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