• Bill shares his concern about turning podcasting from a hobby into a career and potentially losing the joy
• Andrea acknowledges many executives reach their goals but realize they've been building a life they thought they "should have" rather than what brings fulfillment

• Many successful leaders have forgotten how to play and what brings them joy
• The importance of "retraining" ourselves to have fun again
• Connecting with our childlike wonder and awe of the world
• How children naturally know how to play but adults lose this ability over time

• How criticism throughout our lives (education, work reviews) creates an internal critic
• We begin making "safe choices" to avoid the metaphorical "red pen"
• Children perform without self-criticism, while adults constantly judge themselves
• Learning to observe and quiet our inner critic is essential for rediscovering play

• Story of a CEO learning to play with his grandchildren by getting down on the floor
• How playfulness makes leaders more approachable and changes how people experience them
• Finding moments for play doesn't require large amounts of time

• Andrea shares how she creates playful moments with her daughter while caring for foster kittens
• Bill discusses creating "adventures" with his brother in childhood and continuing this practice as an adult
• How small moments of joy and fun can be incorporated into busy schedules

• Reminder that "work isn't forever" - jobs end, companies change, people retire
• The importance of developing interests beyond work
• Stories of executives approaching retirement with no idea what to do beyond work

• Andrea's practice of always doing something she's "really bad at"
• How being a beginner helps leaders empathize with new employees
• Learning to have fun while doing something you're not good at

• Bill reflects on Andrea's approach to leadership development
• The importance of taking positions that are right for you rather than just "the next step"
• Encouragement for listeners to seek coaching as they develop in their careers

In this episode of the Nuclear Leader Podcast, host Bill Nowicki interviews John Vukovics, a seasoned nuclear industry professional with over 28 years of reactor engineering experience at River Bend Station. The conversation delves into his journey, discussing the challenges and rewards of the nuclear field, the importance of effective communication and mentorship, and strategies for maintaining a balance between professional responsibilities and personal life. The episode also touches on ways to attract and retain new talent in the nuclear industry, and highlights the significance of having a sense of purpose and camaraderie within high-stress roles. This deep dive into the life and career of a veteran nuclear engineer offers valuable lessons in leadership, technical prowess, and personal growth.

00:00 John V

00:36 Introduction and Background

01:08 Journey into Nuclear Engineering

01:47 Technical Challenges and Learning

02:59 Building Communication Skills

03:27 Early Career Experiences

04:40 Interacting with Operations

06:32 Mentoring and Developing Engineers

14:14 Organizational Challenges

18:04 Future of Nuclear Engineering

21:42 Balancing Career and Family

23:06 Mentors and Inspirations

27:32 Final Reflections and Farewell

28:19 Favorite Louisiana Cuisine

Vukovics Consulting

jmvukovics@icloud.com