What if the guilt you feel about wanting more in your career isn't a character flaw, it's actually a sign you're ready for your next level of growth?

In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant talks with Jake Kennington, a practicing structural engineer and coach, about the struggle ambitious professionals face when they have "everything" but still want more. From working 4 days a week to pursue entrepreneurship to using engineering principles for life design, Jake shares why "constructive discontent" is actually healthy and how to build a strong foundation for both career and personal fulfillment.

You'll discover Jake's "strong beam, stronger column" philosophy, learn his three essential habits for personal development, and understand why wanting more isn't selfish, it's strategic. Whether you're feeling stuck in a good job or guilty about your ambitions, this episode will help you embrace growth without compromising gratitude.

⏱️ Key Moments in the Episode

00:00 – Constructive Discontent: Jake's honest struggle with wanting more despite having "so much"
01:45 – From Math to Structures: Jake's journey through different engineering disciplines
03:25 – Small Firm vs. Large Firm: Why new engineers should start small, then scale up
05:44 – The "More" Dilemma: How to articulate what you really want in your career
09:03 – Going Back: Jake's strategic return to a smaller firm for work-life design
12:21 – Strong Beam, Stronger Column: Engineering principles applied to life balance
17:22 – Three Life-Changing Habits: Morning routines, reflective writing, and creative projects
20:42 – Role Reversal: Jake interviews James about faith integration and business evolution

👤 Guest Information

Jake Kennington – Structural Engineer & Human Engineer Coach
Licensed structural engineer with 10+ years experience | Works 4 days/week practicing, 1 day coaching
🌐 humanengineercoach.com | Specializes in one-on-one coaching for engineers and engineering leaders

💡 Key Insights & Takeaways

• "Constructive discontent" allows you to be grateful while still pursuing growth
• Career paths don't have to be linear—you're allowed to change your mind
• Personal life is your foundation ("stronger column") that supports your career ("strong beam")
• Small firms offer broad exposure; large firms provide deep, specialized experience
• Most people are motivated by either gaining something or avoiding pain, know which drives you

🧠 Notable Quotes

"There's this idea of a constructive discontent, you can be grateful for what you have and still want more." — Jake Kennington

"I prefer strong beam, stronger column. Our personal life—who we are and how we spend our time outside of our career—is actually more important than what we do in our careers." — Jake Kennington

🔧 Jake's Three Essential Habits

1. Own Your Morning: Read, write, run—focus on mental and physical health before work demands
2. Daily Reflective Writing: Journal to extract wisdom from experiences and decisions
3. Creative Projects: Lead something outside your day job to exercise different muscles

🎙️ About Engineer Your Success

Engineer Your Success equips technical professionals and business owners to become confident, purpose-driven leaders who thrive at work and at home.

Through executive coaching, business consulting, and strategic content solutions, we help you:

• Lead with clarity and communicate with impact
• Build aligned systems that support your values
• Avoid burnout while achieving professional success
• Transform from technical expert to influential leader

🔗 Connect With Us

Learn more at engineeryoursuccessnow.com

Follow Dr. James Bryant | https://sleek.bio/jbryant

What if the biggest barrier to career advancement isn't your technical skills, it's how you navigate workplace transitions and speak up in rooms where you're "the only"?

In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant talks with Ashley Rudolph, performance coach and former tech VP, about the unique challenges high achievers face during career transitions. From leading through layoffs to overcoming "the only" syndrome, Ashley shares why execution matters more than planning when it comes to real career transformation.

You'll discover why "Ashley excels at excellence" became her defining moment, how to adapt when environments aren't built for you, and what it really takes to turn transitions into opportunities. Whether you're eyeing a promotion or navigating workplace challenges, this episode will help you lead with confidence through uncertainty.

Key Moments in the Episode

00:00 – Leadership Under Pressure: Ashley's critical decision-making moment during team layoffs and the type of leader she chose to become

01:32 – Defining High Performers: The "Ashley excels at excellence" origin story and what drives people to continuously push for better

02:57 – Tech Executive Journey: How Ashley grew from individual contributor to VP in 5 years and the mistakes she learned from

04:09 – Navigating Career Transitions: Leading through uncertainty and preparing your team for their next chapters

09:27 – "Being the Only" Concept: Why it's different from imposter syndrome and how to thrive in rooms not designed for you

10:33 – The Left-Handed Analogy: Adapting to environments built for others without giving up on your goals

11:51 – Three Dimensions of Transformation: Ashley's proven coaching methodology that focuses on real change, not just planning

16:29 – Role Reversal Interview: What high achievers really struggle with—worthiness and self-sabotage patterns

19:41 – Purpose and Calling: Why both coaches continue doing this work and the impact on their clients' lives

Key Insights & Takeaways

• High performers are driven by an internal need to continuously excel
• "Being the only" in a room creates unique challenges beyond typical imposter syndrome
• Most coaching fails at execution—focus on daily actions, not just strategies
• True leadership is revealed in how you handle crisis situations
• Even technical professionals with strong expertise struggle with feelings of worthiness

🧠 Notable Quotes

"I'm willing to do the hard things and I'm willing to have the hard conversations—I'm just not someone that runs away from the scary things." — Ashley Rudolph

"People pay me for the change. They don't pay me for presentation, they don't pay me for a plan." — Ashley Rudolph

👤 Guest Information

Ashley Rudolph – Performance Coach & Former Tech Executive
Founder of Work with Ashley R | Specializes in high achiever career transitions
🌐 workwithashleyr.com
📧 newsletter.workwithashleyr.com
💼 LinkedIn: Ashley Rudolph (with a pH - like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer)

About Engineer Your Success

Engineer Your Success equips technical professionals and business owners to become confident, purpose-driven leaders who thrive at work and at home.

Through executive coaching, business consulting, and strategic content solutions, we help you:

• Lead with clarity and communicate with impact
• Build aligned systems that support your values
• Avoid burnout while achieving professional success
• Transform from technical expert to influential leader

🔗 Connect With Us

Learn more at engineeryoursuccessnow.com
Follow Dr. James Bryant | https://sleek.bio/jbryant

What if the biggest barrier to becoming a better leader isn’t your technical ability—it’s how you communicate?

In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant talks with Susan Young, communications trainer for AEC professionals, about why engineers often struggle to connect—and how to fix it. From public speaking to emails to deep listening, Susan shares battle-tested strategies to help you speak with clarity, confidence, and connection.

You’ll hear why "you are the message," how to stop burying the lead, and what it really takes to lead others through words, presence, and mindset. Whether you're presenting to stakeholders or writing that all-important follow-up email, this episode will help you make every word count.

00:00 – You Are the Message: Why communication starts with human connection, not slides or scripts.

01:00 – Confidence, Communication, and Career Growth: Susan shares her journey from radio news to keynote speaking and how engineers can build confidence too.

05:00 – The Real Reason Engineers Struggle to Communicate: What we’re not taught in school, and how to stop letting fear or personality labels get in the way.

10:00 – Writing and Speaking with Impact: From email tips to AI support, how to make every word count and lead with clarity.

15:00 – Deep Listening & Presence: What “silent listening” means and how to stay anchored during conversations.

20:00 – Let the Conversation Flow: How staying unscripted helps build trust, connection, and authentic leadership.

Susan Young
Communications Strategist & Trainer for AEC Professionals
Creator of the Top Tier Communicator Program

🌐 aecamplify.com

• Confidence is a learned skill—communication can be trained like any other

• Stop hiding behind “I’m just an introvert” and start building presence

• Clarity in writing starts with knowing the point you’re trying to make

• Your audience is rooting for you—they want you to succeed

• “Silent listening” helps you become a trusted advisor, not just another vendor

• You don’t need to memorize a script to communicate effectively—just be real

• Don’t bury the lead. Make your point. Make every word count.

“Nobody came for your PowerPoint slides. In the end, you are the message.” — Susan Young

“Make your point. Maybe it’s the Jersey in me, but I say: Cut the crap. What are you trying to say?” — Susan Young

Engineer Your Success equips technical professionals and business owners to become confident, purpose-driven leaders who thrive at work and at home.

Through a blend of executive coaching, business consulting, and strategic content solutions, we help you:

• Lead with clarity
• Communicate with impact
• Build aligned systems that support your values
• Avoid burnout and thrive in every area of life

Learn more at engineeryoursuccessnow.com

Follow Dr. James Bryant | https://sleek.bio/jbryant