I’ve been reflecting recently on my water treatment career—the good, the bad, and, at times, the outwardly ugly. Coming to Watertech changed my perspective on what it means to be part of a winning team with a winning culture. That’s not to say the water treatment industry doesn’t offer great environments to work in—but for me, this was the first time I experienced a place where culture is king, promises are kept, and real change happens because every voice is heard.
As I continue to lead, develop, and carry forward Watertech’s legacy of building a winning culture, I keep coming back to the same question: What makes a winning team?
When you look at high-performing teams—across any industry—there’s usually a clear pattern behind their success. It’s not luck. It’s not talent alone. It’s leadership with purpose, a strong culture, meaningful relationships, and a commitment to training the right way. In the water treatment industry, where reliability, trust, and expertise are critical, these things aren’t optional; they’re foundational.
Strong Leadership Sets the Tone
At Watertech, our leadership team is focused on servant leadership. It’s easy to say but harder to actually live by. Having spent time on other teams throughout my career, I’ve come to understand that my role here is to create and protect a team environment that truly lives out our values. That’s what sets us apart from the competition.
Winning teams have leaders who are clear, consistent, and committed. They don’t micromanage, and they don’t go quiet when things get tough. They show up, set the tone, and give their people the tools to succeed.
In our world, our field reps are trusted to keep customer operations running smoothly, extend asset life, and meet compliance metrics – to name a few. That’s not something we take lightly. Our people are our greatest asset, and when we lead with a servant mindset, we treat them like our customers. The golden rule applies here: lead and treat people the way you’d want to be led and treated. That mindset is powerful – especially when things get hard or uncomfortable.
Culture Is Built on Standards
Culture isn’t about claiming to be “the best” or rewarding effort with a cliché pizza party. It’s about how people treat each other, how seriously they take their responsibilities, and how committed they are to the mission. A winning team doesn’t settle for “good enough.” They hold each other accountable, chase improvement, and celebrate wins the right way – together!
At Watertech, we’ve built our culture around five core values that guide everything we do:
Team-Driven – We work together, win together, and hold each other accountable.
Accountable – We own the result, whether it’s a win or a miss.
Never Satisfied – We’re always looking to get better—for ourselves and our customers.
Professional – We bring a high level of integrity and respect to everything we do.
Work Hard / Have Fun – We show up, put in the effort, and enjoy the ride along the way.
These values aren’t just posters on the wall. They drive our decisions, how we show up each day, and how we treat one another. That’s what creates consistency—and it’s what makes Watertech a great place to work.
Relationships Matter
In this industry, relationships are everything. Customers need partners they can trust, teammates need to have each other’s backs, and partners need to know we’re in it for the long haul. The best teams invest in those relationships daily—through responsiveness, honest communication, and a focus on solving problems, not just selling products!
Training Isn’t Optional
You can’t win without well-trained people. It’s that simple. It doesn’t mean memorizing manuals or passing a quiz. It means hands-on experience, shadowing seasoned professionals, and getting the right coaching right out of the gate.
We don’t just onboard new hires—we build them up. We give them confidence, challenge them to grow, and invest in their long-term success. In a complex industry like water treatment, where every site has unique needs, training isn’t a checkbox—it’s a competitive edge.
The Bottom Line
Winning teams don’t happen by accident. They’re built with intention, discipline, and leadership that leads with a servant leadership mentality. At Watertech, we’re building something special. If that sounds like the kind of organization you want to be a part of—and it fires you up—check out our open careers. We’d love to hear from you!
Mike Spaeth | Sales Manager
Mike has been in water treatment for over 10 years with a proven history of delivering measurable results for customers across complex industrial applications. Mike is focused on hands-on selling, team leadership, and commitment to the success of both clients and employees of Watertech. Watertech brought Mike on-board as Sales Manager in 2023. He strives to create a culture and environment where clients and employees thrive for years to come.