Join host Randy Goruk as he sits down with accomplished entrepreneur Mark Scambray for an inspiring conversation about leadership, innovation, and business growth in the construction industry.

Discover how Mark transitioned from sales to launching and building his own successful companies.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business leader, or interested in actionable advice on thriving through change, this episode delivers practical wisdom, firsthand stories, and actionable insights to help you achieve your goals.

Learn valuable lessons about managing teams, mastering business finances, adapting in times of crisis, and taking smart risks.

Listeners will also learn:

• How to transition from a technical or sales role into entrepreneurship.
• The importance of strong work ethic, courage, and adaptability in business.
• Leadership lessons for managing teams and business finances, including budgeting and cost control.
• The story behind founding and growing Hardy Fall Protection Systems.
• How to build strong client relationships and develop effective sales/marketing strategies in the construction industry.
• The value of being nimble and pivoting business models in response to challenges like recessions and the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Why a family support system is crucial for entrepreneurial success.
• Insights into measuring marketing impact and managing client expectations.
• Practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: persistence, confidence, and the willingness to reach out for guidance.

Website: https://srgspec.com/

Phone: 949-636-1255

Host Randy Goruk welcomes Dr. Gretchen Gagle, a trailblazer in the construction industry, to discuss her journey, leadership insights, and efforts to empower women in male-populated fields. This episode offers practical advice for both male and female leaders.

You will learn how companies can attract and support female talent, overcome bias, and build inclusive, high-performing teams.

Listeners will also learn:

• How Dr. Gretchen Gagle overcame barriers and built a successful leadership career in the construction industry.
• Common challenges and misconceptions women face in male-dominated fields, especially construction.
• The importance of mentorship, male allies, and supportive workplace culture.
• Strategies companies and leaders can use to attract, develop, and retain female talent.
• The role of empathy, emotional intelligence, and addressing unconscious bias in leadership.
• Ways to make construction careers more accessible and appealing to women and underrepresented groups.
• Insightful stories and practical advice from Dr. Gagle’s book, “Building Women Leaders: A Blueprint for Women Thriving in Construction.”

Dr. Gagel’s Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12-plyTMBrs

In this episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk welcomes Steve Harms, General Manager at Builders FirstSource, who draws on over 40 years of experience in the building materials industry.

Steve shares his journey from humble beginnings to leading successful improvement initiatives, including the implementation of Kata teams, fostering a culture of ownership, and achieving outstanding results in safety, quality, and productivity.

Packed with practical stories, expert insights, and leadership advice, this episode offers inspiration and tools for leaders eager to build a thriving, continuously improving organization.

Listeners will gain actionable insights and real examples to help implement or enhance continuous improvement in their own organizations.

You will learn:

• The importance and mindset of continuous improvement as a daily commitment.
• The concept of employee engagement and practical ways to give employees ownership and responsibility for their work.
• Results of the Kata continuous improvement methodology in manufacturing.
• Key metrics for success: safety, quality, and productivity and how to measure and improve them.
• Recognizing early warning signs of employee disengagement and strategies to address them.
• Effective leadership practices, including the value of humility ("free yourself from ego") and building trust.
• Training and empowering leaders and teams to take initiative and drive sustained improvements.
• Adapting operations to environmental challenges, while maintaining engagement and efficiency.
• Step-by-step methods for starting small with improvement teams and scaling success within an organization.
• The value of mentorship, leadership consistency, and enjoying the journey of improvement.

Host Randy Goruk on the Leadership and Learning Podcast as he welcomes Bryan DeBois, Director of Industrial AI at RoviSys, for an insightful discussion on the transformative power of artificial intelligence in manufacturing.

Bryan shares his 25-year journey in the industry, explains how AI is revolutionizing operations—from capturing expert knowledge to enhancing safety and productivity—and addresses common misconceptions about AI’s impact on the workforce.

This episode is packed with real-world examples, practical advice, and inspiration for leaders looking to empower teams and drive innovation with AI.

You will learn:

• How artificial intelligence is transforming manufacturing processes and operations.
• Ways AI captures expert knowledge and accelerates skill development for operators.
• Real-world examples of AI improving safety, productivity, and efficiency in manufacturing.
• Strategies for balancing productivity gains with enhanced workplace safety.
• How AI solutions can be implemented while managing common fears and misconceptions.
• Insights on building ROI-driven business cases for AI initiatives.
• The evolving role and value of human workers alongside AI-driven automation.
• Practical steps companies can take to get AI-ready.
• What the future may hold for smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0

Bryan DeBois on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-debois

Company website: https://www.rovisys.com

In this episode of the Leadership in Learning podcast, host Randy Goruk welcomes Daniel McCauley, Director of Engineering and Business Development for Ultimus Engineering. They dive into the critical role of effective communication in high-performing construction and engineering teams, exploring how miscommunication can lead to costly mistakes, project delays, and safety issues.

Daniel shares insights from his diverse career; from his early passion for sports and competition to his leadership roles in large corporations and eventually founding his own engineering firm.

The conversation covers adapting communication styles for different stakeholders, the value and limitations of personality assessments, building and nurturing professional relationships, and practical strategies for improving communication within teams and across industries.

Listeners will learn:

· Actionable tips for young professionals, leaders, engineers, and anyone looking to foster stronger collaboration and more successful project outcomes.

· The critical role of effective communication in preventing costly mistakes and delays in engineering and construction projects.

· How communication styles differ among engineers, architects, contractors, and project stakeholders and why adaptability is essential.

· The value and appropriate use of personality assessments to improve team understanding and communication.

· The importance of clarifying assumptions and questions to avoid misunderstandings and errors.

· How joining organizations like Toastmasters can enhance public speaking and leadership skills.

· Practical advice for non-engineers (e.g., contractors, subcontractors) on how to communicate more effectively with technical teams.

· Common mistakes leaders make in sharing too much or too little information, and how to find the right balance.

· Why building and nurturing professional relationships is vital for career growth and project success.

· Actionable networking tactics, such as using reminders and keeping in touch intentionally, to maintain connections.

· The mindset of continuous learning and being open to feedback to improve communication outcomes.

Daniel McCaulley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielmccaulley/

Website: www.UltimusEngineering.com

Phone: 972-825-7741

In this episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk welcomes guest Dennis Schleder to discuss the realities of job searching in today’s competitive market.

Whether you’re actively seeking a new role or supporting someone who is, this episode offers actionable strategies and encouragement to help you succeed in your career journey.

You will learn:

• Practical advice on navigating the ups and downs of today’s job search.
• The importance of resilience and self-reflection during the job search process.
• How to leverage networking and personal connections to uncover job opportunities.
• Strategies for handling rejection and maintaining your motivation.
• Tips for successful video interviews.
• Lessons learned from taking roles that don’t align with personal passions or skills.
• How to balance financial needs with career fulfillment.
• Approaches for dealing with being “ghosted” by employers or recruiters.
• The impact of technology and AI on job roles.
• Advice on writing resumes.
• The value of having a trusted mentor and being open to guidance.
• Encouragement to stay positive and proactive throughout the job search journey.

Contact Dennis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-schleder/

In this episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk has an insightful conversation with leadership development expert David Graddy.

David is a leadership development expert with over 40 years of experience in retail and aerospace industries, emphasizing integrity, team growth, and effective communication as key leadership responsibilities.

He advocates for the "learn, do, mentor" approach to professional development, where individuals master tasks, become go-to experts, and then mentor others.

You will learn:

• The importance of integrity in leadership and building trust within teams.
• Why developing leaders from within is more effective than hiring externally.
• The 3 – most important responsibilities of leaders.
• The "learn, do, mentor" is an approach to professional and leadership development.
• How to identify and nurture emerging leaders in any organization.
• How to overcome challenges when transitioning from learning to doing to mentoring.
• How to provide opportunities and accountability to help your team advance in their careers.
• The challenges people face when transitioning from learning to doing, and then to mentoring?
• How leaders determine the best way people learn?
• Effective ways to teach or mentor others when you don’t feel like a natural teacher.
• Advice for someone who feels stuck in their current position.
• Steps for career advancement.
• How to avoid misunderstandings when teaching someone a new skill.
• Actions leaders in any industry can take to create an environment that encourages and supports continuous learning and growth.

Website: https://davidgraddy.com/

In this episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk visits with Lexi Engelbart, Product Manager Ergodyne. Lexi also serves as Vice Chair of the International Safety Equipment Association’s Heat Stress Product Group and is a leading expert in heat safety.

Together, they explore the serious risks of heat stress in various industries and discuss why prevention is more important than ever in today’s changing climate.

Listeners will discover the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses, practical strategies for prevention, and the latest innovations in personal protective equipment (PPE), including new technologies designed to keep workers safe and comfortable.

Lexi shares her journey into the world of safety, debunks common myths, and offers actionable advice for building a workplace culture where reporting heat stress is encouraged.

Whether you’re a safety leader, supervisor, or simply interested in protecting yourself, your employees and your loved ones from extreme heat, this episode delivers essential insights and real-world solutions for staying safe and productive in hot environments.

In this episode you will learn:

• What heat stress is and why it’s a serious safety concern in multiple industries.
• The signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses, from heat rash to heat stroke.
• The impact of heat stress on productivity, decision-making, and worker safety.
• The importance of acclimatization for new or returning workers in hot environments.
• Common myths and misconceptions about working in heat and available solutions.
• Practical prevention strategies.
• Innovations in heat mitigation products.
• How to balance comfort, durability, and cost when selecting PPE.
• The importance of building a workplace culture where workers feel comfortable reporting heat stress symptoms.
• How education and ongoing conversation are key to improving heat safety.
• The evolving landscape of heat stress prevention.
• Tips that apply not just at work, but also at home.

Website: https://www.ergodyne.com/

Lexie Engelbart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexihagler/