At SME, our mission has always been rooted in advancing manufacturing and supporting the people and organizations that make this industry strong. As we continue to evolve and position SME for the future, it is important that we are equally clear about how we work together to achieve that mission. Our core values define principles that guide our decisions, our relationships, and the way we show up for one another and for the industry we serve. They reflect the culture we are committed to building together. Over the past year, we have taken time to reflect on SME’s legacy, the evolving needs of those we serve, and the future we are working to create. The result is a set of four core values that will guide how we lead, collaborate, and deliver impact.
IntegrityWe Do What’s Right — Every Time What it Means at SME Integrity is the foundation of trust. We act with honesty, transparency, and accountability in every interaction: with one another, our members, and the manufacturing ecosystem. We keep our commitments, communicate openly, and hold ourselves to the same high standards we expect of others. We steward SME’s mission and brand with care, honoring our legacy and public responsibility. Doing the right thing — guided by our shared standards and commitments — is how we operate, lead, and measure success. As leaders, we... Model transparency, fairness, and consistency in decisions and communication. Set clear expectations and follow through on our commitments. Address issues directly and constructively, applying standards equitably. Demonstrate, inspire, and encourage honesty and integrity even when it is difficult. Ensure actions align with SME’s purpose and long-term industry impact. Safeguard SME’s reputation, data, relationships, and voice. As staff, we... Act with urgency in serving SME’s mission without sacrificing quality and accuracy. Communicate openly with honesty and respect, even when perspectives differ. Invite input with openness and use it to improve performance and outcomes. Protect and elevate SME’s reputation through ethical choices and actions. Make choices and take action that strengthen trust with others. Follow through on commitments and take ownership of results. Courageous AmbitionWe Dream Boldly and Act Bravely What it Means at SME Our ambition drives us to aim higher; our courage empowers us to take the first step even when the path is unclear. We embrace boldness, innovation, and smart risk-taking as catalysts for growth. We push boundaries with a sense of urgency, learn from our setbacks, and adapt with resilience, staying true to our purpose as we pursue meaningful impact for manufacturing. As leaders, we... Model innovative thinking and calculated risk-taking. Balance thoughtful investigation and planning with the urgency to act decisively. Invite bold ideas and opinions, creating psychological safety for experimentation. Reward learning and resilience, not just flawless outcomes. Share personal risks, lessons, and failures to normalize courageous ambition. Encourage innovation and smart risk-taking that advances SME’s mission. As staff, we... Take initiative and speak up with ideas and solutions. Execute with a sense of urgency, taking action when progress is needed. View mistakes as opportunities for learning and improvement, not judgment. Embrace change and challenge assumptions and practices. Balance courage with thoughtful decision-making to manage risk. Curious MindsetWe Listen, Learn, and Evolve What it Means at SME We stay humble enough to listen and curious enough to learn — continually evolving ourselves along with the manufacturing ecosystem and one another. Curiosity fuels innovation and progress through a relentless pursuit of learning — asking questions, challenging assumptions, and expanding perspectives. By deepening our understanding and actively exploring, we improve how we collaborate, innovate, and execute. Curiosity is a shared responsibility — grounded in confidence in what we know, humility in what we don’t, and respect for perspectives that expand our understanding. As leaders, we... Lead with an enterprise-wide and market-informed perspective. Ask questions before providing answers or direction, modeling active curiosity. Model humility by acknowledging uncertainty and inviting input from others. Encourage open-minded dialogue and the exploration of new ideas. Provide time, space, and resources for learning, reflection, and healthy dialogue. Embrace feedback and use data to drive continuous improvement. As staff, we... Seek to understand the needs of those we serve, externally and internally. Explore innovative approaches to challenges and opportunities. Openly share insights, lessons learned, and opinions with others. Ask questions that clarify context, uncover root causes, and improve outcomes. Invite feedback, remain open to new ideas, and consider different perspectives. Demonstrate humility by acknowledging what we don’t know and learn from others. Stronger TogetherDriving Collective Impact What it Means at SME SME was founded when 33 tool engineers came together around a shared belief: that by collaborating, they could solve industry challenges no one could tackle alone. That belief still defines us. We know we are stronger when we work together — within SME and across the manufacturing ecosystem around shared outcomes and value. We build collaboration on respect and positive intent, fostering a shared sense of belonging and purpose that extends beyond SME. We align with intention around common goals, value diverse perspectives, and celebrate collective success as the foundation of how we work and lead. As leaders, we... Cultivate One-SME by uniting teams around shared outcomes and customer value. Lead and enable partnerships that solve industry challenges and grow impact. Model inclusive decision-making and cross-functional collaboration. Actively advocate for co-creation and input from diverse perspectives. Recognize and celebrate collective achievements openly and authentically. Demonstrate positive intent, respect, and fairness when navigating conflict. As staff, we... Collaborate with openness, respect, and a willingness to help others succeed. Communicate proactively to stay aligned, transparent, and focused on shared outcomes. Align across SME around shared markets, outcomes, and value creation. Assume positive intent, focus on solutions, and celebrate success. Share information, tools, and knowledge openly to support collective impact.
