# S1E55 How Engineers Can Succeed by Broadening Their Knowledge Base | Tom Wilke

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2020-12-11
- Length: 39m
- Episode: 55
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-11-s1e55-how-engineers-can-succeed-by-broadening-their-knowledge-base-tom-wilke

## Summary

Tom Wilke, founder of Positivity Engineering and adjunct professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, discusses his career spanning data storage at Iomega and InPhase Technologies to medical device leadership at Covidien. He emphasizes the importance of broadening engineering knowledge beyond traditional silos, particularly for mechanical engineers who must now understand electronics and software. Wilke shares strategies for motivating cross-functional teams through sincerity, shared purpose, and rigorous process management to successfully launch over 25 products.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-11-s1e55-how-engineers-can-succeed-by-broadening-their-knowledge-base-tom-wilke#t=0) Introduction and Early Influences
- [4:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-11-s1e55-how-engineers-can-succeed-by-broadening-their-knowledge-base-tom-wilke#t=254) Data Storage Career at Iomega and InPhase
- [9:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-11-s1e55-how-engineers-can-succeed-by-broadening-their-knowledge-base-tom-wilke#t=553) Managing Product Transfer at Covidien
- [17:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-11-s1e55-how-engineers-can-succeed-by-broadening-their-knowledge-base-tom-wilke#t=1044) Motivating Teams and Building Trust
- [26:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-11-s1e55-how-engineers-can-succeed-by-broadening-their-knowledge-base-tom-wilke#t=1570) Cross-Cultural Team Building with Japanese Partners
- [30:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-11-s1e55-how-engineers-can-succeed-by-broadening-their-knowledge-base-tom-wilke#t=1838) Interview Techniques and Engineering Education
- [35:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-11-s1e55-how-engineers-can-succeed-by-broadening-their-knowledge-base-tom-wilke#t=2135) Navigating Truth and Information in the Digital Age

## Topics

- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up, large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Iomega (company)
- InPhase Technologies (company)
- Covidien (company)
- Positivity Engineering (company)
- University of Colorado Boulder (other)
- Raspberry Pi (chip)
- Honeywell (company)
- General Electric (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [How Soft Skills Drive High-Impact Engineering Teams w/ Aaron Moncur](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-08-26-how-soft-skills-drive-high-impact-engineering-teams-w-aaron-moncur) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [A First-Generation Product Master Class with Milo Werner, Recorded LIVE at "Build Better 2022" (hosted by Instrumental Inc.)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-04-05-a-first-generation-product-master-class-with-milo-werner-recorded-live-at-build) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Leading by Empowering Your People](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-02-14-leading-by-empowering-your-people) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [When Engineering and Marketing are in Sync w/ Adam Beck and Jeffrey Abell](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-07-02-when-engineering-and-marketing-are-in-sync-w-adam-beck-and-jeffrey-abell) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Creating Manufacturing Environments Where Engineers Can Thrive w/ Josh Tarbutton](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-12-02-creating-manufacturing-environments-where-engineers-can-thrive-w-josh-tarbutton) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

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