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.orgTakeaways: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 Introduction02:17 Finding Rewards in Reinvention04:26 The Importance of Resilience06:33 Leadership Beyond Titles08:23 Navigating Confidence Crises13:59 Building a Supportive Network15:29 The Power of Self-Talk17:57 Choosing Your Battles Wisely20:55 Reframing Insults as Strengths25:30 Eek of the Week: Women in the Workplace26:08 Lessons from Failure: Trust and Professionalism27:55 Unexpected Career Turns: From Art to Project Management31:07 Creativity in Leadership: The Importance of Diverse Thinking31:24 Empowering Women: Mentorship and Support in Careers35:38 The Future of Construction: Inclusivity and Women's Representation36:47 Setting Boundaries: The Importance of Saying No