Episode 34: Ladies in Leadership

with Nicole Sanchez

In this episode of the Quit Getting Screwed podcast, Karalynn sits down with podcaster, author, and industry leader, Nicole Sanchez, to discuss something they both know very well; navigating the construction industry as a woman, a wife, and a mother. Together, they go on a deep dive into industry leadership and a dialogue about how it differs for women in the industry. From making sure you have a seat at the table in an industry historically dominated by men to hashing out how to balance work, motherhood, and personal wellness, Nicole Sanchez and Karalynn Cromeens tackle it all. These women have a lot of wisdom to share after well over three decades of combined industry history between them, and they lay it all out in this episode.

Nicole began working in leadership before she was acquainted with the construction industry. She worked in a team lead position at Wells Fargo for 17 years before resigning and connecting by chance with the team at Koury Engineering. Since joining the team at Koury 9 years ago, Nicole has developed immense love and respect for the trades and her local construction community. This passion led her to her current position as the Director of Project Development with C.W. Drivers. “I learn something new every day,” she says of her current position, “I love that part about the work in this industry.”

When it comes to being a leader, Nicole’s philosophy is people-first. She believes it is of utmost importance that leaders communicate consistently with their teams and prioritize the culture they create in the workspace to drive maximum passion, and therefore high productivity, among team members. Speaking of teams, Nicole’s favorite part of the work is finding those perfect, “puzzle piece” people to build an incredible team. 

However, she recognizes that the people part of the work isn’t always easy. When discussing some of the more challenging parts of leading a team, Nicole and Karalynn agree that confrontations and terminations are among some of the most unpleasant-but-necessary situations they must deal with. Despite how tempting it can be to brush off these intense interactions, Nicole advises leaders to think of them as an act of care for the rest of the team, and by extension, the clients. “It’s only uncomfortable because you care,” she says. “Remember that tough calls like terminating someone are made with the success of the rest of the team in mind. It’s easier for me when I remind myself that I’m helping my team with my tough-call decision-making.”

Nicole has a lot of wisdom and insight to share with other leaders within the construction industry. No matter your department, team size, or area of expertise, leadership is the same at its core. The amazing insight offered by both Karalynn and her guest in this episode is not to be missed, so cultivate your leadership skills and tune in. For more insight into building a better business and developing your professional skills, subscribe to The Quit Getting Screwed podcast. For more from Karalynn, follow The Cromeens Law Firm on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram. You can also purchase the book that started it all, Quit Getting Screwed, on Amazon.

Episode Link: https://the-quit-getting-screwed-podcast.castos.com/episodes/episode-34-ladies-in-leadership-with-nicole-sanchez

This article is intended as a general educational overview of the subject matter and is not intended to be a comprehensive survey of recent jurisprudence, nor a substitute for legal advice for a specific legal matter. If you have a legal issue, consult an attorney.