In the third of my construction industry conversations with electrical project manager Adam Evans, we move into one of the hardest parts of leading in construction: mental health. Adam is candid about why he thinks the industry carries such a high suicide rate.

We also cover:

• The yelling-and-screaming culture. Escalation as a default management style, and Adam's observation that the best-run sites are precisely the ones without it.
• The implications of a very young workforce, who doesn’t quite have the self-awareness tools to deal with the pressures of the tough environment.
• The self-awareness problem. If the senior people won't engage with the "fluffy" leadership work, they can't extend a hand to anyone else.
• Does gender change the conversation? A third-year apprentice became the only person a struggling colleague would talk to - and got him back to work when nobody else could reach him.
• The business case for investing in team development, and its friction – the reality of a labour industry where every hour is billable and training costs both the course fee and the hours, and can feel hard to justify.
• Not everyone should lead: some people are better off staying technical specialists.

It’s a fascinating conversation, no matter what industry you lead in, but particularly if you work in or with the construction industry.

This episode discusses suicide and mental health. If it raises anything for you, please reach out to a local crisis line — in Australia, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636; MATES in Construction on 1300 642 111 or TIACS for tradies and people working in rural industries.

If you would like to connect with Adam or read more about his experience, you can find him on LinkedIn.

If some of the challenges Adam and I talk about feel familiar, you’ll find more practical support for navigating them, and becoming the leader you want to be (even under pressure), here.