🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with AJ Slivinski — President & Owner of Zen Residential, author of The Leadership Code, and a leader whose career has spanned packaged goods, global gaming, and real estate.
AJ’s story is one of relentless curiosity and practical resourcefulness. From building a world-class, multilingual contact center in Cyprus that beat out FedEx and Carnival Cruise Lines for global service awards, to pioneering Canada’s first unsubsidized shipping container apartment, AJ has made a career out of spotting opportunities where others see roadblocks.
Today, he leads Zen Residential — a high-touch, high-tech property management company operating across Edmonton and Calgary. With over 30 years in business, Zen blends centralized operations, tenant-facing technology, and service excellence to protect clients’ brands and maximize asset value.
In our conversation, we get into:
(1) How curiosity fuels problem-solving and innovation in real estate
(2) Lessons from scaling businesses across multiple industries and continents
(3) The mindset it takes to modernize a legacy business without losing its soul
(4) Why resourceful leaders thrive when there’s no playbook
This episode is a blueprint for anyone who wants to lead with adaptability, build high-performing teams, and stay ahead in an industry that rewards those who can think — and act — differently.
🟢 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.
