Kathryn Howard - Embrace Your Value to Elevate Your Career in the Trades!
Dec 2, 2024
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Kathryn Howard, CEO of Lee's Air, Plumbing, Heating, & Roofing, emphasizes self-worth and opportunities in the trades. She shares her diverse journey from call center roles to leading a booming business, advocating for everyone’s potential in the industry. The discussion highlights the importance of daily disciplines and resilience for success, as well as the critical need for effective communication and mentorship. Kathryn also delves into empowering technicians and their significant contributions to team morale and overall success.
Learning a trade is an accessible career option that prioritizes hands-on training over traditional educational pathways, enhancing opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Self-awareness is crucial for personal and professional growth, as it encourages individuals to replace negative habits with productive practices to achieve daily success.
Effective communication and recognition of skilled tradespeople are essential for empowering technicians, fostering pride, and enhancing their perceived value within the industry.
Deep dives
The Pathway to Prosperity in Trades
Learning a trade requires minimal debt and time compared to traditional educational pathways, offering an accessible career option for individuals from all backgrounds. The podcast emphasizes that many successful contractors have gained their skills through hands-on training rather than extended schooling. It is highlighted that if a prospective employer does not provide on-the-job training, aspirants should seek other companies that do, reaffirming that there is a viable route to success in the trades for everyone willing to learn and work hard. This message promotes the belief that anyone can thrive in the home services industry, including plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work.
The Power of Discipline and Self-Improvement
Daily success and improvement are achievable through consistent disciplines that replace negative habits with productive practices. The podcast discusses the concept of self-awareness, where individuals must recognize areas of their life that require attention, such as communication and personal relationships. It underscores the importance of eliminating bad habits and replacing them with better ones, which is essential for personal growth. By doing so, individuals can strive toward becoming the best version of themselves, which ultimately benefits both their professional and personal lives.
Long-Term Perspective vs. Instant Gratification
The podcast discusses the critical distinction between short-term and long-term thinking, particularly in the context of socio-economic status. It illustrates that individuals focused on immediate satisfaction often struggle to rise above their circumstances, while those with a long-term outlook are more successful and fulfilled. Examples of delayed gratification illustrate that even difficult choices today can lead to healthier and more prosperous lives in the future. Therefore, cultivating a mindset of foresight is essential in both personal and professional endeavors.
The Importance of Technician Communication and Recognition
Effective communication and recognition of skilled tradespeople are essential for their empowerment and success. The podcast emphasizes how technicians' value can sometimes go unrecognized among both themselves and customers, which can impact their self-worth. It encourages technicians to understand their crucial role in providing essential services and to embrace their skills as being on par with those of other professions like doctors or lawyers. By framing their work in this broader context, technicians can foster a sense of pride and increase their perceived value in the marketplace.
Building a Strong Organizational Culture
Creating a high-performance environment is vital for organizations, which begins with leadership that sets a standard and leads by example. The podcast stresses the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of technicians, ensuring they feel appreciated and motivated in their roles. Regular communication about achievements and reinforcing the importance of each individual's work fosters a sense of belonging and community within the team. This supportive culture not only enhances productivity but also attracts and retains top talent in the trades.
Kathryn Howard has worked in call centers, served as an HVAC service manager, and gained experience in the field with sales. Earlier this year of 2024, she took over Lee's Air, Plumbing, Heating, & Roofing, leading the company to extraordinary growth. She believes that, regardless of gender, race or country of origin, that anyone can succeed in the trades.
In this episode, we talked about self-worth, team recognition, women in the trades, HVAC innovation...
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