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  • Failure as Feedback: A Better Way to Learn and Lead

    Failure as Feedback: A Better Way to Learn and Lead
    2025/12/16
    🎧 Episode Overview (EP 223)

    Failure is uncomfortable — but ignored failure is costly.

    In this episode of the Engineer Your Success Podcast, Dr. James Bryant revisits a powerful framework for turning setbacks into meaningful growth. Building on last week’s conversation about recognizing wins and success autopsies, this episode explores the other side of the equation: using failure as feedback.

    Rather than avoiding failure or beating yourself up over it, James walks through a practical, engineering-minded approach to learning from what didn’t work — so the experience doesn’t get wasted. Through real-world professional and personal examples, he introduces the concept of the Failure Resume and shows how leaders can extract insight, build better systems, and move forward with clarity.

    🧭 What You’ll Learn
    • When failure isn’t really failure — and what actually matters
    • Why being right isn’t the same as being effective
    • How to analyze setbacks without blame or shame
    • The Failure Resume as a framework for learning
    • How to apply root-cause thinking to leadership challenges
    • Why lessons from work often strengthen life at home — and vice versa
    🔩 Episode Highlights
    • 00:00 — Introduction and Context
    • 01:18 — Revisiting Past Lessons
    • 02:30 — The Failure Resume Concept
    • 02:45 — Personal Story: Leadership and Communication
    • 06:32 — Analyzing Failures Objectively
    • 07:37 — Using the Failure Resume
    • 12:07 — Professional Example: Technical Presentation
    • 13:44 — Personal Example: Time Management
    • 16:03 — Conclusion and Homework
    🔗 Resources & Next Steps

    📄 Request Your Updated Year-in-Review Template
    Email James at james@engineeryoursuccessnow.com

    🎧 Private Podcast: Engineer Your Success Insiders
    One story. One insight. One action to help you lead with intention.
    🔗 engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders

    🎙️ Podcast Hub
    All episodes, player links, and highlights.
    🔗 sleekbio.com/eyspod
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    8 分
  • Three Questions Every Leader Must Ask Before Setting Goals

    Three Questions Every Leader Must Ask Before Setting Goals
    2025/12/09
    🎧 Episode Overview (EP 222)

    Before you set goals for the new year, there are three questions every leader must ask. Most engineering leaders jump straight into planning—only to base next year’s goals on whatever they didn’t accomplish this year.

    In this episode, Dr. James Bryant walks you through a simpler, kinder, and far more effective approach to your year-end review. Rather than focusing on the gaps, you’ll learn how to uncover the hidden wins that have been shaping your growth all year long.

    This re-air of Episode 169 (“Essential Steps to Unlocking Hidden Wins and Mastering Your Year in Review”) is the perfect reset as you prepare to win at work and at home in 2026.

    Whether this is your first formal review or one of many, this episode will help you slow down, reflect with compassion, and set goals from a place of clarity—not pressure.

    🧭 What You’ll Learn
    • Why most year-end reviews leave leaders discouraged instead of energized
    • The three simple questions that reveal the progress you’ve been overlooking
    • How to prepare your mindset and environment for an honest, grace-filled review
    • Why celebrating “mini milestones” builds confidence and momentum
    • How to perform a Success Autopsy to understand why something worked
    • How to turn one-time wins into repeatable habits and systems
    • Why reflection is one of the best investments you can make in yourself
    🔩 Episode Highlights

    00:00 – Why most leaders focus on what they didn’t accomplish
    01:30 – The three questions that create clarity for the new year
    04:00 – Preparing your mindset and space for a meaningful review
    07:00 – The power of celebrating “mini milestones”
    10:00 – How to run a simple success autopsy
    14:00 – Turning reflection into action for the year ahead

    🔗 Resources & Next Steps

    📄 Request Your Updated Year-in-Review Template
    Email James at james@engineeryoursuccessnow.com

    🎧 Private Podcast: Engineer Your Success Insiders
    One story. One insight. One action to help you lead with intention.
    🔗 engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders

    🎙️ Podcast Hub
    All episodes, player links, and highlights.
    🔗 sleekbio.com/eyspod
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    8 分
  • Breaking Barriers: Empowering Women in Construction with Dr. Gretchen Gagel

    Breaking Barriers: Empowering Women in Construction with Dr. Gretchen Gagel
    2025/12/02

    🎧 Episode Overview (EP 221)

    The construction and engineering industries are changing—but inclusion hasn’t always kept pace. In this episode, Dr. James Bryant sits down with Dr. Gretchen Gagel, founder of Women Thriving in Construction Global Institute and author of Building Women Leaders: A Blueprint for Women Thriving in Construction.

    With over 40 years in the industry, Gretchen shares lessons from her leadership journey—spanning construction, consulting, and academia—and reveals what it really takes for women and their allies to lead and thrive in environments that haven’t always welcomed diversity.

    Together, they explore practical allyship, burnout and balance, dominant culture, and how to build workplaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work.

    “If you’re not going to back yourself, no one else will.” — Dr. Gretchen Gagel

    Whether you’re in construction, engineering, or any technical field, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, inclusion, and sustainable success.

    🧭 What You’ll Learn

    • Why inclusion challenges persist across engineering and construction
    • What “dominant culture” really means—and how empathy drives change
    • Daily examples of allyship for men and leaders
    • How women can overcome perfectionism and guilt to avoid burnout
    • The power of asking for help and leading with authenticity
    • How leadership growth carries into home life and personal wellbeing

    🔩 Episode Highlights

    00:00 – Welcome + Gretchen’s story and motivation for her book
    04:00 – Dominant culture, inclusion, and empathy in engineering and construction
    09:00 – Simple acts of allyship that change workplace culture
    11:00 – Burnout, balance, and redefining success
    15:00 – Asking for help and leading authentically
    19:00 – Creating the Women Thriving in Construction Global Institute
    22:00 – Encouragement for women whose careers have stalled
    24:00 – James on living intentionally and bringing your whole self to work

    🔗 Connect with Dr. Gretchen Gagel
    🌐 gretchengagel.com
    🌐 womenthrivinginconstruction.org
    📘 Building Women Leaders: A Blueprint for Women Thriving in Construction (Available on Amazon)

    🎧 More Ways to Connect

    Private Podcast: Engineer Your Success Insiders
    One story. One insight. One action to help you lead with intention.
    🔗 engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders

    Podcast Hub: sleekbio.com/eyspod
    LinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant

    🌟 Engineer Your Success — Dr. James Bryant

    Success isn’t just about results—it’s about building a life shaped by your values.
    Dr. James Bryant helps engineering and technical leaders create systems that bring clarity, confidence, and balance so they can win at work and at home.

    www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com
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    14 分
  • Communicating the Brilliance of Engineer’s Impact on Society

    Communicating the Brilliance of Engineer’s Impact on Society
    2025/11/25
    🎧 Episode Overview (EP 220) If you’ve ever felt that the engineering profession is misunderstood, undervalued, or overlooked by the public — this episode is for you. Dr. James Bryant sits down with Elizabeth “Lizzie” Archer, Assistant Vice President for Economic Inclusion at Kins, who has spent more than three decades helping engineers, architects, and builders be seen, valued, and understood. Lizzie brings a fresh, compelling perspective on how technical brilliance translates into societal impact — and why communication, inclusion, and storytelling are now essential leadership skills for every engineer. They explore the role engineers play in shaping daily life, the importance of broadening the industry’s talent pipeline, and how leaders can communicate the human impact behind their work. Lizzie also opens up about raising three boys while navigating demanding roles in the AEC industry — and what it really looks like to win at work and at home. Even if you’re not in infrastructure or construction, this episode will challenge how you think about engineering leadership, communication, and the future of talent in the profession. 🧭 What You’ll Learn Why engineers struggle to communicate their value to the publicHow to translate technical work into human-centered impactWhy inclusion initiatives strengthen the entire industryHow engineering leaders can inspire the next generationThe real reason engineers need stronger storytelling skillsPractical ways to balance demanding work with family lifeHow AI and climate change are reshaping engineering rolesWhy enthusiasm, clarity, and presence matter in leadership conversations 🔩 Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and Welcome00:55 – Why Lizzie calls herself an “infrastructure groupie”03:55 – Childhood influences that sparked her love for engineering and architecture06:01 – Communication: why engineers struggle and how to bridge the gap08:19 – Inclusion, small-business access, and building a stronger talent pool11:29 – Helping engineers communicate their impact to society13:49 – Inspiring young people through programs like ACE Mentor & Salvadori20:39 – Winning at work and at home: Lizzie’s story of integrating family23:29 – Lizzie’s questions for Dr. Bryant: AI, climate change, and the future 💬 Guest Bio — Elizabeth “Lizzie” Archer Elizabeth “Lizzie” Archer is the Assistant Vice President for Economic Inclusion at Kins, where she leads initiatives that expand access, opportunity, and participation for historically underrepresented groups in major infrastructure and construction projects. With over 30 years of experience in the architectural, engineering, and construction industries, Lizzie has held leadership roles in marketing, client development, PR, and inclusive business outreach for organizations including Turner Construction, DeBerry, and Tishman. Known for her passion for engineering and for elevating the voices behind the work, she has been recognized with honors such as Outstanding Woman of the Year, the Pillar Award, and multiple accolades within the New York and New Jersey AEC community. Lizzie is also a sought-after speaker for professional groups like WTS, where she teaches engineers how to communicate their value, tell their story, and build confidence. Her mission is simple: help engineers be seen — not just for what they build, but for the impact they create in people’s lives. 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: Elizabeth “Lizzie” Archer https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-geary-archer 🎧 More Ways to Connect Private Podcast: Engineer Your Success Insiders — one story, one insight, one action to help you lead with intention.🔗 engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders Podcast Hub: sleekbio.com/eyspodLinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbryant2/ 🌟 Engineer Your Success – Dr. James Bryant Success isn’t just about what you achieve — it’s about living a life that reflects your values and priorities.Dr. James Bryant helps engineering and technical leaders build systems that create clarity, confidence, and balance so they can win at work and at home. 👉 Visit: www.EngineerYourSuccessNow.com
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    14 分
  • The Most Important Investment Any Leader Can Make | Russ Spiegel on Developing People

    The Most Important Investment Any Leader Can Make | Russ Spiegel on Developing People
    2025/11/18
    In Episode 219, Dr. James Bryant interviews Russ Spiegel, Vice President of Operations at Craftsman Electric and ex-Marine Battalion Commander, exploring effective leadership strategies. They discuss the importance of emotional discipline, people development, and a strong leadership philosophy. Russ emphasizes that investing in people is crucial for enhancing workplace culture and unity between field and office teams. The episode highlights how leaders can turn challenges into opportunities and how personal growth at work positively affects home life. This discussion is relevant to all leaders seeking to enhance their approach to leadership and team dynamics.
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    32 分
  • Three Simple but Powerful Questions That Changed My Life

    Three Simple but Powerful Questions That Changed My Life
    2025/11/11
    🎧 Episode Overview (EP 218)What happens when your drive to succeed at work starts costing you what matters most? In this episode, Dr. James Bryant shares the story behind three simple but powerful questions that changed his life — and how those questions became the foundation of the Engineer Your Success framework. Originally recorded with Mark Wright on the Beats Working Podcast, this transparent and inspiring conversation explores ambition, family, faith, and the cost of imbalance — and what it takes to create a life where work and home thrive together. 🧭 What You’ll Learn The three questions that reveal whether you’re truly winning at work and home How to recognize when career goals are out of alignment with personal values Why success without presence comes at too high a cost How Dr. Bryant rebuilt his life and leadership from a place of faith and purpose Practical ways to prioritize family, faith, and fulfillment without sacrificing results 🔩 Episode Timestamps00:00:00 Introduction: The Three Questions00:03:38 Growing Up in Inner City Philadelphia00:05:00 The Path to Civil Engineering00:07:18 Early Career and Work-Life Balance00:12:12 The Turning Point: Realizing Imbalance00:19:32 Making the Change: Prioritizing Family and Self-Care00:20:37 Coaching Others to Win at Work and Home00:22:21 The Turning Point: Choosing Family Over Career00:24:22 A Lesson in Priorities: Early Career Decisions00:27:56 The Power of Delegation in Business00:30:33 Balancing Work and Family: Practical Advice00:35:43 Faith and Business: A Personal Perspective00:38:09 Leadership Coaching – Ad Break00:38:40 Closing: The Select Few 🎧 More Ways to ConnectPrivate Podcast — Engineer Your Success Insiders: One story, one insight, one action to help you lead with intention.🔗 engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders Podcast Hub: sleekbio.com/eyspodLinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant 🌟 Engineer Your Success – Dr. James BryantSuccess isn’t just about what you achieve — it’s about living a life that reflects your values and priorities.Dr. James Bryant helps engineering and technical leaders build systems that create clarity, confidence, and balance so they can win at work and at home. 👉 Visit: www.EngineerYourSuccessNow.com
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    20 分
  • The Hardest Decisions Have the Greatest Rewards: Leadership Lessons on Ambition and Preparation

    The Hardest Decisions Have the Greatest Rewards: Leadership Lessons on Ambition and Preparation
    2025/11/04
    In this episode, Dr. James Bryant interviews Babatunde Onadele Jr., Vice President at Core Builders, about his leadership journey. They explore the importance of mentorship, the timing of career leaps, and the interplay between ambition and readiness. Babatunde emphasizes the need for faith and authenticity in leadership and shares strategies for achieving work-life balance. His insights highlight how great leaders foster growth in others, making this discussion relevant not only to construction professionals but to anyone interested in leadership development.
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    17 分
  • Culture as a Catalyst: Thriving in Construction with Tim Ernst

    Culture as a Catalyst: Thriving in Construction with Tim Ernst
    2025/10/28
    In this podcast episode, Dr. James Bryant interviews Tim Ernst, an HR expert with over 25 years of experience in helping companies grow while maintaining their culture. They discuss the significance of a strong organizational culture, its definition as an expression of core values, and how accountability and communication contribute to a healthy workplace. Key lessons include the importance of nurturing talent, measuring culture’s return on investment, and the broader implications of success in both professional and personal life.
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    13 分