Engineering, Operations, & Emotional Intelligence with Heather Critz

Описание: In this kickoff episode of Inside Out Engineering, Nikki sits down with longtime friend and industrial systems engineer Heather Critz to explore how growing up in rural Alabama shaped Heather’s path into tech consulting and operational excellence. They unpack how emotional intelligence shows up in places we often overlook, why systems engineering is more human than most people think, and how process, communication, and self-awareness intersect in the workplace. It’s a conversation about roots, reinvention, and the hidden EQ behind every “logical” decision engineers make.

In this episode we cover:
Heather’s journey from rural Alabama to a decade in tech consulting
Industrial and systems engineering through the lens of people and process
How EQ quietly drives operations, efficiency, and influence
The misconceptions about what “counts” as engineering
The role upbringing and environment play in how we problem-solve
Learning to adapt communication styles without losing authenticity
How emotional intelligence builds stronger cross-functional teams
Why “soft skills” are actually high-leverage engineering skills
The growing need for human-centered technical leadership
Using process thinking to navigate complexity, conflict, and change

Who this episode is for:
Aspiring engineers, early-career professionals, technical leaders, operations-minded problem-solvers, and anyone curious how emotional intelligence fuels high-performance teams.

Mentions / Themes:
Emotional intelligence in technical fields
Systems thinking
Process excellence
Communication in engineering culture