More than Just a Number: How Approachable Leaders Shape Career Growth at Nexus
At Nexus, leadership is close enough to know your name, recognize your contributions, and support your growth.
At Nexus Engineering Group, leadership is about more than setting direction. It's about building personal connections and taking the time to know the people behind the work.
As a Mechanical Engineer who has been with Nexus for more than five years, Drew Matthews has experienced firsthand what it means to work at a company where leaders know his name, recognize his contributions, and invest in his growth. That visibility has helped him build confidence, explore new opportunities, and feel connected to the broader organization.
Drew shares how being part of a company where leadership is approachable, engaged, and genuinely knows its people has shaped his experience and reinforced that he's more than just a number.
Tell us about your role at Nexus.
I am a Mechanical Engineer and have been with Nexus for a little over five years. My responsibilities include 3D modeling and developing construction and installation drawings for equipment such as tanks, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, and pumps used in refining, chemical, and energy facilities.
Our Mechanical Department also performs pipe stress analysis and ASME Section VIII, Division 1 calculations. Beyond the technical work, I lead projects and coordinate activities involving equipment. That includes contributing to P&IDs, working with vendors to procure equipment, and reviewing vendor drawings to confirm they meet the client’s standards.
What were your expectations for interacting with leadership when you joined Nexus?
Based on previous experiences, I assumed there would be some separation between leadership and other team members.
That perception began to change during the interview process. I met with the head of Human Resources and leaders from several departments, and my first impression was that everyone was welcoming and kind. After joining the company, there were also opportunities to attend lunches with the president and other team members. It quickly became clear that the divide I expected was not there within the team culture.
What does it mean to work somewhere where leadership knows your name?
It makes you feel like an important part of the team. When engineering leadership knows who you are, understands your contributions, and takes the time to speak with you, you feel more valued.
I see company leaders regularly, whether it is in passing, around the office, or during meetings. I would feel comfortable stopping by someone’s office to ask a question or simply say hello. That accessibility helps create a culture of appreciation.
How has access to engineering leadership influenced your professional growth?
When someone in leadership is willing to speak with you, knows who you are, and shows that they believe in your abilities, it gives you greater confidence in yourself. Feeling recognized and appreciated for the work you do reinforces that your contributions matter and motivates you to continue growing professionally.
That confidence carries into different parts of the job. You become more comfortable speaking up during meetings, talking with clients, and presenting work that you have completed. You know that you have been trusted to do the job, which encourages you to continue developing and taking on more responsibility. It's meaningful to work in an environment where leaders take the time to know you personally and acknowledge the impact you're making rather than feeling like just a number.
Working closely with supportive leaders and asking for feedback has also led to opportunities I may not have received solely within my department. I have been able to explore the various markets we work in and additional engineering disciplines, learn more about the business, and gain exposure to project management activities such as budgeting, scheduling, and estimating.
How does accessible leadership help team members find their career paths?
Having an open line of communication and a collaborative work environment makes it easier to revisit your goals and think about where you want your career to go. You are not necessarily confined to one path or limited to the responsibilities you started with.
When leaders understand your interests and strengths, they can help connect you with educational opportunities, different types of work, or experiences in other disciplines. That support gives you room to branch out, learn more about the company, and discover what you enjoy.
For me, that has included opportunities outside the typical responsibilities of my department. It has given me a broader understanding of how projects and businesses operate.
How does this collaborative work environment affect your day-to-day work?
It creates a more positive and lower-stress environment. If a challenge comes up on a project, I know I can bring it directly to leadership rather than letting the issue remain unresolved.
Strong relationships between team members and leadership make it easier to ask questions, share ideas, and seek guidance as well as create a culture of appreciation. Instead of worrying about whether you should speak up, you can focus on finding the right solution and moving the work forward.
How does leadership’s trust affect accountability and ownership?
There is a level of trust given to you from the beginning. Leadership trusts that they hired the right person to do the job, and you are treated like an adult who can manage that responsibility.
In return, you have to reinforce that trust by completing the work on time and delivering the best quality you can. Having approachable leaders also means you are accountable for using that opportunity. You have to be willing to ask questions, explore new possibilities, and take ownership of the opportunities available to you.
Why does recognition matter?
Knowing that the leadership team understands your contributions makes you feel valued and more confident. It gives you a clearer sense that your work is contributing to something meaningful.
In an environment where leadership feels distant, people may wonder whether their work is seen, whether their name is known, or what their purpose is beyond receiving a paycheck. Recognition and open communication provide another reason to feel connected to your work and the company.
It is not only about receiving praise. It is about knowing that the work you do matters and that the people leading the organization recognize your role in its success.
What would you tell someone working at a much larger firm?
At Nexus, you have the opportunity to work closely with leadership rather than feeling separated by several layers of the organization.
That connection can create more opportunities to be recognized, put yourself forward, and have your work seen. In a much larger company, it may be easier to feel like another number or be passed over for opportunities. Here, leaders are more likely to understand your abilities, interests, and the value you bring.
Those relationships can lead to experiences beyond what would normally be expected within your department and help you build a broader, more rewarding career.
What makes being known as an individual so valuable?
It depends on what you want from your workday and career. Some people may want to come in, keep their heads down, complete their work, and go home. Others want more, including stronger relationships, recognition, new experiences, opportunities to grow their careers, and ways to make a broader contribution.
Being known as an individual creates space for those opportunities. You can lead teams, mentor others, explore new areas of the business, and make an impact even if you are not formally part of leadership.
For me, one of the most meaningful examples is having the trust to pursue something I am passionate about: teaching others and mentoring new hires and interns.
Build a Career Where Your Contributions Are Seen
Accessible leadership can influence much more than workplace communication. It can help professionals build confidence, develop new skills, explore different career paths, and take greater ownership of their work.
At Nexus, team members have opportunities to work directly with leaders, contribute ideas, and expand their experience beyond the traditional boundaries of their roles. As Drew Matthews’ experience demonstrates, being known by leadership can help turn everyday work into a more connected and rewarding career.
Interested in joining a team culture where your voice can be heard and your contributions are valued? Explore current opportunities at Nexus and discover how you can continue growing while making a meaningful impact.
About Nexus Engineering Group
Nexus Engineering Group is a full-service, independent engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCm) firm headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, with offices in Toledo, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Midland, Michigan; and Oak Brook, Illinois. Founded in 2005, Nexus partners closely with clients to support project goals from concept through startup, delivering practical, reliable solutions across the refining, petroleum midstream, chemical, manufacturing, power & energy, and renewables markets.
Nexus integrates engineering, procurement, and construction management services to help clients plan and execute complex projects with confidence. Through close collaboration and a client-first approach, Nexus supports informed decision-making, manages project risk, and delivers practical solutions that enhance safety, reliability, and long-term project value.
