Episode 6 - Sarah Chapman

In this episode of Recon, host Bev Williams speaks with Sarah Chapman, founder and MD of Chapman Consulting, about her extensive career in the construction industry. They discuss the rewards of career reinvention, the challenges faced in toxic work environments, and the importance of humility and leadership. Sarah shares her unexpected journey into entrepreneurship and her hopes for the future of women in construction, emphasising the need for more women in skilled roles. Sarah epitomises the transformative journey many women experience in their careers. She explains, there is a unique reward in helping younger colleagues navigate their careers, fostering an environment where they can flourish. Sarah draws inspiration from Dr. Sam Collins, who highlights the significance of empowering others. Takeaways:·       Setting boundaries is essential for work-life balance.·       Humility is a key trait for success in any field.·       It's important to take time to enjoy your career journey.·       Entrepreneurship can provide flexibility for working mums.Dr Sam Collins is the founder of Aspire for Equality (formerly Aspire). https://drsamcollins.com/forFollow her on  LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/drsamcollins & read her book mRadio Heaven https://amzn.eu/d/0h3gqWaaSee Jane Win: The Rimm Report on How 1000 Girls Become Successful Women Dr Sylvia Rim https://amzn.eu/d/028Z2OFDWomen are leading approximately one-fifth (20%) of all new businesses, a record high, according to reports cited by Diversity UK. The Rose Review, an independent review of female entrepreneurship, tracks progress and aims to boost support and increase the number of female angel investors.The broader goal, as outlined in the Women-led high-growth enterprise taskforce report (HTML) - GOV.UK is to close the gender gap, potentially adding significant value to the UK economy by enabling women to start and scale businesses at the same rate as men. Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Recon and Guest Introduction02:38 Theme Tune and Public Speaking Experiences04:33 Leadership Insights and Personal Growth06:55 The Importance of Boundaries in Leadership08:51 Challenges Faced in Career and Overcoming Them13:24 Lessons Learned: The Value of Humility17:16 Navigating Gender Dynamics in the Workplace17:52 Proud Moments and Personal Reflections20:01 Redefining Failure: Learning from Mistakes22:24 Unexpected Journeys: The Path to Entrepreneurship23:22 Women in Business: Flexibility and Opportunity25:53 Supporting Each Other: Mentorship and Leadership29:29 The Future of Construction: Women and Skills Gap34:12 Advice to My Younger Self: Enjoy the Journey