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-3gIWe 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 NetworkingChapters: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