rachael, now the Director of Customer Success, to dive into the four ways she’s making an impact at Wolters Kluwer, along with her top tips on how you, too, can create change in your organization.
Ask questions
Rachael believes in the power of curiosity — so much so, that she refers to herself as "nosy."
“Learning by asking questions is a very big part of who I am,” she says. “As a people leader, I encourage my folks at all levels to dig in and ask questions.”
From Rachael’s experience, learning through inquiring also opens doors to career development opportunities and advancement. Her boss encapsulates this philosophy with his saying, “There are no borders to our jobs.” By probing into the hows and whys of a team's workflow, Rachael and her team are able to imagine new ideas, discover unique solutions, and streamline processes.
Work autonomously
One of the most fulfilling aspects of Rachael’s work at Wolters Kluwer is the autonomy she’s given — and the autonomy she provides to her team. This trust and freedom allow Rachael and her team to craft their own strategies, rather than simply following directives. They feel a sense of ownership and accountability, leading to greater innovation and creativity.
This culture is championed by Wolter Kluwer’s Customer Success leader, who often says, “I am not going to tell you how to run your business.”
“And she means it,” Rachael laughs. “My leaders and I can create strategies to execute the set goals, rather than being told what to do. Being trusted to do the right things for the business, our customers, and, most importantly, our folks is fulfilling, rewarding, and just makes me happy and proud to work for Wolters Kluwer.”
Champion teamwork
The combined power of a group is greater than the sum of their individual powers, and that’s certainly the case at Wolters Kluwer. Teamwork allows Rachael and the wider organization to drive efficiency, improve processes, and deliver the best results to their customers.
Central to their culture is the belief that everything is "figureoutable." This mindset empowers each team member to tackle challenges head-on, knowing they have the collective capability to overcome any obstacle, together.
“My leaders all contribute cross-functionally with a focus on career development, workload and capacity, process documentation, cross training, and employee engagement. We are accountable to each other, and that keeps us moving in one direction.”
Be authentic
Last, but certainly not least, staying true to her authentic self, and allowing her team to do the same, leads to greater impact at Wolters Kluwer.
As a proud Latina of Puerto Rican descent with a love for travel, joining Wolter Kluwer’s Multicultural Network was a natural step for Rachael. Through her globetrotting, Rachael has broadened her worldview and gained a deeper appreciation for other perspectives, attributes that she believes make her a stronger leader today.
“I joined the network because I want to encourage and support authenticity and learn how I can be a better colleague. Our cultures are woven into the fabric of who we are as individuals, and being free to openly share those pieces of ourselves just makes us better.”
“Our network will highlight all of the ways our cultures intertwine. It will foster vulnerability, understanding, and bring us closer as colleagues and, well, human beings. That will make us unstoppable as an organization.”
Create impact with these 5 steps
If you’re looking to make a difference in your organization, Rachael leaves you with this advice:
- Let it be known — and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. “Ask for opportunities. ‘Yes,’ ‘no,’ or ‘not now’ are the only answers you will get. In the instance you get the ‘no’ or ‘not now,’ ask for feedback.”
- Be coachable. “Receiving tough but thoughtful feedback is sometimes difficult. Listen, process, then be ready to do the work.”
- Do your current job well. “Deliver for your customers, meet your goals, and honor your word. That makes an impact every single day and positions you for whatever is next.”
- Seek other’s input. “Our folks have really good ideas, and, a lot of the time, they are just waiting to be asked. So, ask.”
- Take risks. “Take that new role, pitch the idea, try something new. You never know what will stick.”
