Terri Grover began working in the gas industry 26 years ago. Through her time with Peoples, she’s migrated from Customer Service Rep, to team lead, to Supervisor. During that time, she also attended and graduated from Duquesne University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership.
“Going back to college was a personal goal,” Terri says, “and my job at Peoples gave me that opportunity.”
As an employee, Terri’s goal is to be a role model for others, and it’s her desire to help people be their best that motivates her personally.
“As an employee, “Making Lives Better” means doing the right thing for both the company and the customer,” Terry explains. “Sometimes that means stepping outside the norm to do the right thing. It could require a sacrifice or taking a risk. In the end, I believe no one can argue with going over and beyond what is required to help someone.”
Throughout her career at Peoples, Terri strives to uphold that motto with both employees and customers by respectfully listening to their point of view and acknowledging them.
“Then together we discuss options that are available and how I can assist them,” she adds. “The feeling of knowing that I willingly have done all that is within my power to help them usually ends well.”
Just as Terri is committed to doing everything in her power to help others, she believes that’s an approach that Peoples must continue to take, as well.
“Being a more diverse company allows for a more creative and innovative workforce,” she explains. “Research shows workforce diversity can increase in productivity, employee morale, and causes employees to want to work more effectively and efficiently.”
In our personal lives and professional lives, Terri notes that there is always room for improvement. As we strive to be even more inclusive, that inclusivity must happen at all levels of any business. In her experience, inclusion walks hand in hand with respect.
“Respect one another,” Terri maintains. “You should not be afraid of something or think negatively about someone that you don’t know. Instead, get to know someone that does not look like you.”
“It will be a learning opportunity to say the least,” she adds, “but different perspectives help us to grow. A new understanding can help to dispel the negative stereotypes and personal biases about different races.”
Knowing that Black History Month celebrates the achievements of African Americans and recognizes the central role they’ve played in U.S. history, we asked Terri if there any historical black figures who inspire her.
“There are too many to mention,” she replies. “I am proud of all the black historical figures and their achievements. Doing the right thing was a huge sacrifice. For some, the sacrifice was death.”
“As an African American woman, my history inspired me to take education seriously, and work hard as nothing is given to you,” Terri says. “You earn it. Respect yourself and others. Doing the right thing even when it’s not the popular thing is worth it.”
“Our differences bring value, and together we can do great things,” Terri says.
We couldn’t agree more. And with true leaders like Terri always encouraging others and helping to bring people together, we know that we will continue to affect positive change for our employees and for our communities.