Richard Grotsch is a dedicated professional with over two decades of experience in municipal services and social housing. Born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, Grotsch has always been passionate about making a positive impact in his community. He holds a degree in Business Management/Administration from Humber College and has held various leadership roles, including Senior Director of Business Operations at Toronto Community Housing. Grotsch is known for his resilience, adaptability, and commitment to serving vulnerable populations. Outside of work, he is an avid supporter of philanthropic causes and enjoys spending time with his family. Grotsch continues to inspire others through his leadership, compassion, and dedication to creating meaningful change.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day starts early with a review of my schedule and priorities. My days are often fast-paced, I prioritize tasks to ensure that critical initiatives receive the attention they deserve.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Bringing ideas to life requires a combination of creativity, strategic thinking, and execution. I start by brainstorming and conceptualizing ideas, considering their feasibility and potential impact. From there, I develop a detailed plan outlining the necessary steps and resources required to implement the idea successfully.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that excites me is the increasing emphasis on sustainable and inclusive urban development. As someone deeply invested in municipal services and community development, I believe that creating vibrant, livable cities requires an approach that prioritizes social equity, and economic prosperity.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
One habit that helps me be productive is maintaining a structured daily routine. I start each day with a clear plan and set of goals, breaking down tasks into manageable chunks and allocating time for each accordingly.
What advice would you give your younger self?
If I could give advice to my younger self, it would be to embrace change and uncertainty as opportunities for growth and learning. Throughout my career, I’ve encountered numerous challenges and setbacks that initially seemed daunting. However, each of these experiences ultimately presented valuable lessons and opportunities.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
One belief that I hold, which may not be universally accepted, is that failure is an essential part of the journey to success. While failure is often stigmatized and feared, I firmly believe that it is an inevitable and invaluable aspect of personal and professional growth.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
One thing that I repeatedly do and highly recommend to others is to prioritize self-care and well-being. I’ve learned from experience that prioritizing self-care is essential for maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed or unfocused, I find it helpful to take a step back and reevaluate my priorities. I start by identifying the root cause of my feelings and breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
By actively seeking out mentorship and seeking feedback from others, I’ve been able to learn from their experiences and insights, accelerating my professional growth.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One failure in my career was encountering significant challenges during a large-scale project implementation. Despite meticulous planning and preparation, unforeseen obstacles arose that threatened to derail the project and undermine its success. However, rather than feel too much frustration, I chose to view this failure as an opportunity for growth and resilience.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
One business idea that I’m willing to share is the creation of a community-based mentorship program for aspiring professionals in municipal services and social housing. This program would pair seasoned professionals with mentees seeking guidance and support in navigating their careers.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
One piece of software that helps me be productive is project management software such as Trello. Trello allows me to organize and track tasks, projects, and deadlines so I can stay on top of my busy days.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One book that has provided me with a ton of value is “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg. This book explores the science behind habit formation and how understanding our habits can empower us to make positive changes in our lives, and it has helped me greatly in both my personal and professional life.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
A movie that I recently enjoyed is “The Pursuit of Happyness,” starring Will Smith. It tells the true story of Chris Gardner, a struggling single father who overcomes immense adversity to achieve his dreams of success and a better life for his family. I found it very moving.