# S2E05 Why W.L. Gore is An Amazing Engineering (& People) Company | Elizabeth Mallett

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2021-02-05
- Length: 58m
- Episode: 5
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-02-05-s2e05-why-w-l-gore-is-an-amazing-engineering-people-company-elizabeth-mallett
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/why-wl-gore-is-an-amazing-company/

## Summary

Elizabeth Mallett, a Supply Chain Manager at W.L. Gore with over 10 years of tenure, contrasts the company's 'Theory Y' culture with her previous 'Theory X' experience at Rocketdyne and Pratt & Whitney. She details Gore's unique organizational structures, including the 'lattice' communication system that bypasses traditional chains of command, the 'sponsor' mentorship program, and the 'contribution and compensation' process where peers rank each other. Mallett explains how these mechanisms foster individual autonomy, direct communication, and self-fulfillment, while also noting challenges like decision-making speed and the risk of associates spreading themselves too thin across ad-hoc teams.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-02-05-s2e05-why-w-l-gore-is-an-amazing-engineering-people-company-elizabeth-mallett#t=0) Introduction and Guest Background
- [4:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-02-05-s2e05-why-w-l-gore-is-an-amazing-engineering-people-company-elizabeth-mallett#t=243) From Aerospace to Gore: Career Transition
- [10:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-02-05-s2e05-why-w-l-gore-is-an-amazing-engineering-people-company-elizabeth-mallett#t=616) The Associate Identity and Sponsorship Program
- [16:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-02-05-s2e05-why-w-l-gore-is-an-amazing-engineering-people-company-elizabeth-mallett#t=1012) Lattice Communication and Flat Structure
- [20:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-02-05-s2e05-why-w-l-gore-is-an-amazing-engineering-people-company-elizabeth-mallett#t=1208) Maslow's Hierarchy and Basic Needs in Manufacturing
- [26:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-02-05-s2e05-why-w-l-gore-is-an-amazing-engineering-people-company-elizabeth-mallett#t=1605) Theory X vs. Theory Y Management Styles
- [31:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-02-05-s2e05-why-w-l-gore-is-an-amazing-engineering-people-company-elizabeth-mallett#t=1915) Ad-Hoc Teams and Problem Solving
- [41:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-02-05-s2e05-why-w-l-gore-is-an-amazing-engineering-people-company-elizabeth-mallett#t=2465) Performance Reviews and Compensation
- [52:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-02-05-s2e05-why-w-l-gore-is-an-amazing-engineering-people-company-elizabeth-mallett#t=3144) Leadership Development and Followership

## Topics

- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- W.L. Gore (company)
- Rocketdyne (company)
- Pratt & Whitney (company)
- DuPont (company)
- Cal Poly (company)
- PTFE (material)
- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [From Employee-Focused to Employee-Owned w/ Ashleigh Walters](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-03-21-from-employee-focused-to-employee-owned-w-ashleigh-walters) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Cultural Idiosyncrasies](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2024-04-03-cultural-idiosyncrasies) (Oxide and Friends)
- [Mr. Leventhal, Come here I want to see you](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2021-05-04-mr-leventhal-come-here-i-want-to-see-you) (Oxide and Friends)
- [How to Lead with Grit and Grace Featuring Ashleigh Walters](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-03-01-how-to-lead-with-grit-and-grace-featuring-ashleigh-walters) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [The Organizational Impact of EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System] w/ Luke and Joel Wittenbraker](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-02-16-the-organizational-impact-of-eos-entrepreneurial-operating-system-w-luke-and-joe) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

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