In this episode, I talk with Sarah Zarzecki, PE, PMP, Transportation Design Department Manager at Stanley Consultants, about engineering leadership strategies that emphasize leading with strength and empathy, navigating burnout, uniting multi-generational teams, and delivering results under pressure in the fast-paced AEC industry.
***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Sarah:
- How do you get team members from different generations to work together and stay focused on the same project goals?
- How do you deal with challenges like burnout or conflict on your team, while keeping trust and collaboration strong?
- Can you share a time when a project faced major challenges and explain how you helped your team adjust and stay on track?
- When you’re up against tight deadlines, how do you decide what to prioritize without sacrificing quality or your team’s well-being?
- What are some ways you help your team stay positive and focused on finding solutions when things aren’t going well?
- What engineering leadership strategies help you stay motivated and effective during long or stressful project cycles?
- What’s one common mistake project managers often make, and how can they avoid or fix it?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Lead Through Adversity with Engineering Leadership Strategies:
- Create space for mutual respect and open dialogue, where every team member is encouraged to contribute. Set clear expectations and actively leverage the unique strengths and insights that each generation brings to the table.
- Use proactive communication to prepare the team for workload changes and maintain transparency during stressful periods. When conflict arises, address it by listening to all perspectives and involving leadership support when needed to keep the team aligned.
- Break complex or delayed projects into smaller, manageable phases to maintain progress and flexibility. Document key decisions consistently, so the team can easily pick up where they left off, even after disruptions.
- Make confident decisions while clearly communicating trade-offs and limitations to clients. Quality control remains non-negotiable, but timelines and deliverables can be adjusted transparently to protect both standards and team morale.
- Shift focus on what the team can control and celebrate small wins to maintain momentum. Reinforce the value of teamwork and strong relationships as motivation through difficult moments.
- Effective engineering leadership strategies for long or stressful project cycles involve breaking large goals into smaller, achievable tasks to reduce overwhelm and maintain focus. Build a strong support system through regular team check-ins and mentorship from experienced professionals.
- Failing to track project changes in real time often leads to confusion and missed opportunities. Keep a running log of decisions and changes to ensure clarity and support effective contract adjustments later on.
More Details in This Episode…
About Sarah Zarzecki, PE, PMP
Sarah Zarzecki is a transportation engineering leader with nearly 20 years of experience delivering infrastructure projects across Colorado. At Stanley Consultants, she manages multidisciplinary teams and oversees projects ranging from highway and intersection improvements to bicycle and pedestrian facilities. She plays a key role in business development, client engagement, and cross-team coordination.
Sarah is known for her collaborative approach, stakeholder engagement, and commitment to high-quality, community-focused solutions. She’s active in professional development efforts, serving on scholarship committees for ACEC Colorado and WTS Colorado and leading initiatives for young professionals at Stanley.
A licensed PE and certified PMP, Sarah earned her civil engineering degree from Michigan Technological University. She’s been recognized as a Top Woman in Colorado Construction and an ENR Mountain States Top Young Professional.
Books Mentioned in This Episode:
Sources/References:
Stanley Consultants
Connect with Sarah Zarzecki, PE, PMP, on LinkedIn
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