In North Philadelphia, Born and Raised: Catherine Bitting on Mutual Respect and Soft Skills

Catherine Bitting shares her journey from Philadelphia to Wichita and her passion for the manufacturing industry. She discusses her role as a program manager at WSU Tech and the importance of building relationships and pushing projects forward. Catherine also highlights the need for soft skills in the manufacturing industry and the challenges of bridging the gap between blue-collar and white-collar workers. In this conversation, Catherine Bitting discusses the importance of building mutual respect across the blue and white-collar lines in the manufacturing industry. She emphasizes the value of recognizing and appreciating the different skills and contributions of both sides. Catherine also highlights the need for leaders to create a culture of respect and inclusivity, particularly for women in the industry. She suggests that leaders should provide resources and support for working mothers and create a safe and welcoming environment for women. Additionally, Catherine shares the importance of understanding different temperaments and using tools like the temperament quiz to improve communication and collaboration within teams.

Takeaways

• Catherine Bitting's journey from Philadelphia to Wichita is a fascinating blend of love, relocation, and a deep passion for the manufacturing industry.
• Building relationships and pushing projects forward are key aspects of Catherine's career in manufacturing.
• Soft skills, such as communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and conflict resolution, are essential for success in the manufacturing industry.
• There is a disconnect between blue-collar and white-collar workers in terms of the perception and value of soft skills.
• Bridging the gap between blue-collar and white-collar workers requires understanding, empathy, and breaking down biases. Building mutual respect across blue and white-collar lines is crucial in the manufacturing industry.
• Recognizing and appreciating the different skills and contributions of both sides is essential.
• Leaders should create a culture of respect and inclusivity, particularly for women in the industry.
• Providing resources and support for working mothers is important for attracting and retaining women in manufacturing.
• Understanding different temperaments and using tools like the temperament quiz can improve communication and collaboration within teams.

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