Engineering, Operations, & Emotional Intelligence with Heather Critz

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. We 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 changeWho 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