Elizabeth Aldana

I would say, for the most part, my upbringing is what I contribute most of my success and my journey to. My parents were dairy farmers, therefore I grew up on a dairy farm, and from a very early age I learned that you just keep going forward. You figure it out. You become resourceful, you just gotta make it happen. And I've just taken that forward with me, and I don't really let anything deter me if I want something or need to accomplish a task. There's always a way, make a decision and live with it. Combining this mindset with the opportunities I have been afforded throughout my career have contributed to my success.

The best career advice I ever received was from one of my coaches about 15 years ago when I was participating in a leadership training program. She said to me, "you have to realize that most of the leaders above you are also just trying to figure things out." This simple perspective enabled me to adjust my expectations of those around me, and encouraged me to be more collaborative when it came to leadership in all directions. This advice was very impactful because it gave me a different perspective, causing me to pause and rethink how I approach situations. I know it's kind of a bizarre comment, but it stuck with me, and I refer back to it often. Now that I teach Leadership skills to clients, I am certain to weave in this perspective during my classes with the hopes of having a similar impact on someone else's leadership style.

Manufacturing is a very male-dominated industry, historically, though I think the tides are starting to shift, fortunately. I try not to even really acknowledge that fact, and don't look at this imbalance as a potential limiter. Make sure you have a voice at the table. You can be stern, and you can be assertive. It doesn't mean you have to change who you are. But don't let anybody try to be dismissive of you because you're a woman, or too young, or 'new'. As far as opportunities and challenges, it goes back to being a male industry - sometimes it takes a little bit more energy and time to build my credibility with the client, depending upon their philosophies and their own experience. So I listen, pivot, and meet people where they are.

As far as opportunities and challenges, it goes back to being a male industry - sometimes it takes a little bit more energy and time to build my credibility with the client, depending upon their philosophies and their own experience. So I listen, pivot, and meet people where they are. I actually have several women on my consulting staff who are excellent technical experts and highly effective coaches. Pivoting is critical, I've learned through my career that it's important to match energy in engagements, this builds the most credibility and connection.

Integrity - standing up for what I believe in and doing what I say I'm gonna do.

The value of a Team approach, winning as a team. I'm not a competitive person. I want to be inclusive and bring people along, and to me, that's extremely important, both from a work and a personal life standpoint. Being there for my team is also a core value for me.