John White, Program Administrator at Washington DOT
On this episode of One Step Beyond, we are joined by John White, Program Administrator at Washington State DOT.
In this conversation, Aram and John explore John’s experiences in leadership, collaboration, and navigating an unexpected career path in engineering. John advocates for breaking down self-imposed barriers and exploring passions.
Drawing on personal lessons, John encourages professionals to be open to new opportunities and remain adaptable as career paths often take unexpected turns. He reflects on his journey from construction inspection to leadership within DOT, emphasizing the significance of soft skills like empathy and communication, particularly in a field traditionally dominated by technical expertise. John's belief in the power of empathy underpins his approach to leadership, team building, and public engagement, particularly when working with underserved communities.
In this episode, John’s story serves as a reminder to embrace opportunities, value collaboration, and not let perceived limitations hinder growth. His advice for those feeling like outsiders in their careers is clear: don’t set barriers for yourself—allow passion and persistence to lead you down an evolving, rewarding path.
ON THIS EPISODE WE TALK ABOUT
- Soft skills vs technical skills
- Advice for black sheep professionals
- Managing complex leadership dynamics
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