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You don’t look like an Engineer
David Bainbrigge: The Executive Leadership Expert
We’re excited to return with an enlightening episode featuring David, an executive engineer with over 25 years of experience in leadership roles, primarily in the natural resource sector. David has seen it all, from the shop floor to the C-suite, and he’s dedicated to transforming technically skilled individuals into effective leaders. It is well discussed that employees need to be exceptional to progress, but the understated elephant in the room is that mediocre leadership can burnout even the best team-members.
In this episode we discuss how we have created more diverse teams in the workforce, but have not equipped our leaders to understand the influence of culture and background on team behaviours, and the opportunities and challenges relating to diversity. David also gives great insights on how to empower leaders to drive meaningful change in their organisations. David is an expert in the field, helping countless professional becoming exceptional leaders through 1:1 coaching, group sessions and workshops about design, facilitation, strategy, focus and many other topics! He believes that exceptional leadership is crucial for overcoming the rising challenges within the workforce and is passionate about fostering an inclusive and innovative workplace.
If you're passionate about becoming an exceptional leader, or think that we can do innovation and diversity in a more effective way, then you need to give this one a listen! We’d love to hear your thoughts on the conversation.
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41. Darren Flynn: The entrepreneurial engineer
51:15||Ep. 41In this episode, Lau and Sohan chat with Darren Flynn, an engineer on a mission to be more entrepreneurial. Darren's journey began in the trenches, working with pipes, pumps, and concrete, and has spanned over $2B of water infrastructure projects in Australia and Vietnam.Darren employs value engineering, innovative ideas, design thinking, and his vast experience to deliver optimal outcomes for clients and projects. Now, he aims to give back and mentor the next generation of engineers, emphasising the need for engineers to be leaders who shape the future.Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! Darren's insights are invaluable for both newcomers to the industry and seasoned professionals. Tune in now!Would like to connect with Darren ? Darren Flynn - LinkedIn40. Roberta Brosco: Let go of your self judgement - advice from a professional self development coach
52:26||Ep. 40Laura and Sohan embark on a mindfulness journey led by former engineer-turned mindfulness coach Roberta Brosco. Roberta talks about her journey within construction, how she embarked on a journey to become a mindful leader to deal with workplace stresses. She then used these tools to create mindfulness coaching for women across the globe to help them elevate their careers, become present leaders and lead from the heart. A meditative experience, Roberta’s mentorship is sure to help upcoming and present leaders.Roberta is launching her Doors to Conscious Confidence Academy, which will open tomorrow 9th of July, link is: Academy Link ✨The You Don't Look Like an Engineer Podcast is proudly supported by Design & Build Recruitment39. Fiona McDonald: Pursuit, Passion and Promise leader of 2023
50:25||Ep. 39Laura and Sohan sit with the Roads Australia PPP award winner of 2023, Fiona McDonald from New South Wales. Fiona is a Senior Manager of Industry Affairs and Partnerships, who shares her experience in leading innovation in the industry, working with senior leadership teams and even championing for diversity and inclusion - a passion that arises from her own personal experiences. Fiona's valuable lessons on understanding the incremental changes that lead to path breaking innovation are a great lesson for young professionals in the industry. The discussion talks about how getting recognition can impact careers, and many more topics that you simply don't want to miss. Yo can also check out her report "Innovation: an Emerging Leaders Perspective" link:https://roads.org.au/innovation-an-emerging-leaders-perspective/38. Josh Yates: Treat the janitor with the same respect as the CEO
49:01||Ep. 38In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Josh Yates, a multifaceted individual serving as the co-director of Landy Advisory, the director of the Tweed Seagulls Rugby League Football Club, and the vice president of the Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce. Josh candidly shares the challenges he faced at the outset of his journey in the infrastructure sector. Despite lacking a technical engineering background, he reveals how he navigated these obstacles with determination and resilience and became a visionary executive in business strategy.Josh delves into the pivotal moment when he embarked on his entrepreneurial endeavor, founding his first advisory consultancy and assembling a talented team of ten individuals. Join us as we explore how Josh's background in sports influences his distinctive leadership style, offering valuable insights into his approach to team dynamics.The You Don't Look Like an Engineer Podcast is proudly supported by Design & Build Recruitment37. Rhianna Di Trapani: Creating a healthy relationship with change | Episode 37
50:03||Ep. 37Join Laura and Sohan in their interview with Rhianna Di Trapani, the civil construction professional turned director of her very own company - Virtual Civil Consulting! From juggling two degrees and two part-time jobs to managing 20-million dollar projects in the construction industry - Rhianna is an inspiration for young women in STEM wanting to reach the stars.At just 15 years old, Rhianna moved from Dubai to Australia and embraced new cultures. In this episode, Rhianna uncovers the keys to building a healthy relationship with change, growing through learning, and taking courageous leaps in both work and life. You don’t want to miss this one.The You Don't Look Like an Engineer Podcast is proudly supported by Design & Build Recruitment36. Vanessa: The undercover superhero shaping our transport future | Episode 36
51:43||Ep. 36In this episode, Sohan and Lau sit down with Vanessa, a transportation engineer reshaping the face of Civil Engineering. Vanessa shares her passion for engineering and social media, discussing the importance of inspiring young professionals by highlighting engineers' role in shaping city infrastructure. She opens up about challenges in her career and the mindset that helped her overcome them, ultimately becoming the engineer she aspired to be. Vanessa's story is one of forging her path without traditional role models, and her journey promises an inspiring conversation. Join us for this insightful discussion.The You Don't Look Like an Engineer Podcast is proudly supported by Design & Build Recruitment35. Miranda Swift: The 13-year old grabbing everyone's attention | Episode 35
43:27||Ep. 35Join Sohan and Laura as they interview Miranda Swift, a rising star in engineering. Discover how she kickstarted her career in high school, evolving from a part-time worker to a cadet civil engineer. Miranda's passion for enhancing STEM opportunities for rural girls is palpable as she discusses her initiatives to boost their job prospects and education. Learn about her groundbreaking project, 'Hustle,' aimed at mentoring aspiring engineers, and her accolades including the 2022 NAWIC University Student of the Year. With a focus on advocating for women in STEM, Miranda's insights offer a refreshing perspective on industry challenges and mindset improvements. Tune in for an inspiring conversation with this remarkable young talent!The You Don't Look Like an Engineer Podcast is proudly supported by Design & Build Recruitment34. Angela Hucker: Creating a successful journey in spite of gender biases | Episode 34
01:03:09||Ep. 34In this episode, Lau and Sohan host Angela Hucker, CEO of EPIC. Angela shares experiences from her career, spanning two decades in male-dominated industries. She talks about learning to rise to the occasion, how you can jump into a new role and learn to fit into it. She talks about the changes the industry has been through, in recognising female talent and fostering better, more inclusive cultures. Angela talks about how recognising biases was difficult in her earlier career, when it was hard to understand that certain behaviour was warranted to gender stereotypes. A badass in her own field, Angela has a remarkable portfolio including multimillion dollar projects in oil, gas and infrastructure, and even a spotlight on US TV Show “Mega Structures”. The conversation explores the importance of fostering an open mindset in the construction industry and delves into the challenges of FIFO work. She shares about her latest venture EPIC, which seeks to empower those in construction.Join us for this episode to hear Angela's practical career insights and genuine take on gender quotas and their impact on the industry.The You Don't Look Like an Engineer Podcast is proudly supported by Design & Build Recruitment