Rob Kalwarowsky / Breaking the mold: A Reliability Engineer’s Quest for Change and Psychological Safety

Content Warning: This episode discusses suicide and self-harm.

In this episode of Reliability Hero, Andrew introduces Rob, a senior reliability engineer with a diverse range of expertise. Rob shares his journey, starting with his experience as a Canadian representative for the water polo team and his involvement in leadership, psychological safety, and mental health. As a podcaster, Rob’s insights are highly valued. Andrew recounts an embarrassing encounter when he mistook Rob for an American during a conference.

The conversation delves into Rob’s beginnings in maintenance, where he worked as a reliability engineer at a coal mine in the Rocky Mountains before transitioning into a role as a reliability consultant. They discuss the unique locations Rob has worked in, from Arctic Circle gold mines to power plants, highlighting the unexpected encounters with Australians in a small Canadian town.

Andrew and Rob explore the impact of Rob’s water polo experience on his work ethic and identity formation. Rob reflects on the positive and negative aspects of being known as the hardworking guy who achieves results, leading to mental health struggles due to an unsupportive manager. They delve into the challenges faced in the maintenance industry, where resistance to change and a culture of complacency hinder progress. Rob emphasizes the importance of leadership and engagement to break this cycle and drive meaningful transformation.

Join Andrew and Rob as they delve into the fascinating intersection of personal experiences, professional growth, and the need for change within the maintenance community. Discover how one individual’s journey can shed light on broader industry challenges and inspire a new approach to reliability engineering.