January 1, 2025 • 28 mins
This episode features a rich conversation with Katherine O'Toole, the Executive Director of the Kansas City chapter of the NTMA , exploring her journey from education to manufacturing leadership. Key topics include workforce development, networking, and initiatives to engage young talent in the manufacturing sector.
• Katherine's background in education and manufacturing
• NTMA's goals focused on networking and workforce development
• Importance of mentorship and connecting educators with industry
• BOTS KC's role in exposing students to manufacturing careers
• Challenges and strategies in event planning for member engagement
• Necessity of collaboration in overcoming the workforce crisis
• Insights on improving recruitment and retention strategies
• Focus on empowering women through the SheLeads initiative
• Emphasis on community and connections for industry success
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
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Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (00:01):
Hey manufacturers, I am so excited
that you chose to check out thispodcast.
This is a manufacturingintelligence podcast where we
talk about leading people inproduction and this is the
inaugural episode and I am justthrilled to bring it to you.
For this initial episode, Idecided who better to bring into
the conversation than CatherineO'Toole.
(00:22):
She's the executive directorfor the National Tooling and
Machining Association of theKansas City chapter, and
Catherine is just high energy,passionate about what we're
doing, and she has really beenbuilding this network in a
powerful way, and it's such anhonor for me to be partnering
with the network and providingthis podcast.
So pay attention to Catherine'spassion, her energy and her
(00:44):
desire to really invest in thiscommunity, not only for today
but for future generations.
And here's some of the waysthat she's innovating in
building bridges in theeducation space, among women in
the industry and amongbusinesses in the industry.
Check this out.
You will thoroughly enjoyCatherine's vision for the
organization and her love forthe industry.
(01:06):
And if you are watching this onYouTube and you want to listen
to it on podcast, feel free togo to your favorite podcast
source and look us up there.
If you're watching this orlistening to this and you want
to see Catherine and I interactin this video.
You can watch it on theirYouTube channel.
So thanks so much for joiningus, enjoy this episode and let's
(01:26):
continue to build manufacturingin Kansas City.
Hey everyone, it is an excitingthing for me to just invite you
or welcome you to theManufacturing Intelligence
Podcast and and we are justreally excited for this
conversation about talking aboutleading people in production.
(01:49):
And this is our inauguralepisode and it's in partnership
with the NTMA of Kansas City andwe have a great partnership and
I'm really excited about wherethis is going.
And this kind of came out ofthe vision that we had for what
can we do to serve the NTMAcommunity as well as just using
some of the things that I haveto bring to the table through
(02:11):
being a coach and a consultantand stuff, and so we partnered
together to do this and Ithought it would be a wonderful
way to kick things off by havingthe executive director of not
only the National Tooling andMachining Association of Kansas
City chapter as well as the BOTSKC executive director.
I'm going to welcome CatherineO'Toole.
(02:33):
Catherine, welcome to thepodcast.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (02:36):
Hey , thanks for having me.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of (02:38):
Thank you for joining me.
I know that you are a busy,busy woman these days.
You're juggling a lot of thingsand you're doing some amazing
things.
So let's just start by helpingpeople understand the roles you
play.
You work with both MTMA ofKansas City Chapter or Kansas
City Chapter of MTMA, and thenBotskacy.
(02:58):
Tell me a little bit about bothof those organizations.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (03:01):
Okay , Well, these are both
not-for-profit associations.
With the NTMA, I would say ourprimary goals or focuses kind of
center around networking andworkforce development and then
also some advocacy there at thenational level, and my role with
Botskacy ties right on in verymutual synergies as far as
(03:24):
workforce development goes.
So that program is aboutexposing young adults, teenagers
, high school students, to allof the viable careers in
manufacturing through designing,engineering and then building
and competing BattleBots.
So, I am working very hard topartner.
We have 30 schools or teamsparticipating this year with
(03:47):
some of our local shops, and wehave, I believe, just out of
half dozen of our local memberssupporting Bots KC and helping
mentor our team this year.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (03:55):
So there's some great synergy
between the two organizations.
Katherine O'Toole w/ (03:59):
Absolutely .
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (04:00):
And some of that aligns really well
with just who you are.
You've got a background ineducation, is that correct?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (04:05):
Yep , that is true.
I was an elementary teacher forover a decade.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (04:09):
All right.
So tell me about that journeythat you went on to go from
elementary education intoexecutive director of a
manufacturing association.
Tell me a little bit about howyou found this in your current
reality.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (04:28):
Well , my dad owned a tool and dye
shop Inland Tool.
So I grew up helping him notonly in the office but also in
his shop.
So I would say I definitelypreferred working in the shop
than doing paper filing, whichwas the go-to method at that
time.
So I kind of grew up in andaround industry.
It was always a favorite for mewhen my dad sold scrap because
he had some cash and I might beable to get a little some of
(04:51):
that to do something fun.
But I feel like just throughthat experience and my dad's
actual involvement with NTMA, myname was put out there for this
role of executive director.
I had been approached onceabout filling the position and
timing wasn't executive director.
I had been approached onceabout filling the position and
timing wasn't just right.
I had left teaching at the time.
It was right, I was working ina construction office and I had
(05:12):
been there for about three years.
That's where I really had myfirst go around with business
and you know it, just it seemedlike a good fit, accepted the
position and, man, it's reallygrown now from what was
definitely a part-time job tosomething that is definitely on
the side of full-time plus nowwith all of the different
initiatives we have going on.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (05:32):
Yeah .
So listen, you and I areconnected on LinkedIn and I see
you having coffee with industryleaders left and right on
LinkedIn and I see you visitingthis school and that company and
having board meetings and stuff.
So you're kind of all over theplace and I think that's just
(05:53):
how you're wired.
You're a go-getter, you getthings done.
But tell me, why are youmeeting with school district
leaders and why are you meetingwith business owners?
What's the ask of people thatyou're meeting with at any given
appointment?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (06:06):
Well , I'll answer first what I feel
like my main role is and thenI'll get to that ask, because I
think that is really important.
I feel like I'm a connector, soI feel like it is my job to
connect students teachers fromthe career tech ed programs to
our shops, to provide them someknowledge, some exposure about
(06:28):
manufacturing.
And what I have found is that,you know, as a teacher, I know
the many hats that theseindividuals are wearing, but not
often do they have personalexperience with tooling,
machining or really alwaysmanufacturing kind of depending
on the school and the programsavailable, but it's very limited
.
So I think that it is soimportant for us to fill the
(06:50):
workforce pipeline, to bringpeople into the workforce
pipeline.
They have to know what jobs areavailable.
Parents have to know the viablecareer options and they're not
going to be able to support itotherwise and teachers can't
advise something that they knowyou know nothing about.
So my ask, I guess, would be youknow we all recognize that
(07:11):
workforce development is aproblem.
It's been a focus of ourassociation all year.
But what are you really doingto be a part of that solution?
Are you serving as a mentor fora bots KC team?
Are you hosting groups of youththrough your shop, field trips
or even externships for adultsin the community?
Are you evolved on an advisoryboard where you can provide your
(07:33):
opinion to the teachers thatreally need it?
As far as what is important toindustry, where are the gaps
when students transition, excuseme, from a school to workforce?
There's just a lot of practicalways that individuals can
become involved and all you haveto do is ask me, because I will
help you find the way I postabout them a lot.
(07:53):
I email about them a lot andagain, as that connector, that's
why I'm meeting with all ofthese individuals, because they
really do go together.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (08:02):
So really your heart for education
and your natural ability toconnect kind of drives how you
lead the organization, becauseyou can connect existing entity
with people, raising up newworkforce people and bring them
together.
Is that a fair way of sayingthat?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (08:17):
Well , sure, yes, and absolutely, I
would say all of our members.
They want to do more businessright, they want to be able to
fulfill more orders, they wantto be able to grow, and they
can't do that without moreemployees and we are seeing a
large number of individualsaging out of the workforce.
Who's going to fill thesepositions so that you can do
more business right?
And I think it's beenincredibly important.
(08:39):
And the more business we do,the more business we drive into
Kansas City, the more known webecome as a manufacturing hub.
So it's all very cyclical.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (08:48):
So there's a few ways that I want
to go out of that.
I want to first of all justexplore this idea with you,
because I find it fascinating.
You talk about being aconnector.
One of the companies, one of myclients, is an NTMA member, and
one of their individuals justsaid hey, ryan, I need you to
connect with Catherine.
(09:08):
And he actually connected usand invited you and I to meet up
for lunch and we got to knoweach other.
I got to understand more ofyour story and then, from there,
you immediately said hey, I'vegot a meeting with this person.
Would you like to come meetwith me there and connect it
there?
Let's talk to your existingmembers for a moment.
How can they be voices to helpother industry leaders be a part
(09:32):
of NTMA?
What can they do to connect youwith some of their colleagues
who may not have chosen to be apart of this community yet?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (09:42):
Well , I think that's what I spent a
lot of this year working on wascreating events that members
want to attend.
So it took a great deal of timejust getting out into shops,
getting to know my members andnot just an owner or president,
but trying to get into multiplelayers of who you know exists
(10:02):
and help support the dailyoperations of a shop.
But number one we had to getpeople to come to events.
Number two, we had to getpeople to talk about those
events and why they weremeaningful and then invite
others.
So very often that was aquestion I asked my board.
You know who are you doingbusiness with that is great to
work with.
I would love to meet them.
(10:23):
I would love to know about whythey are successful and who are
you not doing business with thatyou would like to.
That we could draw into ournetwork and let them know all of
the opportunities there are,you know, to partner with other
machine shops tooling, you know,facilities, fabricators just
here locally.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circ (10:39):
Outstanding .
So two questions to follow upon that conversation.
Number one I want you to talkabout the events and then I'm
going to follow up after youtalk about some of the events
that you have.
Um, I'm going to talk a littlebit about, um, why someone would
come to those events.
We'll we'll break that open,but first tell me about your,
your shop visits, your speednetworking, some of those types
(11:00):
of events that you have okay.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (11:01):
well , yeah, I would say it's a hard
job making people happy, ryan,especially when people want
events in the morning.
People want events over.
People only want to come toevents after hours.
People prefer a Friday.
People don't like a Fridaybecause that cuts too close to
family time.
Nobody wants a Monday, butsometimes there's, you know,
availability on a Monday.
You know it is really hard.
(11:22):
So, um, trying to offer thingsat a variety of locations, both
on the Kansas side and theMissouri side, different times
of day.
Um, maybe there's lunch, maybeit's a happy hour.
We tried a family event.
We had a Mavericks hockey nightthis year.
I would say the greatestchallenge for me is thinking
about things that gentlemenwould like to attend.
At this point of time we have avery male-dominated population
(11:48):
within the Kansas City chapterof the NTMA, but we're working
on that.
But trying to think of thingsthat sound fun, sound unique.
I get great suggestions fromassociate members.
Jarvo sponsored a night at theFoley Warehouse.
Again, thankful to FederatedInsurance for their sponsorship,
not only at the hockey night,but stand up shuffleboard at the
(12:09):
maiden location, yeah, and then, of course, all of our shops
that open their doors for shoptours, for their sponsorship,
not only at the hockey night,but stand up shuffleboard at the
maiden location, yeah.
And then, of course, all of ourshops that open their doors for
shop tours.
I know that's difficult becauseessentially you're welcoming
your competitors to come righton into your shop, look at your
processes, maybe even get asneak peek of who you're sending
things to or who you're makingsomething for.
What's coming through your line, you know.
But I think that the membersthat have done it do so with a
(12:31):
greater vision of.
We are so proud of what we do.
We know we make our customershappy.
We'd love to showcase ourprocesses because we've worked
hard to establish them and wewant to do more business.
So everybody come check outwhat we're doing, and I would
say those shop tours are memberfavorites definitely.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (12:48):
You know, in people there's this
scarcity mindset that a lot ofpeople have.
Like man, why would I want tosit at the table with a
competitor?
Why would I let someone elsesee my shop and stuff?
You kind of hinted on that andyou know that's an interesting
conversation that we're havingand, honestly, if we're scarcity
mindset oriented, as a shopowner, this may not be the
(13:11):
organization for you althoughwe'd love to have you experience
and break down some of thoseassumptions.
But I think that a lot of thatscarcity mindset, what people
don't understand is theopportunity that's created in
the mindset, because when youcollectively unite to bring
people together for initiativeslike advocacy, raising up
workforce and havingconversations about man, I keep
(13:34):
having employee turnover and allof a sudden you're sitting
across the table with someonewho's dealt with a similar thing
, but they're a couple yearsahead in the process.
From where you're at, they'veunlocked something.
All of a sudden you're havingconversations that are more
meaningful at the table and it'snot that you're talking to a
competitor, you're talking to apeer, you're talking to someone
(13:54):
who has often empathy for yourjourney and you're finding
solutions for your ownsituations that are really
important to dialogue.
Would you add anything to that?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (14:05):
I would say just that, absolutely
yes.
You could see by my repeatednods there that I do agree with
what you're saying, um, but thateverybody I would say that I
interact with has found successin their own regard.
And not everybody shares thesame strikes, and boy, I know
from experience it takeshumility to say this is my area
of weakness and I could use somehelp.
You know that that's hard to do, but I think as a network, when
(14:29):
members in network, when theybuild those relationships doing
some fun things, they get toknow one another Right.
Then they start to identify wholeaders are.
Within our area.
You go on a shop tour and yousee what somebody specializes in
or what their niche is, andthen you know that genuine
relationship can really beutilized to solve some real life
(14:49):
business issues or problems.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (14:51):
You know, we get so siloed when
we're in an industry.
We just know how our companydoes it and how we're going to
approach things and we mightlisten to a podcast or two, but
it's a whole different thing tosit and talk with someone who
can actually talk about how theyturn the page.
It's not just they told you thesuccess story but you didn't
get to hear about the strugglealong the way to the success.
(15:12):
You actually get to go back andforth with something and with
someone locally in your marketand I think that there's a lot
of incredible value to that forour community and for shop
owners.
I actually do something throughCircle of Five where we have a
free monthly peer advisory groupwhere I invite people to come
and I'll share a little bit ofleadership content and then
(15:34):
we'll have some open dialogueand ultimately we wrap up the
session with what we call thehot seat where one person can
just maybe a couple people canshare some of the dynamics
they're dealing with and we havethis open dialogue about hey,
here are some questions toconsider and have you done this
and what was going on in yourmind through that process?
How do you take care of yourselfand what I have found is the
(15:58):
community is so passionate abouttheir people and once one
person is just willing to say Ineed help, everyone else just
seems to kind of fall in andjust say you know what?
I want to be a part of thatsolution and I've got something
I'd like to share too.
It's really, it's neat whenyou're among peers and so many
(16:21):
industries have professionalassociations that they identify
with and they're all a part ofthis association.
Sometimes tooling and machiningorganizations get really siloed
, like we can't interact withanyone else.
But I think one other thing I'dsay it's not unusual for
someone to pull out a phone andsay hey, I have a job I'm
needing done.
Would you be willing to give mea quote?
(16:42):
And and people are meetingprofessionals because maybe
their plate's too full in thisseason or they need a specialty
thing that your shop can do.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (16:50):
And people argue, or you know,
something happens and a machinegoes down I'd say that's pretty
a common occurrence as well, andthey still need to get orders
out.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (16:59):
Or you lose.
You lost some talent.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (17:01):
Yeah .
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (17:02):
And you've got to get this machining
done and you don't have a guywho can do it.
That was able to do it sixmonths ago and, yeah, you
collaborate in that regard.
I love it and it's beenfascinating for me just in the
time that I've been associatedwith MTMA just to see the
collectivism of that, wherewe're trying to help one another
be successful Super cool stuff.
(17:24):
So thank you for yourleadership in that, and I think
that your disposition isbecoming the personality of the
community, meaning that peopleare more connectors now than
just coming and sitting insilence, and so if you're a
person, that you're like man,that's too much peopling All
(17:44):
right, I don't know if I canhandle that much peopling.
You know I want to encouragepeople come on out and check out
an upcoming event and peoplearen't going to ask.
Encourage people, come on outand check out an upcoming event
and people aren't going to askyou your social security number
and they're not going to go realdeep and personal if you're not
wanting to.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (17:57):
They might be ITAR, you know,
certified, so you might have toshow an ID.
But that's probably about it.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (18:03):
It might be certain credentials
required, but yeah, so let me,um, let me ask you this.
One of the things that we hearover and over again is the
employment issue is a crisis.
We go back to just less than 10years ago.
The birth rates started gettinglower than the death rates and
(18:25):
we weren't replacing people inthe job market for the years to
come.
And then we've got financialissues and we've got people that
seem to not wanna go to work asmuch as they have in the past.
Every industry is strugglingwith staffing, and you have
talked about that's.
(18:46):
One of your initiatives is toraise up young people to come
into this industry.
I'd love your insights on wherethe industry needs to invest in
order to either retain talent,because I think there's some
people that are getting out ofthe industry or to recruit new
talent.
Just a few thoughts on that, ifyou don't mind.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (19:07):
Sure , I mean, I think, honestly, we
can invest anywhere in any age,you know.
And yes, we have focused a loton the career tech ed programs,
just because I know that theyhave very similar goals for
their students who are workforcebound, seeing them placed in
careers with opportunities forgrowth.
And I'm going to be honest,that was an easy transition for
me.
I still think like a teacher.
So, as I, you know, took onthis role.
(19:28):
That was kind of a first step.
So, as I, you know, took onthis role, that was kind of a
first step.
But, you know, we could belooking at those that have
completed a career in themilitary and they're coming back
to civilian life.
We explored what it is like towork with individuals who are
coming out of incarceration,second chance employment.
(19:49):
I think we could focus there, Ithink, seeking to empower and
educate females and draw theminto our workforce, our minority
population as well.
Throughout Kansas City, I thinkthat there are a large number
of groups that want to come andwork, and even our young adults,
you know, and I think sometimestheir mindset is just a little
bit different, and it's not thatthey aren't motivated and don't
(20:10):
want the job.
We just need to reach themwhere they're at, and I think
that is something that asbusiness owners, decision makers
, we've talked about overcoming.
You know, we all kind of scoffat the way our young adults
behave or the things thatthey're requiring or seeking,
but ultimately, the bottom lineit is what it is, and we've got
to change how we are doingthings to meet people where
(20:32):
they're at age experience,whatever that may be.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (20:36):
And you kind of lead into one of my
passion points on this,catherine, and I'll be very
brief on this, but I think weneed to invest in a better way
in our middle level leaders,because those are the people
that manage the people that arecoming in, and if they are all
about me and what I want andthat type of thing, instead of
about the organization, how dowe collectively accomplish
(20:58):
something as a team?
The majority of people leavetheir jobs because they hate
their supervisor, and if we caninvest more intentionally in
shaping our mid-level leaders, Ithink we're going to improve
our retention rate, becausepeople are going to feel valued
and heard and part of a teamrather than just controlled by a
boss, and I think we canstrategically improve in that
(21:21):
regard as well.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (21:22):
Yeah , absolutely yeah.
That's something we'rediscussing with SheLead this
coming week and looking at howyou can define status to create
positive power and influence.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (21:33):
Yeah , tell me more about SheLead,
okay.
Katherine O'Toole w/ K (21:36):
SheLeads .
Women Driving Manufacturing isan initiative that we just
started.
Really, when we look at thegreatest minority in
manufacturing, very often it'sfemales, and I'm sure that
anyone listening could probablyattest to that, as they think,
you know, not even necessarilyabout their office staff, but
out onto the shop floor, right.
So this group is for anybodythat works in and around
(21:59):
manufacturing.
Again, we want to retain topfemale talent and we would love
ladies in manufacturing to beable to do all of the things
that our owners and decisionmakers are at our events, have a
professional network to seekadvice from, to seek just
mentorship, guidance, that typeof thing.
But yeah, it's been great sofar.
(22:21):
We're excited.
We have a great speaker comingup next week.
Lindsay Howerton is gonna speakto us on positive mindset.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of (22:28):
That's awesome, hey, so this has been
great.
Thank you for introducing usmore to MTMA.
I wanna respect your time, butI want to do what I call rapid
feed round, all right.
I'm just going to give you afew questions and you just give
me your first response.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (22:43):
Just one word.
It's a one word response.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (22:45):
You can give one sentence.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (22:46):
I won't hold you to one word.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (22:48):
Okay , question number one If you go
to a Chiefs football game withany famous person, who would you
go with?
Oh gosh, that's a tough one,I'm not good at famous people,
famous to you, it doesn't haveto matter to anybody else.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (23:10):
Ryan .
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (23:10):
I didn't know you were going to
stump me here.
Okay, come back to that one.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (23:16):
What do you think the greatest
threat to manufacturing?
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (23:19):
is right now.
Failure to accept technology.
Okay, I love it.
What's one tool in yourleadership tool belt you
couldn't live without?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (23:29):
One tool in my leadership tool An
ability to listen.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (23:36):
I love that.
That is a great tool, I feellike I'm pausing too long.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (23:39):
This is not rapid fire.
You're doing great.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (23:42):
This is awesome.
Let's see.
Are you a coffee, energy drinkor something else to get going
after that early morning?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (23:49):
Oh, I'm a multiple beverage person.
I love all the drinks.
So, yes, iced tea, diet, Cokediet, Pepsi water, flavored
water, you name it.
I probably got it out around meat some some point of the day.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (24:02):
I love it.
So last question before we comeback to the chief's question uh
, if you could master any skillinstantly, what would you choose
?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (24:18):
any skill instantly.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (24:19):
What would you choose, I think
before I speak always that'sawesome.
And now we'll go back to the.
If you could go to the Chiefsfootball game with a famous
person, who would you want to goto it with?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (24:29):
Well , I guess I'm going to have to
say Taylor Swift, so I can livethe sweet life and, you know,
get a behind the scenes tour ofthe stadium.
So not that I'm a Swifty by anymeans, but that's the best
answer I have.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (24:41):
I love it.
I love it.
Hey, before we wrap up, I'mcurious is there any question
that you wished?
I would have asked you Anythingthat you'd wanted to talk about
.
That we didn't get to yet.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (24:54):
What has went well for me this year
within TMA maybe.
I'd love to hear that, so I'mgoing to ask what's gone well
for you at KCM, I would saybuilding relationships with
owners and decision makers andkind of establishing my role as
an association leader.
And kind of establishing myrole as an association leader.
I think that was difficult atfirst, to be seen as credible
(25:17):
and be seen as someone that doesthings with a purpose.
And I think that the biggerpicture is unfolding and I think
that others share my vision.
I think I've been able tocommunicate it and I think that
has brought me a lot of personal, just feelings of success.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (25:34):
You know what?
One other thing I want tomention, just because I've
learned some of your journey howimportant is a great board to a
great nonprofit organization?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (25:42):
Oh, it is absolutely essential.
Yes, and I'm very thankful tothe board of directors that I've
worked with this year and veryexcited to welcome five new
members, six new members thiscoming year, to that board.
So yeah, Outstanding.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (25:55):
Hey, you've done some amazing stuff
and I'm thankful for thecollaboration that Circle of
Five has been able to developwith KCNTMA.
If someone wants to check outyour resources, kcntmaorg.
And if they want to check outany of my resources,
circleoffivecoachingcom.
And if they want to check outany of my resources,
circleoffivecoachingcom.
And anything.
(26:16):
As we wrap up, what's the mostimportant thing?
You want to leave people withSomething we've already
discussed.
Maybe you haven't said it yet,but what would you just like to?
Katherine O'Toole w/ (26:26):
reinforce as we say goodbye to our
audience today.
Most often that, I would say,success is not found in
isolation, it's found within acommunity, and you're always
going to have a greater abilityto tackle problems with a group
approach, right, and I just wantto invite anybody that's
listening to find a group, tofind an association, regardless
of what your industry might be.
But at KCMTMA, you know, wewould love to welcome
(26:49):
like-minded professionals whowant to work together.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circ (26:51):
Outstanding .
Hey, you've been awesome.
Thanks for giving up some timetoday and thanks for all you do.
Brian, thanks for having me.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (26:56):
Yes , I cannot wait to hear the
other leaders and who they'rebringing to the Chiefs game.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle o (27:00):
Awesome , all right.
Thanks, catherine.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNT (27:01):
Thank you.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle o (27:02):
Bye-bye .
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (27:03):
Bye .
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of (27:05):
There you have it.
That was Catherine.
She phenomenal job.
Like I said, she is full ofenergy, full of passion.
If you're interested inlearning more about KCNTMA, go
to kcntmaorg and you can checkout what services they provide.
And Catherine would love toconnect.
You heard her talk and shewould love to meet up with you,
(27:26):
learn about where you're goingand see if there's some
potential for collaborationthere.
If you'd like to learn moreabout what Circle of Five
Coaching can do for yourorganization, whether it's
develop your leadership team,invest in your mid-level leaders
, train up your new supervisorlevel leaders so that they
understand the people side ofproduction, let's connect.
(27:46):
Feel free to reach out to me atcircleoffivecoachingcom.
I would be glad to connect.
But thanks for checking outthis episode.
Be sure to check out the nextepisode where I interview Fred
from Ultratech Aerospace, andyou're gonna enjoy his
conversation as well.
Hey manufacturers, I am so excited
that you chose to check out thispodcast.
This is a manufacturingintelligence podcast where we
talk about leading people inproduction and this is the
inaugural episode and I am justthrilled to bring it to you.
For this initial episode, Idecided who better to bring into
the conversation than CatherineO'Toole.
(00:22):
She's the executive directorfor the National Tooling and
Machining Association of theKansas City chapter, and
Catherine is just high energy,passionate about what we're
doing, and she has really beenbuilding this network in a
powerful way, and it's such anhonor for me to be partnering
with the network and providingthis podcast.
So pay attention to Catherine'spassion, her energy and her
(00:44):
desire to really invest in thiscommunity, not only for today
but for future generations.
And here's some of the waysthat she's innovating in
building bridges in theeducation space, among women in
the industry and amongbusinesses in the industry.
Check this out.
You will thoroughly enjoyCatherine's vision for the
organization and her love forthe industry.
(01:06):
And if you are watching this onYouTube and you want to listen
to it on podcast, feel free togo to your favorite podcast
source and look us up there.
If you're watching this orlistening to this and you want
to see Catherine and I interactin this video.
You can watch it on theirYouTube channel.
So thanks so much for joiningus, enjoy this episode and let's
(01:26):
continue to build manufacturingin Kansas City.
Hey everyone, it is an excitingthing for me to just invite you
or welcome you to theManufacturing Intelligence
Podcast and and we are justreally excited for this
conversation about talking aboutleading people in production.
(01:49):
And this is our inauguralepisode and it's in partnership
with the NTMA of Kansas City andwe have a great partnership and
I'm really excited about wherethis is going.
And this kind of came out ofthe vision that we had for what
can we do to serve the NTMAcommunity as well as just using
some of the things that I haveto bring to the table through
(02:11):
being a coach and a consultantand stuff, and so we partnered
together to do this and Ithought it would be a wonderful
way to kick things off by havingthe executive director of not
only the National Tooling andMachining Association of Kansas
City chapter as well as the BOTSKC executive director.
I'm going to welcome CatherineO'Toole.
(02:33):
Catherine, welcome to thepodcast.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (02:36):
Hey , thanks for having me.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of (02:38):
Thank you for joining me.
I know that you are a busy,busy woman these days.
You're juggling a lot of thingsand you're doing some amazing
things.
So let's just start by helpingpeople understand the roles you
play.
You work with both MTMA ofKansas City Chapter or Kansas
City Chapter of MTMA, and thenBotskacy.
(02:58):
Tell me a little bit about bothof those organizations.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (03:01):
Okay , Well, these are both
not-for-profit associations.
With the NTMA, I would say ourprimary goals or focuses kind of
center around networking andworkforce development and then
also some advocacy there at thenational level, and my role with
Botskacy ties right on in verymutual synergies as far as
(03:24):
workforce development goes.
So that program is aboutexposing young adults, teenagers
, high school students, to allof the viable careers in
manufacturing through designing,engineering and then building
and competing BattleBots.
So, I am working very hard topartner.
We have 30 schools or teamsparticipating this year with
(03:47):
some of our local shops, and wehave, I believe, just out of
half dozen of our local memberssupporting Bots KC and helping
mentor our team this year.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (03:55):
So there's some great synergy
between the two organizations.
Katherine O'Toole w/ (03:59):
Absolutely .
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (04:00):
And some of that aligns really well
with just who you are.
You've got a background ineducation, is that correct?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (04:05):
Yep , that is true.
I was an elementary teacher forover a decade.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (04:09):
All right.
So tell me about that journeythat you went on to go from
elementary education intoexecutive director of a
manufacturing association.
Tell me a little bit about howyou found this in your current
reality.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (04:28):
Well , my dad owned a tool and dye
shop Inland Tool.
So I grew up helping him notonly in the office but also in
his shop.
So I would say I definitelypreferred working in the shop
than doing paper filing, whichwas the go-to method at that
time.
So I kind of grew up in andaround industry.
It was always a favorite for mewhen my dad sold scrap because
he had some cash and I might beable to get a little some of
(04:51):
that to do something fun.
But I feel like just throughthat experience and my dad's
actual involvement with NTMA, myname was put out there for this
role of executive director.
I had been approached onceabout filling the position and
timing wasn't executive director.
I had been approached onceabout filling the position and
timing wasn't just right.
I had left teaching at the time.
It was right, I was working ina construction office and I had
(05:12):
been there for about three years.
That's where I really had myfirst go around with business
and you know it, just it seemedlike a good fit, accepted the
position and, man, it's reallygrown now from what was
definitely a part-time job tosomething that is definitely on
the side of full-time plus nowwith all of the different
initiatives we have going on.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (05:32):
Yeah .
So listen, you and I areconnected on LinkedIn and I see
you having coffee with industryleaders left and right on
LinkedIn and I see you visitingthis school and that company and
having board meetings and stuff.
So you're kind of all over theplace and I think that's just
(05:53):
how you're wired.
You're a go-getter, you getthings done.
But tell me, why are youmeeting with school district
leaders and why are you meetingwith business owners?
What's the ask of people thatyou're meeting with at any given
appointment?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (06:06):
Well , I'll answer first what I feel
like my main role is and thenI'll get to that ask, because I
think that is really important.
I feel like I'm a connector, soI feel like it is my job to
connect students teachers fromthe career tech ed programs to
our shops, to provide them someknowledge, some exposure about
(06:28):
manufacturing.
And what I have found is that,you know, as a teacher, I know
the many hats that theseindividuals are wearing, but not
often do they have personalexperience with tooling,
machining or really alwaysmanufacturing kind of depending
on the school and the programsavailable, but it's very limited
.
So I think that it is soimportant for us to fill the
(06:50):
workforce pipeline, to bringpeople into the workforce
pipeline.
They have to know what jobs areavailable.
Parents have to know the viablecareer options and they're not
going to be able to support itotherwise and teachers can't
advise something that they knowyou know nothing about.
So my ask, I guess, would be youknow we all recognize that
(07:11):
workforce development is aproblem.
It's been a focus of ourassociation all year.
But what are you really doingto be a part of that solution?
Are you serving as a mentor fora bots KC team?
Are you hosting groups of youththrough your shop, field trips
or even externships for adultsin the community?
Are you evolved on an advisoryboard where you can provide your
(07:33):
opinion to the teachers thatreally need it?
As far as what is important toindustry, where are the gaps
when students transition, excuseme, from a school to workforce?
There's just a lot of practicalways that individuals can
become involved and all you haveto do is ask me, because I will
help you find the way I postabout them a lot.
(07:53):
I email about them a lot andagain, as that connector, that's
why I'm meeting with all ofthese individuals, because they
really do go together.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (08:02):
So really your heart for education
and your natural ability toconnect kind of drives how you
lead the organization, becauseyou can connect existing entity
with people, raising up newworkforce people and bring them
together.
Is that a fair way of sayingthat?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (08:17):
Well , sure, yes, and absolutely, I
would say all of our members.
They want to do more businessright, they want to be able to
fulfill more orders, they wantto be able to grow, and they
can't do that without moreemployees and we are seeing a
large number of individualsaging out of the workforce.
Who's going to fill thesepositions so that you can do
more business right?
And I think it's beenincredibly important.
(08:39):
And the more business we do,the more business we drive into
Kansas City, the more known webecome as a manufacturing hub.
So it's all very cyclical.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (08:48):
So there's a few ways that I want
to go out of that.
I want to first of all justexplore this idea with you,
because I find it fascinating.
You talk about being aconnector.
One of the companies, one of myclients, is an NTMA member, and
one of their individuals justsaid hey, ryan, I need you to
connect with Catherine.
(09:08):
And he actually connected usand invited you and I to meet up
for lunch and we got to knoweach other.
I got to understand more ofyour story and then, from there,
you immediately said hey, I'vegot a meeting with this person.
Would you like to come meetwith me there and connect it
there?
Let's talk to your existingmembers for a moment.
How can they be voices to helpother industry leaders be a part
(09:32):
of NTMA?
What can they do to connect youwith some of their colleagues
who may not have chosen to be apart of this community yet?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (09:42):
Well , I think that's what I spent a
lot of this year working on wascreating events that members
want to attend.
So it took a great deal of timejust getting out into shops,
getting to know my members andnot just an owner or president,
but trying to get into multiplelayers of who you know exists
(10:02):
and help support the dailyoperations of a shop.
But number one we had to getpeople to come to events.
Number two, we had to getpeople to talk about those
events and why they weremeaningful and then invite
others.
So very often that was aquestion I asked my board.
You know who are you doingbusiness with that is great to
work with.
I would love to meet them.
(10:23):
I would love to know about whythey are successful and who are
you not doing business with thatyou would like to.
That we could draw into ournetwork and let them know all of
the opportunities there are,you know, to partner with other
machine shops tooling, you know,facilities, fabricators just
here locally.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circ (10:39):
Outstanding .
So two questions to follow upon that conversation.
Number one I want you to talkabout the events and then I'm
going to follow up after youtalk about some of the events
that you have.
Um, I'm going to talk a littlebit about, um, why someone would
come to those events.
We'll we'll break that open,but first tell me about your,
your shop visits, your speednetworking, some of those types
(11:00):
of events that you have okay.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (11:01):
well , yeah, I would say it's a hard
job making people happy, ryan,especially when people want
events in the morning.
People want events over.
People only want to come toevents after hours.
People prefer a Friday.
People don't like a Fridaybecause that cuts too close to
family time.
Nobody wants a Monday, butsometimes there's, you know,
availability on a Monday.
You know it is really hard.
(11:22):
So, um, trying to offer thingsat a variety of locations, both
on the Kansas side and theMissouri side, different times
of day.
Um, maybe there's lunch, maybeit's a happy hour.
We tried a family event.
We had a Mavericks hockey nightthis year.
I would say the greatestchallenge for me is thinking
about things that gentlemenwould like to attend.
At this point of time we have avery male-dominated population
(11:48):
within the Kansas City chapterof the NTMA, but we're working
on that.
But trying to think of thingsthat sound fun, sound unique.
I get great suggestions fromassociate members.
Jarvo sponsored a night at theFoley Warehouse.
Again, thankful to FederatedInsurance for their sponsorship,
not only at the hockey night,but stand up shuffleboard at the
(12:09):
maiden location, yeah, and then, of course, all of our shops
that open their doors for shoptours, for their sponsorship,
not only at the hockey night,but stand up shuffleboard at the
maiden location, yeah.
And then, of course, all of ourshops that open their doors for
shop tours.
I know that's difficult becauseessentially you're welcoming
your competitors to come righton into your shop, look at your
processes, maybe even get asneak peek of who you're sending
things to or who you're makingsomething for.
What's coming through your line, you know.
But I think that the membersthat have done it do so with a
(12:31):
greater vision of.
We are so proud of what we do.
We know we make our customershappy.
We'd love to showcase ourprocesses because we've worked
hard to establish them and wewant to do more business.
So everybody come check outwhat we're doing, and I would
say those shop tours are memberfavorites definitely.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (12:48):
You know, in people there's this
scarcity mindset that a lot ofpeople have.
Like man, why would I want tosit at the table with a
competitor?
Why would I let someone elsesee my shop and stuff?
You kind of hinted on that andyou know that's an interesting
conversation that we're havingand, honestly, if we're scarcity
mindset oriented, as a shopowner, this may not be the
(13:11):
organization for you althoughwe'd love to have you experience
and break down some of thoseassumptions.
But I think that a lot of thatscarcity mindset, what people
don't understand is theopportunity that's created in
the mindset, because when youcollectively unite to bring
people together for initiativeslike advocacy, raising up
workforce and havingconversations about man, I keep
(13:34):
having employee turnover and allof a sudden you're sitting
across the table with someonewho's dealt with a similar thing
, but they're a couple yearsahead in the process.
From where you're at, they'veunlocked something.
All of a sudden you're havingconversations that are more
meaningful at the table and it'snot that you're talking to a
competitor, you're talking to apeer, you're talking to someone
(13:54):
who has often empathy for yourjourney and you're finding
solutions for your ownsituations that are really
important to dialogue.
Would you add anything to that?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (14:05):
I would say just that, absolutely
yes.
You could see by my repeatednods there that I do agree with
what you're saying, um, but thateverybody I would say that I
interact with has found successin their own regard.
And not everybody shares thesame strikes, and boy, I know
from experience it takeshumility to say this is my area
of weakness and I could use somehelp.
You know that that's hard to do, but I think as a network, when
(14:29):
members in network, when theybuild those relationships doing
some fun things, they get toknow one another Right.
Then they start to identify wholeaders are.
Within our area.
You go on a shop tour and yousee what somebody specializes in
or what their niche is, andthen you know that genuine
relationship can really beutilized to solve some real life
(14:49):
business issues or problems.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (14:51):
You know, we get so siloed when
we're in an industry.
We just know how our companydoes it and how we're going to
approach things and we mightlisten to a podcast or two, but
it's a whole different thing tosit and talk with someone who
can actually talk about how theyturn the page.
It's not just they told you thesuccess story but you didn't
get to hear about the strugglealong the way to the success.
(15:12):
You actually get to go back andforth with something and with
someone locally in your marketand I think that there's a lot
of incredible value to that forour community and for shop
owners.
I actually do something throughCircle of Five where we have a
free monthly peer advisory groupwhere I invite people to come
and I'll share a little bit ofleadership content and then
(15:34):
we'll have some open dialogueand ultimately we wrap up the
session with what we call thehot seat where one person can
just maybe a couple people canshare some of the dynamics
they're dealing with and we havethis open dialogue about hey,
here are some questions toconsider and have you done this
and what was going on in yourmind through that process?
How do you take care of yourselfand what I have found is the
(15:58):
community is so passionate abouttheir people and once one
person is just willing to say Ineed help, everyone else just
seems to kind of fall in andjust say you know what?
I want to be a part of thatsolution and I've got something
I'd like to share too.
It's really, it's neat whenyou're among peers and so many
(16:21):
industries have professionalassociations that they identify
with and they're all a part ofthis association.
Sometimes tooling and machiningorganizations get really siloed
, like we can't interact withanyone else.
But I think one other thing I'dsay it's not unusual for
someone to pull out a phone andsay hey, I have a job I'm
needing done.
Would you be willing to give mea quote?
(16:42):
And and people are meetingprofessionals because maybe
their plate's too full in thisseason or they need a specialty
thing that your shop can do.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (16:50):
And people argue, or you know,
something happens and a machinegoes down I'd say that's pretty
a common occurrence as well, andthey still need to get orders
out.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (16:59):
Or you lose.
You lost some talent.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (17:01):
Yeah .
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (17:02):
And you've got to get this machining
done and you don't have a guywho can do it.
That was able to do it sixmonths ago and, yeah, you
collaborate in that regard.
I love it and it's beenfascinating for me just in the
time that I've been associatedwith MTMA just to see the
collectivism of that, wherewe're trying to help one another
be successful Super cool stuff.
(17:24):
So thank you for yourleadership in that, and I think
that your disposition isbecoming the personality of the
community, meaning that peopleare more connectors now than
just coming and sitting insilence, and so if you're a
person, that you're like man,that's too much peopling All
(17:44):
right, I don't know if I canhandle that much peopling.
You know I want to encouragepeople come on out and check out
an upcoming event and peoplearen't going to ask.
Encourage people, come on outand check out an upcoming event
and people aren't going to askyou your social security number
and they're not going to go realdeep and personal if you're not
wanting to.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (17:57):
They might be ITAR, you know,
certified, so you might have toshow an ID.
But that's probably about it.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (18:03):
It might be certain credentials
required, but yeah, so let me,um, let me ask you this.
One of the things that we hearover and over again is the
employment issue is a crisis.
We go back to just less than 10years ago.
The birth rates started gettinglower than the death rates and
(18:25):
we weren't replacing people inthe job market for the years to
come.
And then we've got financialissues and we've got people that
seem to not wanna go to work asmuch as they have in the past.
Every industry is strugglingwith staffing, and you have
talked about that's.
(18:46):
One of your initiatives is toraise up young people to come
into this industry.
I'd love your insights on wherethe industry needs to invest in
order to either retain talent,because I think there's some
people that are getting out ofthe industry or to recruit new
talent.
Just a few thoughts on that, ifyou don't mind.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (19:07):
Sure , I mean, I think, honestly, we
can invest anywhere in any age,you know.
And yes, we have focused a loton the career tech ed programs,
just because I know that theyhave very similar goals for
their students who are workforcebound, seeing them placed in
careers with opportunities forgrowth.
And I'm going to be honest,that was an easy transition for
me.
I still think like a teacher.
So, as I, you know, took onthis role.
(19:28):
That was kind of a first step.
So, as I, you know, took onthis role, that was kind of a
first step.
But, you know, we could belooking at those that have
completed a career in themilitary and they're coming back
to civilian life.
We explored what it is like towork with individuals who are
coming out of incarceration,second chance employment.
(19:49):
I think we could focus there, Ithink, seeking to empower and
educate females and draw theminto our workforce, our minority
population as well.
Throughout Kansas City, I thinkthat there are a large number
of groups that want to come andwork, and even our young adults,
you know, and I think sometimestheir mindset is just a little
bit different, and it's not thatthey aren't motivated and don't
(20:10):
want the job.
We just need to reach themwhere they're at, and I think
that is something that asbusiness owners, decision makers
, we've talked about overcoming.
You know, we all kind of scoffat the way our young adults
behave or the things thatthey're requiring or seeking,
but ultimately, the bottom lineit is what it is, and we've got
to change how we are doingthings to meet people where
(20:32):
they're at age experience,whatever that may be.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (20:36):
And you kind of lead into one of my
passion points on this,catherine, and I'll be very
brief on this, but I think weneed to invest in a better way
in our middle level leaders,because those are the people
that manage the people that arecoming in, and if they are all
about me and what I want andthat type of thing, instead of
about the organization, how dowe collectively accomplish
(20:58):
something as a team?
The majority of people leavetheir jobs because they hate
their supervisor, and if we caninvest more intentionally in
shaping our mid-level leaders, Ithink we're going to improve
our retention rate, becausepeople are going to feel valued
and heard and part of a teamrather than just controlled by a
boss, and I think we canstrategically improve in that
(21:21):
regard as well.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (21:22):
Yeah , absolutely yeah.
That's something we'rediscussing with SheLead this
coming week and looking at howyou can define status to create
positive power and influence.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (21:33):
Yeah , tell me more about SheLead,
okay.
Katherine O'Toole w/ K (21:36):
SheLeads .
Women Driving Manufacturing isan initiative that we just
started.
Really, when we look at thegreatest minority in
manufacturing, very often it'sfemales, and I'm sure that
anyone listening could probablyattest to that, as they think,
you know, not even necessarilyabout their office staff, but
out onto the shop floor, right.
So this group is for anybodythat works in and around
(21:59):
manufacturing.
Again, we want to retain topfemale talent and we would love
ladies in manufacturing to beable to do all of the things
that our owners and decisionmakers are at our events, have a
professional network to seekadvice from, to seek just
mentorship, guidance, that typeof thing.
But yeah, it's been great sofar.
(22:21):
We're excited.
We have a great speaker comingup next week.
Lindsay Howerton is gonna speakto us on positive mindset.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of (22:28):
That's awesome, hey, so this has been
great.
Thank you for introducing usmore to MTMA.
I wanna respect your time, butI want to do what I call rapid
feed round, all right.
I'm just going to give you afew questions and you just give
me your first response.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (22:43):
Just one word.
It's a one word response.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (22:45):
You can give one sentence.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (22:46):
I won't hold you to one word.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (22:48):
Okay , question number one If you go
to a Chiefs football game withany famous person, who would you
go with?
Oh gosh, that's a tough one,I'm not good at famous people,
famous to you, it doesn't haveto matter to anybody else.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (23:10):
Ryan .
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (23:10):
I didn't know you were going to
stump me here.
Okay, come back to that one.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (23:16):
What do you think the greatest
threat to manufacturing?
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (23:19):
is right now.
Failure to accept technology.
Okay, I love it.
What's one tool in yourleadership tool belt you
couldn't live without?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (23:29):
One tool in my leadership tool An
ability to listen.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (23:36):
I love that.
That is a great tool, I feellike I'm pausing too long.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (23:39):
This is not rapid fire.
You're doing great.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (23:42):
This is awesome.
Let's see.
Are you a coffee, energy drinkor something else to get going
after that early morning?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (23:49):
Oh, I'm a multiple beverage person.
I love all the drinks.
So, yes, iced tea, diet, Cokediet, Pepsi water, flavored
water, you name it.
I probably got it out around meat some some point of the day.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (24:02):
I love it.
So last question before we comeback to the chief's question uh
, if you could master any skillinstantly, what would you choose
?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (24:18):
any skill instantly.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (24:19):
What would you choose, I think
before I speak always that'sawesome.
And now we'll go back to the.
If you could go to the Chiefsfootball game with a famous
person, who would you want to goto it with?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (24:29):
Well , I guess I'm going to have to
say Taylor Swift, so I can livethe sweet life and, you know,
get a behind the scenes tour ofthe stadium.
So not that I'm a Swifty by anymeans, but that's the best
answer I have.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (24:41):
I love it.
I love it.
Hey, before we wrap up, I'mcurious is there any question
that you wished?
I would have asked you Anythingthat you'd wanted to talk about
.
That we didn't get to yet.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTM (24:54):
What has went well for me this year
within TMA maybe.
I'd love to hear that, so I'mgoing to ask what's gone well
for you at KCM, I would saybuilding relationships with
owners and decision makers andkind of establishing my role as
an association leader.
And kind of establishing myrole as an association leader.
I think that was difficult atfirst, to be seen as credible
(25:17):
and be seen as someone that doesthings with a purpose.
And I think that the biggerpicture is unfolding and I think
that others share my vision.
I think I've been able tocommunicate it and I think that
has brought me a lot of personal, just feelings of success.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (25:34):
You know what?
One other thing I want tomention, just because I've
learned some of your journey howimportant is a great board to a
great nonprofit organization?
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (25:42):
Oh, it is absolutely essential.
Yes, and I'm very thankful tothe board of directors that I've
worked with this year and veryexcited to welcome five new
members, six new members thiscoming year, to that board.
So yeah, Outstanding.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of 5 (25:55):
Hey, you've done some amazing stuff
and I'm thankful for thecollaboration that Circle of
Five has been able to developwith KCNTMA.
If someone wants to check outyour resources, kcntmaorg.
And if they want to check outany of my resources,
circleoffivecoachingcom.
And if they want to check outany of my resources,
circleoffivecoachingcom.
And anything.
(26:16):
As we wrap up, what's the mostimportant thing?
You want to leave people withSomething we've already
discussed.
Maybe you haven't said it yet,but what would you just like to?
Katherine O'Toole w/ (26:26):
reinforce as we say goodbye to our
audience today.
Most often that, I would say,success is not found in
isolation, it's found within acommunity, and you're always
going to have a greater abilityto tackle problems with a group
approach, right, and I just wantto invite anybody that's
listening to find a group, tofind an association, regardless
of what your industry might be.
But at KCMTMA, you know, wewould love to welcome
(26:49):
like-minded professionals whowant to work together.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circ (26:51):
Outstanding .
Hey, you've been awesome.
Thanks for giving up some timetoday and thanks for all you do.
Brian, thanks for having me.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (26:56):
Yes , I cannot wait to hear the
other leaders and who they'rebringing to the Chiefs game.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle o (27:00):
Awesome , all right.
Thanks, catherine.
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNT (27:01):
Thank you.
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle o (27:02):
Bye-bye .
Katherine O'Toole w/ KCNTMA (27:03):
Bye .
Ryan Nelson w/ Circle of (27:05):
There you have it.
That was Catherine.
She phenomenal job.
Like I said, she is full ofenergy, full of passion.
If you're interested inlearning more about KCNTMA, go
to kcntmaorg and you can checkout what services they provide.
And Catherine would love toconnect.
You heard her talk and shewould love to meet up with you,
(27:26):
learn about where you're goingand see if there's some
potential for collaborationthere.
If you'd like to learn moreabout what Circle of Five
Coaching can do for yourorganization, whether it's
develop your leadership team,invest in your mid-level leaders
, train up your new supervisorlevel leaders so that they
understand the people side ofproduction, let's connect.
(27:46):
Feel free to reach out to me atcircleoffivecoachingcom.
I would be glad to connect.
But thanks for checking outthis episode.
Be sure to check out the nextepisode where I interview Fred
from Ultratech Aerospace, andyou're gonna enjoy his
conversation as well.
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