Why I stay at Caterpillar after 20 years

Nothing like getting my 20-year pin to make me feel middle: middle aged, mid-careered and middle managed. (Hear more about my Middle Thoughts here: TEDx message). I started at Caterpillar on June 9, 1997, one month after graduating from college. I have short yet vivid memories of my first day: Waiting in the office lobby, feeling uncomfortable in my navy pantsuit, awkwardly attempting the very grown up practice of shaking hands. Imagining that I would be at Caterpillar for 20 years was the furthest from my mind that day. Yet, I reached the milestone, got the pin and ate at celebratory lunch. I’m thankful for the employment. And I’m proud to choose Caterpillar. The question I’m asking:  Why?  What keeps me at Caterpillar? And are these the same reasons I stayed at 5, 10 and 15 year milestones?  After some reflection, I realized, that I'm in it for the work, the people and the promise of the culture. 

 Why I stay at Caterpillar after 20 years:

1. The work matters – The work of our customers using Caterpillar products makes progress possible globally through the sectors of infrastructure, energy, agriculture, transportation, water, natural resources. I ‘m sincerely interested in the work of the Caterpillar product. And while I don’t interface with customers nearly enough, I’m proud of their work. Caterpillar customers build the world.
2. The people matter – I love the people that have become my Caterpillar family over the past 20 years. My Caterpillar family exposes me to the cultures and traditions of the world. My Caterpillar family appreciates my hard working, mid-western roots and respects me for being me. My Caterpillar family includes the Cat Dealer employees who teach me about customer service and what it means to represent the Cat Brand. My Caterpillar family represents deep seated relationships that matter.
3. The culture matters – Caterpillar is over 90 years old.  The world has entered the digital era and this causes dissonance with the legacy culture that made Caterpillar successful in the past. While the values that made us great will continue to power us into the future, the culture must change. We talk about “the age of smart iron.” But talking isn’t enough. What will it take for us to grow in the age of smart iron? It is as simple and as difficult as a change in the culture. This change journey has me jazzed. I believe in the vision of inclusion fueling innovation. I believe in new voices, experiences, cultures partnering to champion the work of our customers. I believe in the effortless migration between the digital and physical experiences for employees and customer. I believe in the call to boldly champion change!