ReCon - REinventive CONtribution

Bev Williams
  • 5.0 (10)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

  ReCon, the podcast made to support women in their 30s to mid 40s in the Construction industry who are navigating significant challenges to maintain momentum on their career path.   ReCon short for Reinventive Contribution is the advanced stage of a woman’s career where women aged 46 & beyond often seek new opportunities for growth and may focus on contributing to their field, Brene Brown calls it …. The gift of Mid-life which I love!   As my gift I want use this pod to share and leverage accumulated expertise by Interviewing successful women within the construction industry in the ReCon stage of their career. They have been there & have Pragmatically Endured through their 30 & 40s & got to the other side. My guests share their lived experiences, challenges, surprises and some golden nuggets to support those women currently in the Pragmatic Endurance phase of their career (30 – mid 40s). They have been there & got to the other side. Although I hope these conversations resonate with anyone at any age because there is so much valuable advice and so many really good pieces of information and that I wish that I'd been given.   For more information on the 3 phases of woman's career please head to the resources section of my website www.breathecoaching.co.uk

Episodes

  1. Episode 5 - Nicola Rutt

    3 DAYS AGO

    Episode 5 - Nicola Rutt

    In this episode of Recon, host Bev Williams engages in a heartfelt conversation with architect Nicola Rutt, who shares her journey in the construction industry and the challenges women face in their careers. With over 20 years of experience, Nicola discusses the rewarding aspects of starting her own architectural practice, Studio Multi, alongside her husband. She emphasises the importance of flexibility, self-care, and setting boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance while leading a team. The discussion also touches on the evolving landscape for women in architecture and the significance of mentorship and networking in fostering growth and opportunities for women in the industry. Throughout the episode, Nicola reflects on her career challenges, including the transition from a large firm to entrepreneurship, and the lessons learned along the way. She highlights the necessity of saying no to maintain passion and quality in work, and the importance of being present for her team. The conversation concludes with Nicola's hopes for the future of the construction industry, advocating for recognition of the built environment sector and the need for diversity and sustainability in construction practices. Takeaways: "You have to push yourself and get outside your comfort zone." "To do what you love, you have to learn to say no." "You can't look after your family if you can't look after yourself first." "Don't lose sight of the fact you need to be curious and creative." As promised here is a links to: Ladies in Real Estate. The largest networking group for women working in real estate in the UK (and now growing abroad)!   Their values include: Mission-led: Helping women find and support each other in their property careers to balance the genders across the industry. Inclusivity: All women, at every level, of every socio-economic background, or pivoting into the industry, are welcome to join LiRE. Consistency: Monthly breakfasts are at the core of creating the safe space for the LiRE network to connect.   LiRE has a mentoring programme that Nicola is part of as a mentor.   HOP HOP uses a relaxed, simple process to regularly introduce you to brand new connections every fortnight with fellow female professionals. To sign up use link https://www.hophop.chat/p/join-female-property-professionals-like-you   NLA Built environment sector report https://nla.london/insights/the-built-environment-sector For more information on the 3 phases of a woman's career please head to the resources section at www.breathecoaching.co.uk Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Recon and Its Purpose 01:51 Meet Nicola Rutt: A Journey in Architecture 02:58 The Rewards of Starting a New Venture 04:59 Leadership: Actions and Boundaries 08:13 Balancing Motherhood and Career 09:14 Lessons Learned: Do What You Love 11:06 Networking: The Importance of Connections 13:17 Embracing Mini Failures for Growth 15:38 Unexpected Partnerships in Business 17:03 Supporting Women in the Industry 18:32 Hopes for the Future of Construction 20:18 Advice for Your Younger Self 21:24 Closing Thoughts and Inspirational Quotes

    22 min
  2. Episode 4 - Sarah Thorne

    3 FEB

    Episode 4 - Sarah Thorne

    In this episode of Recon, Bev Williams interviews Sarah Thorne, a project and program professional with over 20 years of experience in the construction industry. The conversation delves into the themes of midlife reinvention, resilience, emotional awareness, and the challenges of a confidence crisis in one's career. Sarah shares valuable insights on the importance of not fighting every battle, the need for reflection, emotional awareness in the workplace. As well as insights on gender bias and credit taking, learning from failures and trust, career transitions, reframing the perception of 'bossy' and the value of creativity in problem-solving. The conversation also touches on the importance of setting boundaries, learning from failures, and the hopes for a more inclusive future in the construction industry. She believes that empowering your team and having their back creates an environment where everyone can flourish.  Sarah speaks about supporting and championing women in leadership and her continued involvement with Women Leaders UK which is a registered charity established to recognise outstanding women, promote and strengthen women’s leadership, and support gender equality and diversity. For more information follow this link https://womenleadersuk.org Takeaways: Being settled in oneself leads to greater confidence.Resilience is built through experience and overcoming challenges.You don't have to fight every battle; choose wisely.Building a supportive network is crucial for overcoming confidence crises.Self-talk can be a form of bullying; be kind to yourself.Women need to celebrate their achievements and support each other.Saying no is a powerful tool for setting boundaries.It's important to reflect before reacting to situations. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Recon and Guest Introduction 02:17 Finding Rewards in Reinvention 04:26 The Importance of Resilience 06:33 Leadership Beyond Titles 08:23 Navigating Confidence Crises 13:59 Building a Supportive Network 15:29 The Power of Self-Talk 17:57 Choosing Your Battles Wisely 20:55 Reframing Insults as Strengths 25:30 Eek of the Week: Women in the Workplace 26:08 Lessons from Failure: Trust and Professionalism 27:55 Unexpected Career Turns: From Art to Project Management 31:07 Creativity in Leadership: The Importance of Diverse Thinking 31:24 Empowering Women: Mentorship and Support in Careers 35:38 The Future of Construction: Inclusivity and Women's Representation 36:47 Setting Boundaries: The Importance of Saying No

    43 min
  3. Episode 3 - Sasha Krstanovic

    27 JAN

    Episode 3 - Sasha Krstanovic

    The podcast episode features a conversation with Sasha Krstanovic, a mechanical engineer and founder of MSTEP. They discuss the challenges women face in their careers, the importance of leadership as a mindset, and the freedom of expression that comes with age and experience. Sasha reflects on her biggest failures, the lessons learned, and her hopes for a more inclusive and human-centric construction industry. The conversation emphasises the need for mentorship, collaboration, and the importance of staying true to oneself in the face of challenges. As a leader, Sasha recognises the necessity of self-care. She shares her morning routine, which includes yoga and quiet reflection, as essential practices for maintaining her mental and emotional well-being. By compartmentalising work stress and prioritising self-care, Sasha ensures she remains centred and focused, allowing her to lead effectively. Sasha mentioned the benefit of The 5 Tibetans  - here is a link… https://youtu.be/HXU5QoK7ku4?si=upj47ccJCl5Y-3gI We also discussed the Equilibrium Network (EQN) https://equilibrium-network.com Which is an international, multi-disciplinary network that includes architects, engineers, landscape architects, contractors, surveyors, planners, policy makers and urbanists; also those commissioning the design of the built environment in the public and private sectors, NGOs and charities; also academics and industry based institutes. The network is free to join: anyone who supports our aims and subscribes to their Ethical Code can join the network. The EQN mentoring toolkit can be downloaded https://equilibrium-network.com/resources/mentoring-toolkit/   Takeaways: Sasha emphasises the importance of freedom to express oneself in the workplace.Truth and integrity are powerful tools in one's career.MSTEP was born out of a desire for change and personal fulfilment.Challenges in career often stem from systemic issues rather than individual shortcomings.Personal growth often comes from overcoming failures and learning from them.The pandemic has taught the industry about flexibility and remote work.It's essential to keep going and stay true to oneself throughout one's career.The Power of Truth and the Right to be WrongMentoring and Networking Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Recon and Its Purpose01:40 Meet Sasha: A Trailblazer in Construction05:31 The Freedom of Self-Expression in Midlife11:42 Redefining Leadership: Beyond Titles17:42 Challenges in a Male-Dominated Industry23:21 Lessons Learned: The Power of Truth26:36 Embracing Change and Learning29:39 The Power of Honesty in Communication32:50 Turning Insults into Motivation33:33 The Gender Gap in Construction34:27 Understanding Systemic Limitations39:15 The Unexpected Journey of Entrepreneurship

    35 min
  4. Episode 1 - Sarah Kay....

    25 JAN

    Episode 1 - Sarah Kay....

    In this episode Bev Williams and Sarah Kay explore the challenges and experiences of women in the construction industry, the importance of self-belief, and the lessons learned from early career choices. They discuss the future of construction, emphasising sustainability and the need for more inclusive environments. Sarah shares her insights on the significance of strategic decision-making in one's career.     Takeaways   Balance your guilt equallySelf-belief is crucial for overcoming challenges.Women in construction face unique hurdles.Sustainability is a pressing issue in construction.Strategic career planning is essential for success.Saying yes to opportunities can open doors, but be mindful of direction.Creating inclusive environments is vital for future generations.  Chapters   00:00 Introduction to Resilience and Visibility 02:48 Navigating Career Transitions 04:35 Leadership Mindset and Consistent Actions 10:12 Facing Challenges and Overcoming Fear of Failure 15:09 Lessons Learned in Leadership 18:50 Understanding Failure and Growth 20:57 Unexpected Career Insights 22:19 Supporting Women in the Workplace 27:00 Future of the Construction Industry 31:03 Advice for the Next Generation For more information on the 3 phases of a woman's career please head to the resources section at www.breathecoaching.co.uk

    33 min
  5. Episode 2 - Jo Weston

    20 JAN

    Episode 2 - Jo Weston

    In this episode Bev Williams interviews Jo Weston, a seasoned professional in the construction industry, about her journey through leadership, mentorship, and the challenges faced by women in the field. Jo shares her insights on the importance of continuous learning, the non-linear nature of career paths, and the significance of self-awareness and emotional resilience. The conversation also touches on the need for more women in operational roles and the future of the construction industry, emphasising the importance of collaboration and maintaining a positive work environment. Takeaways: Coaching and mentoring others is one of the most rewarding aspects of leadership.Emotional resilience is key to overcoming challenges in a career.Self-awareness helps in understanding strengths and weaknesses.Career paths are often non-linear; embrace opportunities as they come.Building resilience comes from diverse experiences and roles.Women in construction need visible role models to inspire others.AI can assist in the industry, but human understanding is irreplaceable.Fun and positivity are essential to attract new talent in construction. Chapters: 00:00 Reinventive Contribution in the Construction Industry08:53 Consistent Actions for Good Leadership15:29 Overcoming Challenges and Building Resilience28:39 Secondments and Energy in Different Environments37:12 Dealing with Failure42:13 Career Expectations

    40 min
  6. The Trailer with Bev Williams

    11 JAN

    The Trailer with Bev Williams

    Bev Williams, owner of Breathe Executive Coaching, introduces her new podcast called Recon, which aims to support women in their 30s to mid-40s in the construction industry. The podcast features interviews with successful women who have navigated significant challenges and offers valuable advice and insights. Takeaways There are three phases of a woman's career: idealistic achievement, pragmatic endurance, and reinventive contribution.Reinventive Contribution - The advanced stage of a woman's careerThe podcast aims to support women in their 30s to mid 40s.Valuable advice and insights from successful women in the construction industryWomen often face challenges of work-life balance in mid-career.The podcast will feature interviews with successful women in construction.Topics include imposter syndrome, resilience, and self-belief.Bev Williams has been in the industry for nearly 30 years.Listeners can expect a segment called 'Eek of the Week.' For more information on the 3 phases of woman's career please head to the resources section of my website www.breathecoaching.co.uk

    4 min
  • 6 Episodes

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

  ReCon, the podcast made to support women in their 30s to mid 40s in the Construction industry who are navigating significant challenges to maintain momentum on their career path.   ReCon short for Reinventive Contribution is the advanced stage of a woman’s career where women aged 46 & beyond often seek new opportunities for growth and may focus on contributing to their field, Brene Brown calls it …. The gift of Mid-life which I love!   As my gift I want use this pod to share and leverage accumulated expertise by Interviewing successful women within the construction industry in the ReCon stage of their career. They have been there & have Pragmatically Endured through their 30 & 40s & got to the other side. My guests share their lived experiences, challenges, surprises and some golden nuggets to support those women currently in the Pragmatic Endurance phase of their career (30 – mid 40s). They have been there & got to the other side. Although I hope these conversations resonate with anyone at any age because there is so much valuable advice and so many really good pieces of information and that I wish that I'd been given.   For more information on the 3 phases of woman's career please head to the resources section of my website www.breathecoaching.co.uk

Information

You Might Also Like