3 Ways Men Can Support Empowering Women in Industry

Posted on by Charli Matthews
Men_Supporting_Women_in_Industry

As we continue to build a community of women in male-dominated industries and finalize plans for the Empowering Women in Industry Conference & Gala, I can’t forget about the 79% of our audience that are men.  I want to assure you that shining the spotlight on women in industry will only increase value to you and your organizations.  It does not devalue men.  The end goal is a Diverse workforce.  However, to get there, we must build a more inviting space to be more inclusive; diversity only works when coupled with inclusivity. And inclusivity works both ways.

Just this week, as I planned my #IWD2019 event, I asked a few men to attend.  I got responses like “I don’t want to be in the minority” and “I would stick out like a sore thumb there.” This is the same feeling women have when they are the only woman in the room. It is their passion for this industry and professional goals that drive them forward and over the obstacles which sometimes unintentionally get anchored in front of them. Through my research and life experiences, I know there is a need for a “women supporting women” environment. In a male-dominated industry, this is harder to find.

On a positive note, I have found close to 400 women in my network (when I originally thought it was more like 20) who are actively seeking this supportive network.   What we focus on is what we see! My network ratio has always been 80/20 male.  We just experienced a 1% change because I focused on connecting with women… I am focused on building role models for our industry and our children.  And I need your help.  So, you might feel a little uncomfortable, but know that supporting this initiative is better in the long run. Many women who have a passion for building and problem solving feel uncomfortable and alone most days on the job, so let’s start showing our support for them.

Read more! 

 

 

Let’s Invest in Tuscaloosa… Let’s Elevate Tuscaloosa

Posted on by Charli Matthews
Elevate Tuscaloosa

Yesterday, I met with members of Chamber Tuscaloosa for a meeting for Small Businesses.  We discussed opportunities and challenges we face as business owners. I absolutely love these types of meetings and I am always inspired to get more involved!  These meetings allow us to understand a better way to help and grow our local community.  The majority of my customers are outside the state.  However the more I talk with local businesses, the more I realized there are many opportunities right here!

In this meeting, I also learned that there is a pretty strong proposal pending approval that will help develop and grow business opportunities in Tuscaloosa.  Spend the time and watch the video on ElevateTuscaloosa.com

We discussed a couple topics of this proposal that peaked my interest!  These topics were the Conference Center and Airport Improvements!  I travel monthly to airports to visit conference centers around the world, and it would be great to bring some of these event to T-town.  I’d bring my own company event here if there was proper transportation options for my clients.

This proposal also discusses Workforce Development, Transportation, and Tourism.  I believe it is worth taking a closer look.  Our workforce needs skilled workers across the nation, and we have the ability to prepare & educate our community to provide these jobs!

Let’s invest in Tuscaloosa!

A Leaky Valve Story

Posted on by Charli Matthews
A leaky valve story

A little over a year ago, I had a wreck that changed my life! It opened my eyes to how fast that I was going and that if I didn’t “slow down” I may not be here for much longer.  That day I experienced tingling and numbness in my arms and the legs.  I began to experience fatigue.  A lack of care and then followed by headaches.  After taking my blood pressure as a joke really, I found my blood pressure was as high as when I was pregnant with Karli.  This was my bench mark of blood pressure because really it was the only time I paid any attention to it.  I can remember the doctor being worried and asking me to lay on my side until it decreased.  I had one more headache that lasted three days. Then I went and basically told the doctor I needed blood pressure medicine.  For me, this was big because I hate medicine.  I know… coming from a family in the medical field, but I just don’t like to take them; mostly because I am a baby and cough syrup knocks me out.  All my blood tests had come back showing I was healthy – other than this high blood pressure issue.  Well, coming from the pump industry, my reaction was “What is the root cause!” (did I mention I don’t like taking medicine?!).

I began to see doctors to try and figure out what was going on as I was still have the fatigue and numbness.  As someone that works with their arms and fingers everyday, this was very distracting because I had to be able to work. I paid very close attention to my body.  Thanks to my brother, the chiropractor, I am very aware when things are quite aligned.  But I knew this was different. In the Summer at the pool, I dove down to the bottom of an 8-ft pool and couldn’t catch my breath.  I noted it, but thought, “man, I am out of shape!”  After being put on the blood pressure pills, my doctor became MIA. I finally decided I couldn’t wait any longer.  I needed a new doctor.  I was recommend to a doctor just down the road.  The only problem was that I still had to wait on the appointment.  I had two weeks to be patient.  During this time, something happened.

I was in a situation with my family where I felt extremely annoyed because I wanted my children to understand the importance of engineering and welding, but my kids didn’t want to behave to tour the school.  All of a sudden, I felt a pain in my chest.  This happened again when cars were blinking their lights at me, and I couldn’t understand why.  I had Karli in the car, and since I had just watched a movie about a car catching on fire, I assumed I was having an anxiety or panic attack. I noted it but didn’t get too alarmed.

I finally had my doctor visit and described what was going on with me. I told her everything.  She listened and examined me with care.  I have to say it was so nice to have a lady to talk to, and I felt that she understood all my worries.  My blood work came back with VERY low B12 and D quantities, so I began weekly B12 shots and this helped my numbness and tingling immediately after the shot.  I was amazed! I was like… Well that was it! I have just been too stressed and not eating enough steak!  Everything else looked great…

I made it through the holidays, but I felt anxiety as we looked at purchasing hunting rifles. I walked away and didn’t feel bad, but later I didn’t sleep well. The next morning I started my day with coffee and my computer. As I took a break, I was pushed down to my seat. I couldn’t breathe well. I walked slowly. I told Carter that I was going to shower, and was very uneasy…I had trouble raising my arms and became really scared I would be found naked in the shower! Luckily, I made it through and then immediately called the doctor.  They brought me in right away, and the EKG was normal. I was shocked! I was persistent that they needed to keep checking, something was wrong and I could feel it, so they did an ultrasound and discovered I had a bicuspid opening instead of a tricuspid valve in my aortic valves.  Yes, aorta is all I needed to hear as well!

I laugh now coming from the pump industry… it’s always the valve right 😉 I’m being silly, but I am worried about putting myself under unneeded stress, as the valve is also leaking and flowing backwards. This, if not regulated, could create catastrophic damage. So… I have a regulated “chemical based” stress test Monday, and I just hope and pray this is something that can be protected with some predictive maintenance.

Say a prayer for me, and know I have great faith in all the people who maintain valves as well as the manufacture of my enlarged heart. Love to all of you today and every day.

The Great Handshake Challenge…

Posted on by Charli Matthews
The Great Handshake with Andrew Matthews

I am just getting back from AHR Expo where I shook hands with some of the most successful women and men in the business!  I always look forward to this event because it is unique to our industry as we get to see companies like Armstrong Fluid Technologies, WATTS, Schneider Electric, ABB, Danfoss, and WEG exhibiting innovative technologies that will help building owners save energy and run their pump systems efficiently. You can see all our fun here.

Shaking hands with these amazing leaders, I learned the most in the 5 hours after I left GWCC.  Here’s what happened…

After all the “Connected” talk at the show, I decided to connect to my new Jeep’s hands-free and get a few things accomplished while driving home. Suddenly, I got a text message on my CarPlay screen and was able to have Siri read it to me. So cool! Especially because the text had the monkey emoji in it. Too Funny… Go ahead… say monkey emoji out loud… You’re welcome!  LOL. As I drove from Atlanta back to Tuscaloosa, I made several hands-free calls, and I was thankful for the productivity on my drive home with a full inbox. Thank you, Technology!

I was almost home when I received a call from Carter saying they (my family) was on their way to eat and then off to my son’s basketball game.  I was so tired but decided to drive straight to the game.  When my family arrived, I was greeted differently from each of my three children.  Jackson (13) was in game mode, so I only got a fist bump. My middle child, Andrew (10), welcomed me with a hug, and Karli (8) yelled “Mommy!” loudly, running in for a big hug. Then I walked over and gave Carter a thankful kiss.

As I sat on the bleacher, I could feel my entire body.  I was officially all out of charm.  I had talked, walked, and danced so much I had worn the nail polish off my freshly painted toenails!  I try not to let people know when I’m tired, but I barely talked to anyone outside of my family that night.  All I wanted to do was be there for my son. I sat and spoke with Carter and Andrew about the Great Handshake while Karli played games on my phone.  Andrew was excited about his day.  He had shadowed a teacher and when they asked him if he would like that career, his answer was ‘yes’ and ‘no’.  “Yes, because I could work on a team,” Andrew explained. “No, because I am going to be an engineer at MIT.” My eyes got big and I smiled from ear to ear because I know so many brilliant engineers, and his declaration just blew me away.

My mind quickly flashed back to a few days earlier, when I had received a call from home. I was focused on the event, seeing our clients, meeting new people, and not at all ready to get a call from home to talk about Andrew’s missing blazer! When I’m traveling, Carter usually has everything under control, but this time, I got a call asking where Andrew’s blazer was. He had the final round of “The Great Handshake” competition the next day. He had been practicing and was really excited about it. I had been having dinner with a client, but I stepped into the next booth and took the Facetime call. Andrew was visibly upset. I was then visibly upset – at myself for not laying out the outfit before I left, and at Carter for not just handling that while I was away.  We had just been discussing this very topic in our Empowering Women’s group about how to be better organized at home when traveling for work. I let a couple tears flow, cleaned up in the bathroom, then went back to work… Sound familiar to my fellow working moms?

So, back to being with Andrew in the bleachers…I asked how it went… They had not picked the winner yet. The basketball game ended, and Jackson made me proud by being a team player, hustling, and scoring 17 points.

Jackson playing basketball

After the game, Karli wanted to ride home with me, so I rearranged the vehicle containing our booth display and materials so she could get in and ride safely – a sheer test of positivity in parenting when you’re already exhausted.

Once in the house, I just wanted to go to bed, but I try to spend a moment with each of my children.  So, I listened to Jackson tell me about his game. Karli wanted me to wash her hair, so I did and the water felt so good!  I decided I must run a bath! Then, I went to Andrew’s room.  He was laying in his bed writing in his journal.  I asked what he was writing about, and while he was initially hesitant to show me, he answered, “the great handshake”.  I was so proud!

He asked me to lay beside him and then he read me this line: “How to be a leader is good in life because you can help people, you can be trusted, and you can…” he paused, giving me a window to shout, “inspire others!” Andrew smiled and said, “Yes- that’s good!” He was writing about Round 1 and told me how he plans to write about the other rounds too. Having practiced his “handshake” with him, I knew how important this is to him. I wanted to know more, so I asked if he would read his journal entry to me from the beginning.  The next moment changed my perspective…

“The Great Handshake is an opportunity to greet new people and give yourself to the other person’s perspective or part of life.” WOW!! I almost cried tears of joy at this little man’s perspective! It was a good reminder that when we shake hands (which I had been doing all week), we should also open up and learn from the other person. I often think hugs (especially when hugging non-huggers) and photos can also be a great way to see into the lives of others.

After this precious moment with my son, I went to run my bath. My daughter was in “my spot” in the bed, and lovingly said she would warm it up for me. This surprised me. I told her I just heard a story about a husband that always warmed his wife’s spot before bed.  She said, “I know! I heard you tell daddy about it!” This girl listens to everything!  She is also very thoughtful!  #Proudmommy Thinking of the way we lean in to others, when I climbed into bed and snuggled up to my daughter, I took a couple pictures to remember this ‘Charli/Karli magic’ moment.  Karli looked at the photos and said, “Post that one! You have a sparkle in your eye!”

IMG_7305

The next day, when someone commented on the “glad to be home” photo, I thought… Yes, my work/life balance captured in a photo, a hug, and a great handshake!

How do you “lean in” to other people’s perspectives?

How does “the wife” de-stress?

Posted on by Charli Matthews
Charli K Matthews in St Lucia

After being diagnosed with hypertension / high blood pressure, I decided I needed to de-stress.  Laughing, my brother told me I needed to take a 6-month vacation, but we both knew that was not possible! Shortly after this conversation, I emailed a travel agent friend and told her I wanted to go somewhere warm right after Christmas with my husband, Carter. I booked a trip to St. Lucia. I felt I needed to relax, and it would be great to connect with Carter outside our business conversations and taking care of the children.

If you know me, I must be removed from civilization to stop thinking about work.  Mostly because I love to work, or better said, think about work. To be honest, I have discovered that relaxing does not come easy to me. I am bored sitting, doing nothing. I like an adventure!  Discovering the great unknown, the new…  This is why I told my friend that even though I wanted to go to an all-inclusive resort, I needed a mountain or waterfall or something to go explore. I can’t just drink and sit. Having said that, it was also ‘doctor’s orders’ to relax. So, I set the out-of-office response in my email and turned my phone services off.  It is great to have a team you can trust in your absence!

On the way to the island thinking about how to relax, I remembered a conversation with a lady from my church.  She had asked me if I ever just sat and watched TV. I answered ‘rarely’ and she was clearly shocked.  On the plane, I decided to look through the in-flight movies.  Carter always sleeps on planes, so I was solo. The featured movie was “The Wife”. I was intrigued but told myself “no girl power” movies.  I picked “Colette” thinking I had made a romantic pick to inspire the awe of a couples’ trip. I finished the movie, and with two hours to go, I decided to also watch “The Wife”. Not to spoil the movies, but they were both full of girl power! Both movies were about beautiful writers where the leading ladies began writing for their loves… to them even. But life happens and they realize the cards are stacked against them. The men both had affairs and published their writings under their name. They began to feel used and undervalued. They have great talents that are pushed to the background. The stories were tragic, but when I got home and heard Glenn Close’s speech at the Golden Globes. I thought, now that lady just made a difference! I loved this quote:

“And I feel what I’ve learned from this whole experience is that women, you know, we’re nurturers, that’s what’s expected of us. We have our children, we have our husbands if we’re lucky enough and our partners, whoever. But we have to find personal fulfillment. We have to follow our dreams. We have to say, I can do that and I should be allowed to do that.”

It spoke to me in many ways!  But… I am jumping ahead.
Carter and I had a wonderful trip, truly unplugged, and had a great time! You can see our silly pictures in a Facebook album. I had a wonderful, relaxing, exciting, fun time. But even in my “I’m not working mode”, I saw my work everywhere.  From water treatment to infrastructure to women entrepreneurs in the market…even the book I read mentioned men often see  women’s success as their failure.  This needs to change…today!

We have often heard great men are supported by great women.  But shouldn’t this be just as true:  “Great women are supported by great men!”  Think about it!  What needs to change for this to be true?!

“Men and Women are Different but Equally Valuable.”   This quote from breaking boundaries says it best: “The notion of different but equally valuable requires insight and time to learn.”

I found it fascinating that on a couples’ trip to a tropical island, I was seeing the importance of Empowering Women.  It is almost like the confirmation you need to continue your work.  The inner voice in my head was leading me back to what is important.  All things leading back to building a great Empowering Women in Industry event.

Stay tuned… and check out: EmpoweringWomeninIndustry.com