Finding My Tribe… at the WiM Summit

Posted on by Charli Matthews
Finding My Tribe at WiM

Such an amazing thing happened to me last week, I found myself surrounded by a group of women that were just like me, and I have to say…it was wonderful.

Let me explain how this happened –

A few weeks back I heard about an event in Hartford, CT called the Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Summit. Women in manufacturing!  I couldn’t book my ticket fast enough!

So I traveled to Hartford, CT to be inspired and make sure I was on the right track with my current mission to find and attract more Women in the Pump Industry.  Because I am not actually a Women in Manufacturing or even a Women in Engineering for that matter, so I often wonder if I am the right person to be pushing for this change? But I keep finding myself driven to promote organizations like this, in part I believe it is because if I was introduced to these career options when I was 10, and I could absolutely see me in either one. Walking through a manufacturing plant, learning how things are designed, and seeing how people and systems work together to create efficiency excites me. So, I can’t tell you how happy it made me feel to be surrounded by women who I could relate to.

I was impressed even before the first speaker took the stage. The lady that sat next to me was the project leader for a Youth robotics team.  She spoke about ***STEM, another passion of mine, and the importance of giving children different options after high school based on what they enjoyed and were trained to do.  It was fascinating! She was fascinating!  She talks about Dream It, Do It and Manufacturing Day, both initiatives very close to my heart.

And then the speakers started, and I was just in awe of each one.   These ladies had such passion for WiM, empowering women, and manufacturing.  I watched these ladies, hanging on every word they spoke.  The experience was unlike anything I have experienced before… It was “Empowering”… As they spoke I saw a little bit of myself on the stage.  A Woman…. A Leader… A Change Maker…

Later in the day, we broke into a session to determine our ‘problem solving style’.  It was at this moment that I realized I had found my tribe.  I hear that problem solving and creative thinking are basically the same…I have heard many times that people see me as creative but I never saw that in myself; but Problem Solving – YES – that is how I see myself!  You have a problem… GOOD… I want to SOLVE it! I have never been so happy as to finally “get me”.

Now get this… most women are on the left side of the “problem solving curve”.  More adaptive and supportive in nature, but the women in this room were shifted to the right.  This made perfect sense to me.  This was a group of women who have chosen to be in Manufacturing, a traditionally male dominated industry. Why? Because they know they Can Do It; no matter what the current setting, we know we can make it better, make a difference, we don’t have to conform, and the simple fact that Can’t is just fuel on the CAN fire.

I just loved their stories of childhood, pretending to be builders or just “playing in the dirt” activities. When I closed my eyes to think about myself at 10, I remembered building a tree house with boards and nails I probably stole out of my dad’s tool shed.

Not surprisingly, I learned that my problem solving style was the more right of center… which could be most easily described as a chaotic mess.  But like the rest of the ladies at the table… IT’s OUR MESS. And it’s the best and only way for us to think…I wonder how many of you reading already knew this about me?

This reminds me of the time Stewart googled “why does she scribble all over her paper as she talks to people” after watching me during one longer than normal customer conference call. The answer, he told me, was that this is how I solve problems; “A platform of mess that finds a solution”

So as we wrote the “Advantages & Disadvantage” for my group… I thought I have finally found my tribe!

The conference was about looking for opportunities for our companies to get involved through WiM, community outreach, manufacturing day, and other organizations to inspire the next generation of girls that Manufacturing is an option for them… and not just an option but a great one!

As we approach Manufacturing Day, please think of opening up your hearts and facilities to help the next generation learn about manufacturing!

What are you doing to inspire the next generation?!?

***Stem

Please read my other blog post about STEM and its importance for the next generation to give them insight into the alternatives they have for career choices.

And I’ll close with a quote from the kai feedback document that I found profound “The notion of “different but equally valuable” requires insight and time to learn… let’s take time to learn how we can all work together for the greater good!

6 Years a Wonder Woman

Posted on by Charli Matthews

June 2nd has had the words “Wonder Woman” filled in on my calendar since the first moment I heard the movie would be available.  There are so many reasons I wanted to see this movie.  For one, I thought she kicked butt in Batman vs Superman, and I couldn’t wait to see what she would do next.  But additionally, I am looking for inspiration.  I am looking for a leader, and yes someone to look up to that reminds me I am on the right track.  As I celebrate my 6 year anniversary being a business owner, I have called on my “inner wonder woman” many times. It was exhilarating to see those traits on the big screen.

As I watched the movie (like all movies), I empathize with characters.  First, Diana’s mom… as a protective mom trying to shield her daughter from the pains of the world. And then her Aunt who mentored her to master the skills she needed to be fulfilled. Then, of course, Diana.  As every girl dreams… I want to have the power to save the world.

While watching the film, the moment she discovers her powers, our movie screened paused with this very powerful frame on screen. It couldn’t have been planned better if it was on purpose!  It was such a powerful scene and this glitch somehow amplified her powers all the way to our seats!   It was great!! It was also great when the film continued to play. 🙂

Diana Wonder Wowan

The next thing I noticed is that Diana had to take hold of her future.  Much like we have to do with our careers. We have to make the difficult decisions and take risks to see our goals realized.  I could really relate to her taking that leap!  You just have to make it happen, even when it seems impossible.  You Must Have Self-Confidence.  The only reason it worked is because she believed in herself; she knew she had the skills, so she was able to trust in her abilities.

This reminds me of the day I decided I would start a company.  I thought about my abilities. I have a business degree, I have built and obtained the right audience, and I could take care of a customer. I could almost see Diana going over this scene in the movie. Yes, Yes, Yes… I CAN…

But, let’s not forget the people that helped her and me get there… too many to count, but all playing a part in helping us get where we needed to be.

This is why it was so important that Diana had a mentor to guide her and make her do the work to be the best version of herself, so she could succeed. Even Wonder Woman needed help, so it’s ok for us to need and accept it as well!!

There were a few things I wanted to accomplish from day one:

  • To have a job (one that I would love)
  • To help the Fluid Sealing Association with their digital presence and expanding their partnerships
  • To Present on Social Media at TPS (Turbomachinery & Pump Symposia)
  • To partner with the Hydraulic Institute

I am most proud and fortunate to have been able to raise money for water charities and supported 32 children in Uganda. I have been able to take my family on work trips, which has just been the best! I have also employed people I love to work with and we together have built a really great brand!

If you didn’t already know, I am on the steering committee for Pump Summit Americas and also continue to help many of our clients and partners with strategic marketing plans.  Going from self to team and from my 1st client to now over 40… it has been a learning experience, a truly fabulous one!

For the last 15 years, I have worked to build my personal brand and thankfully have had access to a network of respectful (and also disrespectful) people to learn from – you’ve really got to take the good with the bad to truly learn.  It wasn’t easy…in fact, it has been extremely hard.  But, today I can truly say that I am satisfied in all my accomplishments, and that is something.

So, what’s next, you knew there was a next right!! With all I have done to craft a process and build a team… Next I would like to focus on developing others.  Maximizer is one of my strengths, and I truly believe I can help others improve by showing them simple tools that have come easy to me, but ones they might not have ever thought of.

My purpose is to help as many people as possible understand their value in our industry; an industry that is so important to living in comfort, and ironically, people just don’t realize it.  I also think our workers don’t realize just how special they are! So we are going to shine the spotlight on their hard work and dedication to our industry!

I also would like to recruit more women into our industry.  I need them as peers and our industry needs their new ideas and holistic problem solving approach!  I also want to keep telling my story so I can help other women identify what is needed to be successful in a predominantly male dominated industry, and know without a doubt – Women in Pumps is achievable and necessary. We just have to be able to find that balance where it all works for good. And sometimes, we have to tell ourselves “If no one else will defend the world, I must” ~ Diana AKA Wonder Woman!

Let’s take a minute to talk about the man in Diana’s life.  He completely shakes up Diana’s world, but he gives her the information she needed to begin her quest, and Diane chose to follow him into an unknown world.  Looking to him to lead her to the very spot where she could make the biggest difference. Demanding it even!  He supported her with resources and connections until it was her time to lead. And then, when it was her time to lead, he didn’t stand in her way.  This did not make him weak, instead partnering with her made him stronger, and they saved the day.  When it seemed impossible to all the men around her, Diana saw the solutions. She could see the big picture: the purpose, the path, the reason. It was not only to accomplish her goals but also for the good of the people. As we seek our own careers, we must look at where our talents lie, and what we can do for the greater good.  This is why I like to be at the table. If I am not there, I can’t see the whole story, and this is where real solutions to problems can be found.  So, I plan to get more women to take a seat at the table!

I’m sure you’ve noticed that I have been directing my messaging to women, because I feel that I can be a great deal of help as they maneuver their careers.  I have experienced many things in my 15 years in this industry, and I want to share my experiences so that hopefully someone else can benefit from the lessons I learned from an oh-so-bumpy ride.

I think we can all find a little Wonder Woman inside us!

Reading Patty Jenkins’ (Director of Wonder Woman) story was truly an inspiration.  She followed her dream to produce this EPIC film, and I’m sure soon-to-be-award-winning movie. Patty is a woman, she has a family, and she has a strong husband that admires and respects her.  I just read an article in which Chris Pine describes her husband taking care of the children as she worked tirelessly on the beach scene. How she was one of the best to work with because of her sense of humor.  With a project so big and so dear to everyone’s heart, she worked until it was right, while her husband handled the kids and showed that he was a very proud husband.  Now that women are half the workforce, I see this as a new normal (though every family has their own version of ‘normal’).

It is important to have female peer groups so we can learn from each other the skills on how to be successful in business and life, and just as important, to motivate and support each other – which is something I have mentioned a number of times before in my blog posts.

So last but definitely not least – we should pay attention to Gal Gadot.  She was excellent – beautiful, strong, loving, compassionate, funny – on and off the screen. She must forever be comfortable in her own skin.  She will always be, as Lynda Carter is, Wonder Woman.

Now… who is the next Wonder Woman I will meet? Please tell me your story, so we can learn from each other!

Champion For Girls

Posted on by Charli Matthews
Champion for girls photo

Today was a great day!

I don’t know if it is just me or if others experience this as well, but when I am about to hit a breakthrough it seems that it instantly starts to fall apart around me.  I think it’s a test, a test to see if I will just give up or actually push through to get there… You feel me? All too often however I let self-doubt and workplace frustrations creep in to my thoughts, so much so that recently I couldn’t even make a simple trip to the post office without making wrong turns…This was my morning… Thankfully, I had a Women’s Leadership luncheon planned.  Not at my best, but I thought at least I can sit and listen to the speaker on “Why Mentors Matter”, which has always been a big interest of mine.

Little did I know the treat that I would receive! First, the tables were set up with the non-sponsors in the back (now y’all know I typically never sit in the back) but I knew exactly where to sit. The ladies at my table were amazing and I instantly could tell they were driven leaders in their field! I met several ladies in finance, a grant coordinator, a marketer, and Emily Baker. Emily, who is currently working at B.F.Goodrich in Supply Chain, had a spark and excitement about her!  As you can probably guess I was drawn to her almost instantly.  When I ask her about her background and she explained she graduated as a mechanical engineer…. I am not sure I heard what was after… I was jumping up and down inside… A LADY ENGINEER!  I was so excited!  If she had been sitting right next to me I am not sure I would’ve been able to stop the endless questions I wanted to ask her!  I got her number and knew I would talk with her later… This connection was just meant to be!

As the speaker, Connie Hill, PHD and CEO of Girls Inc. of Central Alabama was introduced, I wondered what was Girls Inc.  As she spoke about her previous careers and mentors, I was really touched by her early work with the Alliance to End Homelessness and Domestic Abuse. She spoke about mentoring as a duty that we have to build a better future.  Then, she explained to group, her mission to raise awareness for Girl, Inc.!  This is the good part!

“Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold”

That one line was enough for me to want to support the organization, but then I heard more… At age 6 (my daughter’s age), girls start thinking they aren’t as smart as boys.  That stat is NOT ok with me. I immediately thought… how can we fix that?  She went on to say that Girls Inc. empowers girls to succeed by helping develop the skills and confidence they need to achieve at their highest level. They help girls reach their fullest potential by providing gender-specific, age-appropriate programming that teaches life skills and promotes healthy life choices.  They TEACH! This was the biggest takeaway for me.  As I plan to develop a Women’s program in our industry, I have been asking myself, what do we want to talk about? This was also a topic at our lunch table and I think we found the answer we needed. It’s about teaching the actual skills for the job!  It doesn’t matter the mentor or the mentee.  At the end of the day, they should both leave the session with an ‘I CAN do it’ attitude and the skills to accomplish it!

As a woman in a male dominated industry, I am excited about the opportunity to create this type of peer group for the ladies I know in engineering, marketing, and management!

Speaking of engineering, this is really what made my day… Connie explained they focus on areas where women are not. “Girls Inc.’s core areas of programming include: science, math, technology, career development, economic literacy, English & creative writing, healthy living, arts, sports and cultural enrichment.”

So for me I met a present day engineer working in a male-dominated industry and the woman who is the CEO of an organization that is focused on building the future for WOMEN engineers, scientists, and basketball players, to name but a few, in Alabama!

Stay tuned because you will be definitely be hearing more and more about this organization as I take the next step of finding out how I can be more involved. For now, make sure you check out how to be a #ChampionForGirls on their website: http://www.girlsinccentral-al.org/