When was the last time you heard about change? For Pooja, as a Distribution Manager at Caterpillar, change isn’t just a concept; it’s part of her everyday life.
As a woman in Mechanical Engineering, Pooja was determined to pursue a career in manufacturing. She excelled academically and joined Caterpillar through a rotational training program. But the transition wasn’t as smooth as she imagined; it was one of the first major changes she encountered.
From navigating dynamic work environments to learning new processes in logistics and supply chain, every day brought fresh challenges. Instead of stepping back, Pooja embraced change, pushing beyond her comfort zone and experimenting with new ways to solve problems.
She shares five tips on how to manage change based on her own experience and the pivotal moments that shaped her career:
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Experiment with Innovation: Pooja identified gaps and tried digitizing workflows, adding conveyor systems, and driving efficiency. The experiment worked and helped improve the logistics process.
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Embrace Technology to Drive Change: She introduced Power Platform solutions that replaced manual routines, dashboards, and warehouse operations faster and more effective.
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Build Relationships to Overcome Challenges: Growing up with her grandparents, Pooja learned the value of strong personal relationships early on which came handy in helping her approach “change”.
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Proper learning equals proper transition: For Pooja, learning was the catalyst to adapt change. Without learning new ways of doing things, your processes may become outdated, costing you time and energy.
- Listening to Communicate Better: Facing language barriers in a new state was another significant change Pooja experienced. To overcome this, she relied on active listening to better understand, adapt, and communicate more effectively.
"At Caterpillar, we build a culture of understanding and synergy. I promised my grandparents I’d become the first female global leader from our family. While that’s my long-term mission, I’ve already fulfilled my childhood dream of building a home for my family which was a goal that stayed close to my heart. I’m forever grateful to my leaders, family, and my team for trusting me and supporting me along the way. Every challenge, every transition, and every conversation is an opportunity to grow. By staying curious, embracing change, and listening deeply, I keep expanding my perspective" says Pooja.
