#6 Curiosity in public housing with Rachael Steward

In this episode of Curiosity at Work,"Dr. Julie Pham sits down with Rachael Steward, the Deputy Director of Housing Operations at Seattle Housing Authority. Rachael brings a wealth of experience from her 20-year career in public service, including roles in higher education and public housing. She shares her insights on fostering curiosity in a diverse and dynamic workplace.

Rachael provides an in-depth look at the Seattle Housing Authority, which serves as the largest affordable housing provider in the city, housing around 37,000 people in 9,000 units. She discusses the operational challenges and opportunities in managing a workforce of nearly 900 employees, most of whom work on-site due to the hands-on nature of their roles in property management, maintenance, and community services.

Throughout the episode, Rachael emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and curiosity as a practice, which she instills in her team. She recounts a personal story that highlights the need for self-awareness and the value of admitting mistakes to foster a culture of mutual learning. Rachael also touches on the difficulties of practicing curiosity in a bureaucratic environment and how understanding the diverse backgrounds of team members can bridge communication gaps.

Join us for this enlightening conversation as Rachael Steward shares her journey and practical tips on how to cultivate curiosity and continuous improvement in the public housing sector.

Connect with Dr. Julie Pham:

• LinkedIn: Julie Pham
• Website: CuriosityBased
• Instagram: Julie Pham, PhD

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