NATE's Women of NATE focus group is actively addressing critical skill gaps and fostering leadership development across the telecom industry, expanding from a small gathering to an initiative that draws thousands annually to its programs and events.
The Growth of an Inclusive Vision
What began as a small group of women at early NATE events, easily counted on two hands, has transformed into a robust initiative, with thousands of women now attending NATE events annually. Jessica Cobb, owner of MDTS and a NATE board member, described this growth as hard to reconcile with the group's modest beginnings. This expansion is attributed to a strategy focused on "building an extension to the existing table," a self-supporting approach that demonstrated the group's value to the broader association rather than simply asking for recognition. This growth has led to concrete programming, including a 5K fun run at NATE Unite, an annual leadership summit, and a mentorship program that has since expanded association-wide as the NATE Peer Learning Program.
Beyond Gender: A Summit for All Leaders
This year's Women of NATE leadership summit, scheduled for September 17, is designed differently from typical conferences. It emphasizes leadership development and connection through a single, shared journey, with no competing sessions. This structure ensures that all attendees participate in the same experience, fostering deeper engagement. Bessie Garcia, president of Tower Techniques and chairwoman of Women of NATE, along with Jessica Cobb, directly addressed the misconception that an event titled "Women of NATE" is exclusively for women. They assert that better alignment across any team or network leads to superior outcomes, regardless of an individual's title, tenure, or gender. Garcia encouraged all first-time attendees to step outside their comfort zones, introduce themselves to new people, ask questions, and be prepared to bring new ideas back to their companies.
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Lessons in Authentic Leadership
In discussions about pivotal leadership lessons, Cobb challenged the outdated notion that leaders should never admit fault. She argued that authenticity, rather than a facade of perfection, is key to building team trust. "No one respects a leader who is not humble enough to take ownership," she stated, highlighting the importance of leaders being genuine. Garcia shared a personal insight about not needing to possess every answer. She explained that asking questions, initially a source of self-doubt early in her career, evolved into a habit that enhanced her effectiveness and credibility. These lessons underscore the value of transparency and a willingness to learn for crew leads and safety managers aiming to build strong, trusting teams.
No one respects a leader who is not humble enough to take ownership.
Both leaders also shared personal experiences of encouragement and overcoming fear. Cobb recalled meeting industry advocate Jordyn Ladner (MILLERCO) at a NATE Unite conference around 2017 or 2018, noting how a warm welcome made it easier to engage with others. Garcia recounted how encouragement from other women in the group empowered her to speak on an industry panel, turning initial fear into excitement.
Bridging the Skill Gap in a Changing Industry
Cobb identified a significant leadership skill gap that is more pressing today than a decade ago, particularly concerning entry-level workers. With automation, collaboration platforms, and AI tools becoming standard in the field, there's an urgent need to shorten the learning curve for new employees. A lack of experienced employees available for mentorship and apprenticeship roles can lead to technology backfiring, resulting in lower morale and workers resorting to inefficient workarounds when they aren't fully competent with new tools. Cobb emphasized that in-person, hands-on training remains crucial for field technicians, as online modules cannot fully replace this essential component of skill development. For safety managers and crew leads, this highlights the critical need to invest in robust, practical training to ensure new technologies enhance, rather than hinder, safety and efficiency.
Showing Up to Do the Work
Looking ahead, Cobb expressed hope that today's participants in Women of NATE will be the leaders mentoring the next generation in five years. Her advice for getting involved serves as a powerful metaphor: joining NATE, much like joining a gym, doesn't automatically yield results. It requires active participation, showing up, and consistently putting in the effort to achieve personal and professional growth. This call to action applies to everyone in the industry, encouraging continuous engagement in leadership development and mentorship to strengthen the workforce as a whole.
