392 Breaking Barriers: How Diversity and Confidence Drive Growth in Water Treatment

“Your most limiting factor is yourself.” - Tessa Nge

In this week's episode of the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast, we're thrilled to bring you an empowering conversation between host Trace Blackmore and two leaders in the water treatment industry— Tammy Faber, Sales Director, and Tessa Nge, Service Quality Supervisor at HOH Water Technology. Together, they explore how diversity fuels success, the importance of overcoming Imposter Syndrome, and how you can take meaningful steps to give back to our industry.

Diversity Drives Success: The Data Speaks
Diversity isn't just about creating fair workplaces—it's a proven driver of business success. Tammy shared powerful insights from a study titled “Diversity Drives Sales Success: The Link Between Successful Sales Teams And Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion,” commissioned by LinkedIn.

This data shows that teams with strong diversity practices see:

• 6% higher customer satisfaction
• 12% higher sales
• 28% higher conversion rates
• 3% higher sales forecasts

"Diversity drives sales," Tammy stated. It's clear that fostering diverse teams doesn't just boost morale—it boosts the bottom line. Diverse teams approach challenges from different angles, offering innovative solutions that serve a wider range of customers. When organizations embrace diversity, they unlock untapped potential for growth.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: A Battle We All Face
Imposter Syndrome is a challenge many of us encounter, no matter our level of expertise. Tessa opened up about this, emphasizing "Imposter Syndrome is something everyone struggles with. Overcoming it is hard and takes intentional practice." It’s not about eliminating self-doubt overnight but about taking deliberate steps to recognize and overcome it.

Tessa and Tammy’s top tips for overcoming self-doubt:

• Acknowledge your accomplishments. Take time to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. This can shift your mindset and reinforce your value.
• Step out of your comfort zone. Growth comes from challenging yourself. As Tessa mentioned, "You won’t grow unless you’re willing to be uncomfortable."
• Seek feedback. Tammy also highlighted the importance of feedback, saying, "I always start by asking if it’s a good time to provide feedback. This shows respect and creates a space for open dialogue."

"Your most limiting factor is yourself," Tessa wisely added. By recognizing that our self-doubt often holds us back, we can take intentional steps toward building confidence.

Building a Culture of Support
Creating a culture of support is vital for both personal and professional growth. Tammy and Tessa also discussed the vital role of a positive workplace culture in fostering growth and confidence. According to Tammy, "Intentionality is key to defining your culture. It should flow through every aspect of your organization." She emphasized that a strong culture empowers employees to thrive and feel supported.

Tessa echoed this sentiment, noting that a culture of trust and accountability allows individuals to flourish. "When you remove micromanagement and create a supportive environment, employees can focus on their growth," she said. By promoting mentorship, offering training opportunities, and encouraging open dialogue about the challenges we encounter, we can cultivate a healthy work culture that benefits everyone.

Taking Action: Give Back to the Water Treatment Community
This week, we challenge you to give back to the industry that’s given so much to you. Whether it’s mentoring a young professional, volunteering with a local organization, or visiting a school to inspire students about careers in STEAM, now is the time to make an impact. As Tammy passionately said, "We need people that love this industry, that have a heart to help others and to grow others. There is no amount of expertise needed. The only thing you need is a willing heart and time." By giving back, you not only help others but also strengthen the community that has supported your own journey.

Final Thoughts: Know Your Worth
We wrapped up this inspiring conversation with a powerful reminder from Tammy: "Know your worth. Take time to identify your limiting beliefs and pull them out by the roots. You are unique, and your talents are valuable." Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and stepping into your full potential requires recognizing your own value.

No matter where you are in your career, these lessons—embracing diversity, overcoming self-doubt, and fostering a culture of support—are essential for growth.

Join the Conversation
Listen to this eye-opening conversation in our latest episode with the player above, or visit ScalingUpH2O.com/392 to tune in. Together, we can foster a more inclusive, supportive, and growth-driven environment in the water treatment industry.

Stay curious, stay informed, and keep scaling up your knowledge!

Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore shares FREE resources for water professionals on the Scaling UP! H2O website and wishes everyone a happy late Halloween
12:30 - Interview with Tammy Faber, Sales Director and Tessa Nge, Service Quality Supervisor at HOH Water Technology
51:14 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald 

Connect with Tammy Faber
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://hohwatertechnology.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-faber-m-b-a-4680649/
Read or Download Press Release HERE

Connect with Tessa Nge
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessaskilton/ 

Scaling UP! H2O Resources
Audible (30 days free with this affiliate link)
The Hang November 14, 2024
Legionella Resources Page
Events for Water Treatment Professionals

Guest Links Mentioned
Diversity Drives Sales Success: The Link Between Successful Sales Teams And Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion. A Forrister Consulting Thought Leadership Paper Commissioned By LinkedIn
Women in Water & Young Professionals– Dealing with Diversity and How to Overcome Challenges by Tammy Faber & Tessa Nge
252 The One About the Operations Manager Turned Sales Manager with Tammy Faber
380 The WOW Effect: Women Leading Transformation in the Water Industry
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Novus Global
Ted Lasso TV Show
It's Not About The Nail Video

Books Mentioned
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
Worthy by Jamie Kern Lima
It by Stephen King

Drop By Drop with James
In today’s episode, I have a challenge for you. The challenge is…explain alkalinity to a non-technical person. Now, if you’re like me, this is a fun challenge! I LOVE explaining industrial water treatment to people! If you’re not like me, then sorry, but please do this challenge anyway. Alkalinity is a foundational bit of knowledge we must all understand as industrial water treaters. Technically, it is defined as the acid absorbing or neutralizing property of water. Sounds simple enough, right? What are the chemical components that make up alkalinity, though? We usually think of carbonate, bicarbonate, and hydroxide ions, but can there be others? Why does alkalinity matter in cooling systems, boilers, closed loops, and wastewater? The answer can be different for each. How do we measure alkalinity? We talk about P-alkalinity, M-alkalinity, and OH or hydroxyl alkalinity, but how are each different, how are they related, and what is each measuring? Total alkalinity and M-alkalinity are the same thing. That can be confusing to some. Why are they the same? How would you explain this to a non-technical person? Can you explain it right now or do you need to do a little more research first? Albert Einstein once said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” This is your challenge to understand alkalinity well enough to explain it simply. 

Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.