Beth McSorley, gerente general de Operaciones de revestimientos de GAF, y Katrina Baker, gerente de Planta en GAF Tuscaloosa, comparten sus valores personales que las ayudaron a impulsar los resultados como mujeres en fabricación y a establecer relaciones duraderas en todo su liderazgo.
"When I started at GAF 23 years ago, nobody handed me a playbook that said, 'here's what you need to do,' says Beth McSorley, General Manager, Coatings Operations. "And while some may think that's a bit harsh, it's what I needed. It was up to me to figure things out."
Over the course of her time at GAF, McSorley has held a variety of roles. She began working in Inside Sales, and then shifted to the technical side of the business working in Field Services inspecting single-ply roofs. Following her work in the field, she took on responsibilities in codes and testing, before transitioning to the operations side of the manufacturing business. Now, as the General Manager of Coatings Operations for GAF's Walpole, Phoenix, Gum Springs, and Charleston plants, she reflects on her professional growth. "Over the years, I've learned that we're a dynamic company with dynamic people that solve dynamic problems. And that figuring things out-while challenging-is an opportunity that helps us progress."
The Importance of Values
In today's world-with shifts in the market, customer and client needs becoming more diverse and complex, and technology advancing-charting our own path is a real challenge. To push the industry forward, it helps to learn from each other about what keeps us grounded, empowered, and successful in driving results. For leaders Beth McSorley and Katrina Baker, it comes down to core personal values.
"I operate from 10 personal values," says Baker, Plant Manager of GAF Tuscaloosa, "but there are two that frequently come to mind: do no harm, and right things for the right reasons." Baker learned the value of 'do no harm,' a commonly taught principle in the world of healthcare, when she was the primary caregiver of her mother for ten years. Baker applies this value in all aspects of her work and personal life and even used it as a guiding force when defining the priorities for GAF's Tuscaloosa plant.
"When I began at the Tuscaloosa plant, I spent a lot of time observing the plant, speaking with team members, and taking detailed notes," says Baker. This allowed her to align the team on three key priorities:
- Safety (people, then equipment)
- Quality (of product and workmanship)
- Productivity (the rate of our output)
Inside the home, Baker frequently uses the phrase 'right things for the right reasons'-words her daughters know far too well. To Baker and her family, this means acting in a way that you can be proud of and having the self-awareness to think through how your actions might affect others. "It all comes down to respecting people," Baker says in speaking about her two core values. When applying these core values to her work in the Tuscaloosa plant, it means fostering a community where everyone is respected."
Advice for Future Leaders
In describing her experiences managing our Coatings plants, McSorley shares the importance of respect and other forces that guide her.
"Es muy importante detenerse y saludar a todos. Es un pequeño gesto que requiere trabajo, pero es necesario si realmente respetas y valoras a la gente". McSorley has worked hard to be as approachable as possible over the years and aspires to be someone who can have a conversation with anyone. Cuando le preguntamos qué consejo les daría a aquellos que comienzan a perfilarse como líderes en el sector industrial, ilustra la importancia de ser auténticos mediante una analogía futbolística.
"Después de ser testigos del éxito de Bill Belichick, muchos entrenadores de la NFL trataron de emularlo", afirma. "En última instancia, fallaron porque solo hay un Bill Belichick. Yo no soy Bill Belichick. Pero yo soy Beth, y eso es lo mejor que puedes ser... tú mismo".
The personal values we hold make us who we are, whether we strive to do no harm, remember right things for the right reasons, establish respect or act with authenticity. Values can provide a sense of direction, guide our decision-making, and help us stand out.
To learn more about how you can apply your personal values to career opportunities at GAF, visit www.gaf.com/careers.
