Engineer Your Success

Dr. James Bryant
  • 5.0 (33)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Expert interviews and leadership insights for engineering leaders and technical professionals who want to thrive at work and at home. Hosted by Dr. James Bryant, PhD, PE, this podcast equips you with practical strategies to strengthen leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence so you can lead with clarity and confidence. Each week features conversations with engineering leaders and industry experts—plus occasional solo insights—to help you build stronger teams, make better decisions, and design a career and life that work on your terms. Topics include: leadership development for engineers and technical professionals | effective communication and influence | work-life integration and avoiding burnout | delegation, decision-making, and team building | leading with emotional intelligence under pressure | mentorship, coaching, and professional growth. New episodes every Tuesday.

  1. 1D AGO

    Building an Engineering Firm People Like to Work with

    Episode Description: What if you could build an engineering firm where clients actually want to work with you AND top engineers want to work for you? Most firms assume you have to choose – either technical excellence or great relationships. Daniel McCaulley, founder of Ultimus Engineering, proved you can have both. In this conversation, Daniel shares how he went from corporate engineer to building a multidisciplinary firm with a radically different culture. From his “super nerd athlete” background to implementing “trust to verify” remote work policies, Daniel reveals the systems, hiring practices, and leadership principles that make Ultimus a firm people genuinely enjoy working with – on both sides of the table. If you’ve ever thought engineering has to be stagnant or dry, this episode will challenge that assumption. Whether you’re building a technical team, starting a consulting practice, or just trying to create better client relationships, you’ll walk away with practical insights on culture-building, remote team management, and why prioritizing faith and family actually strengthens your business. Key Takeaways: Why hiring for “intangible qualities” matters more than trying to train engineers in soft skills they don’t naturally have The “trust to verify” approach to remote work management that balances flexibility with accountability How offering commission-based compensation to engineers encourages business development and client-facing skills The three-tier priority framework (faith, family, work) that prevents burnout and creates sustainable business growth Why adapting your leadership style to how each person needs to be led is more effective than using one management approach for everyone Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction – The “super nerd athlete” origin story [03:52] How team sports shaped Daniel’s approach to engineering collaboration [06:06] The dark side of “if you’re not first, you’re last” and managing competitive drive [12:55] Getting uncomfortable with Toastmasters and developing soft skills [17:38] Building Ultimus: Creating a customer service-focused engineering firm [20:49] Hiring philosophy: Finding engineers who already have the intangibles [25:18] The platinum rule of leadership – treating people how THEY want to be treated [28:40] Biggest headwind to growth: Finding culture-fit engineers [30:36] Faith as the foundation: Prioritizing in three tiers [35:51] Mike flip moment: The “one thing” principle and 80-20 rule Guest Information: Daniel McCaulley, P.E. Founder, Ultimus Engineering Multidisciplinary engineering firm specializing in MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing), Aquatics Design, and Structural Engineering Website: ultimus.engineering or ultimusengineering.com Email: info@ultimusengineering.com About the Host: Dr. James Bryant is an engineering leadership coach and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. He helps technical professionals and engineering leaders win at work and win at home through a philosophy of work-life integration rather than balance. James believes that work and home don’t compete – they work together to create the integrated life you want. Website: engineeryoursuccessnow.com LinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant All links: sleek.bio/eyspod

    41 min

  2. FEB 17

    Rethinking Money for Engineers: A Conversation with Dr. Adam Link

    What happens when you’ve maxed out all your retirement accounts and followed every piece of conventional financial advice—but still aren’t sure you’re thinking about money the right way? Dr. Adam Link, founder of Fireweed Capital, brings a rare combination of Silicon Valley engineering leadership experience, multiple company exits, and deep finance expertise to challenge how technical professionals think about wealth, risk, and long-term decisions. In this conversation, Adam shares why optimizing for low fees might be costing you more than you think, how behavioral psychology sabotages even the smartest engineers during market downturns, and why your financial goals might be setting you up for disappointment. Whether you’re living paycheck to paycheck or sitting on excess wealth wondering “what’s next?”, this episode will shift how you think about the relationship between money and the life you actually want to build. Key Takeaways: Optimizing for low fees alone can cost you more than paying higher fees for better returns—it’s about net results, not minimizing costs The biggest financial mistake engineers make isn’t poor investment choices—it’s locking in losses during market downturns because they lack clarity on where they’re going Wealth without purpose becomes an endless cycle of “now what?”—defining what you want from life matters more than hitting arbitrary dollar milestones The abundance mindset isn’t just about money—it transforms how you approach career growth, time management, and resource allocation in engineering leadership “Feeling rich” doesn’t require millions—it starts when you have enough freedom to make choices aligned with what matters to you Timestamps: [00:25] Introduction [01:43] How money perspective evolves from finance to engineering leadership [05:25] What engineering leadership teaches about resource allocation and human emotions [10:28] The “I’ve done everything I’ve been told, now what?” challenge [12:20] Why you shouldn’t let the tax tail wag the income dog [14:50] The fee optimization trap engineers fall into [18:43] The $200,000 red number: Why psychology matters more than strategy [23:00] The third entrée story: When Adam first felt rich [26:28] Coach in Your Corner: What are you optimizing for? Guest Information: Name: Dr. Adam Link, Founder of Fireweed Capital Connect: fireweedcapital.com | adam@fireweedcapital.com About the Host: Dr. James Bryant is an engineering leadership coach and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. He helps technical professionals and engineering leaders make intentional decisions about how they lead, work, and live—so success in one domain strengthens the other. Learn more at engineeryoursuccessnow.com.

    27 min

  3. FEB 10

    Strategic Skills Not Soft Skills, The New Currency for Engineering Success | EP 231

    Episode Description What happens when the technical skills that fueled your early career stop producing the same results? In this episode, Dr. James Bryant is joined by Dr. Bushra Khan, professor at the University of Ottawa and leadership coach for tech and engineering leaders, to explore why so many engineers hit an invisible career ceiling five to ten years into their careers. This isn’t about working harder or sharpening technical expertise. It’s about recognizing that the role has changed — and the skills required to grow have changed with it. Dr. Khan shares a powerful real-world example of a VP who helped build a company from four people to more than 400, only to be let go years later because he couldn’t make the shift from technical expert to people leader. Together, James and Bushra unpack why terms like “soft skills” miss the mark, how leadership effectiveness depends on understanding how others experience work differently than you do, and why emotional intelligence is better understood as a strategic leadership discipline, not a personality trait. This conversation is for engineers and technical leaders who feel capable, committed, and driven — but sense that something has changed in how advancement works. If your effort no longer translates into momentum, this episode will help you understand why — and where to start. Key Takeaways Career growth often stalls not because performance declines, but because leadership expectations quietly shift Emotional intelligence plays a critical role in leadership effectiveness, particularly as engineers move into people leadership roles Micromanagement is frequently a coaching gap — leaders struggle to transfer what’s in their head to others “My hard isn’t your hard” — effective leadership requires understanding that others experience challenge differently than you did Global future-of-work research consistently points to strategic capabilities like decision-making, influence, and self-awareness as essential for senior leadership A practical starting point: choose one leadership competency, prepare intentional questions before difficult conversations, and externalize your thinking to reduce stress-driven reactions Timestamps [00:24] Introduction — Why some engineers plateau while others break through [01:17] Dr. Bushra Khan’s background — Professor, speaker, and leadership coach [02:30] The “styrofoam wall” — why smart technical leaders get stuck [03:49] Real story — a VP let go after 15 years: “I don’t know how to teach what’s in my brain” [06:59] Why senior leaders fear saying “I don’t know” [08:15] What emotional intelligence really is — and what it isn’t [15:23] Why “soft skills” is an outdated and misleading label [22:07] A mindset shift — “If I can do it, you can do it too” [23:09] Leadership and parenting parallel — “My hard isn’t your hard” [27:03] Understanding the “why” behind behavior and resistance [29:36] Practical homework — applying one leadership competency intentionally [34:34] Host reflection — how leadership expectations have evolved [36:09] Coach in Your Corner — navigating the career ceiling Guest Information Dr. Bushra Khan Professor, Speaker, and Leadership Coach Professor at the University of Ottawa (MBA & Engineering Management Programs) Leadership coach for technical and engineering leaders Focus areas: leadership development, emotional intelligence, team performance Connect with Dr. Khan: Website: https://leadingwithbk.com LinkedIn: Dr. Bushra Khan Instagram: @LeadingWithBK What “BK” stands for: Leading with Bravery and Kindness About the Host Dr. James Bryant is an engineering leadership coach and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. He works with engineers and technical leaders to strengthen leadership effectiveness, communication, and decision-making across the full span of their careers. Through coaching, consulting, and conversations with industry leaders, James helps professionals design sustainable success at work while maintaining clarity and stability at home. Learn more at EngineerYourSuccessNow.com or connect with James on LinkedIn.

  4. FEB 3

    Your Work IS Your Reputation: Building a Successful Career with Leslie North | EP230

    Episode Description: What if the secret to career advancement wasn’t networking or resume building—but simply doing excellent work right in front of you? In this conversation, nationally recognized lighting designer and electrical engineer Leslie North shares how she built Aurora Lighting Design from a home office into a thriving firm with offices in the Chicago Board of Trade—all through word-of-mouth reputation. Leslie opens up about the painful growth edges of hiring your first employee, the power of being accessible to your family, and why she took pay cuts on her team during COVID rather than letting anyone go. Whether you’re navigating technical leadership, considering entrepreneurship, or simply trying to show up authentically in your career, this episode offers hard-won wisdom about building a reputation through excellence. Connect with Leslie North on LinkedIn, and discover why your work truly is your reputation. Key Takeaways: Your best marketing strategy is doing excellent work on the job in front of you—repeat clients who trust you become gold, and people remember those who did well by them. The first employee is the most daunting growth edge because you’re no longer just protecting your own reputation—you’re creating a work family that requires thinking about HR, benefits, and emotional dynamics Be authentic and willing to be vulnerable in appropriate contexts—it gives people the opportunity to be gracious and develop deeper relationships in a world full of marketing slogans Know what you want your reputation to be, then make all decisions contribute to that—a good reputation takes a long time to build and a bad one takes one minute For early-career professionals: initiate relationships with people you admire and become someone more seasoned professionals would find useful, because mentors give opportunities to those they trust Timestamps: [00:24] Introduction and Leslie’s journey into architectural lighting [04:21] Starting Aurora Lighting Design: The accessibility decision [08:21] Your work IS your reputation: Building through excellence [16:21] Leadership growth edges: Hiring, mentoring, and letting go [26:44] What do you want to be known for? Defining your reputation [29:09] The COVID decision: Keeping the team together [36:13] Leslie turns the tables: Interviewing James [41:03] Coach in Your Corner: Presence over time Guest Information: Name: Leslie North, Lighting Designer, Electrical Engineer, Founder of Aurora Lighting Design Leslie North | LinkedIn About the Host: James Bryant, Ph.D., P.E. is an engineering leadership coach and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. He helps engineering leaders and technical professionals design and live a life where they can win at work and win at home. Through his coaching practice and podcast, James provides practical frameworks for leadership development, career transitions, and intentional decision-making. Connect with James on LinkedIn or visit engineeryoursuccessnow.com.

    43 min

  5. JAN 27

    Selling Without Feeling Salesy: Making the Leap to Seller-Doer

    Episode Description: What happens when an engineer who’s great at solving technical problems suddenly gets told they need to sell? For many technical professionals, the shift from “doer” to “seller-doer” is one of the hardest transitions in their career. In this episode, Jessica Nuncio—VP of Business Development and Marketing at Naranjo Civil Constructors with nearly 20 years of experience—breaks down exactly how to make that leap without feeling salesy or inauthentic. Jessica shares her unconventional journey from receptionist to estimator to leading business development, the MATCH framework she developed to make BD feel natural for technical professionals, and the hard lessons she learned about burnout, boundaries, and what it really takes to win at work and at home. If you’ve ever felt stuck between technical expertise and business development, this conversation will show you how to bridge that gap. Listen now and discover how to turn relationship-building into your competitive advantage. Key Takeaways: Business development doesn’t mean becoming “salesy”—it’s about shifting from doer to connector and blending your technical credibility with genuine curiosity about helping clients succeed The MATCH framework (Market research, Attract authentically, Time and trust, Connect and close, Hone and harmony) provides a practical roadmap for technical professionals to approach BD systematically Burnout warning signs show up in your body, sleep, and emotions long before they show up on your calendar—learning to pause and evaluate priorities is essential for sustainable success Success isn’t about climbing the ladder; it’s about building bridges that others can cross—investing in mentorship and sponsorship creates lasting impact beyond individual achievement Your unique differences (including being a woman in construction, a minority, or simply approaching problems differently) can be your greatest strength when you lead with authenticity instead of trying to fit in Timestamps: [00:00] Cold open: Why engineers freeze when asked to sell [00:34] Introduction: The seller-doer challenge for technical professionals [01:55] Why engineers freeze and what makes them uncomfortable [05:31] The MATCH framework for business development [08:08] Jessica’s journey: First-gen college student to VP of Business Development [11:15] From receptionist to estimating coordinator in three months [16:28] Discovering the passion for business development [19:07] Recognizing burnout: 3000% growth and the personal cost [21:37] Setting boundaries: Learning to pause before saying yes [25:51] Mentorship, leadership, and empowering women in construction [29:22] Being a woman in construction: The “mandatory” meeting story [34:12] Success is about building bridges, not climbing ladders [36:00] Coach in Your Corner: What is your body telling you? Guest Information: Jessica Nuncio Vice President of Business Development & Marketing Naranjo Civil Constructors Connect on LinkedIn: Jessica Nuncio | LinkedIn About the Host: Dr. James Bryant is an engineering leadership coach and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. He works with engineering and technical leaders who want to win at work and win at home. James helps leaders make intentional decisions about how they lead, work, and live, so success in one domain strengthens the other over time. His approach emphasizes clarity, responsibility, and long-term integrity—acknowledging the effort and trade-offs leadership requires while rejecting the assumption that success must come at the expense of family, health, or presence. Connect with James on LinkedIn or visit www.eysnow.com

    37 min

  6. JAN 20

    Closing the Surveying Workforce Gap with Dustin Gardner

    Episode Description: What happens when half of an entire profession retires within a few years? Dustin Gardner, a fourth-generation surveyor, is facing that reality head-on. The average licensed land surveyor is now in their early 60s, and the industry is racing against time to train the next generation before decades of expertise walks out the door. In this conversation, Dustin pulls back the curtain on a profession that touches every construction project, property transaction, and development—yet remains deeply misunderstood. From the hidden work that happens before anyone steps foot on a site, to lifetime liability that follows every stamp, to why vampire folklore matters to modern surveying, this episode reveals why attracting new talent means changing how we tell the story. Whether you’re in civil engineering, construction, or leadership, you’ll walk away with fresh perspective on workforce development, cross-generational knowledge transfer, and how family businesses can be a retention advantage rather than a limitation. Key Takeaways: The surveying profession is losing half its licensed professionals to retirement in the next few years, with the average license holder now in their early 60s—creating an urgent need to train the next generation while mentorship is still available. Surveyors carry lifetime liability for every job they stamp—meaning they can be sued for their very first project at their retirement party—yet the profession hasn’t kept pace with inflation on pricing since 2000. The biggest misconception about surveying is that the fieldwork is the work, when in reality, days of courthouse research, calculations, and post-field analysis happen before and after the visible hour on site. Family businesses offer a competitive advantage in retention because people who feel like family at work are more likely to stay, creating natural pathways for the next generation to enter the profession. Reframing surveying from “working in the dirt” to “solving complex problems outdoors with history, math, and law” can attract a new generation who wants intellectual challenge without being desk-bound. Timestamps: [00:24] Introduction – The talent shortage across engineering industries [01:16] The aging crisis in surveying – Half the profession retiring soon [02:17] What surveyors actually do (beyond boundary lines) [06:10] Misconceptions about surveying work and pricing [11:30] Strategies for attracting the next generation [16:45] Why family businesses can be a retention advantage [25:23] Surveying folklore – The boundary pusher vampire [28:07] Leadership advice for introverts in technical professions [29:57] Coach in Your Corner – You are bound by what you define Guest Information: Name: Dustin Gardner, Fourth-Generation Land Surveyor Connect: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-gardner-rls-292781220/ Instagram: @the_superstitious_surveyor About the Host: Dr. James Bryant is an engineering leadership coach and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. He works with engineering and technical leaders who want to win at work and win at home. James helps leaders make intentional decisions about how they lead, work, and live, so success in one domain strengthens the other over time. His approach emphasizes clarity, responsibility, and long-term integrity—acknowledging the effort and trade-offs leadership requires while rejecting the assumption that success must come at the expense of family, health, or presence. Connect with James on LinkedIn or visit www.eysnow.com

    32 min

  7. JAN 13

    Crucial Conversations That Drive Project Outcomes

    Episode Description: What if the biggest risk to your project isn’t technical—it’s conversational? Most engineering projects fail not because of flawed plans or inadequate technology, but because teams aren’t having the right conversations about trust, coordination, and care. In this episode, Jason Klous, Principal at Midion with over 30 years in complex construction projects, reveals the Language Action Perspective—a framework that transforms how teams communicate and coordinate. Jason shares why the most technically skilled people often struggle with the most critical conversations, how to rebuild trust when it’s broken, and the surprising power of assessments delivered with care. Whether you’re leading a multi-million dollar construction project or navigating difficult conversations at home, this episode will change how you think about communication as the foundation of success. Key Takeaways: The missing conversations kill projects: Technically sound projects fail when teams don’t discuss trust, psychological safety, and coordination—not because of poor planning or inadequate software. Trust has specific domains: When trust breaks down, identify whether the issue is reliability, competence, or sincerity. Once you know which domain is lacking, you can develop a targeted plan to rebuild it. Moods are contagious and foundational: Teams fall into moods unconsciously, and those moods influence listening, trust, and coordination. Identifying and shifting moods can transform project outcomes. Assessments strengthen relationships when delivered with care: The most difficult feedback, when delivered to improve the relationship (not damage it), often brings relief and reveals more about the person delivering it than the person receiving it. Write it down before difficult conversations: To avoid “talking around” the issue, write down what you need to say. This helps you be more direct while maintaining care and candor. Timestamps: [00:51] Introduction – The story teams tell themselves [01:52] Why technically sound projects fail [05:08] The Language Action Perspective explained [09:04] Real-world example: $250M wastewater project turnaround [15:47] The four domains of trust [19:23] Understanding moods vs. emotions [24:30] How to deliver assessments with care [32:25] Having difficult conversations at home [37:03] Coach in Your Corner Guest Information: Name: Jason Klous, Ph.D., Principal at Midion Expertise: Language Action Perspective, Lean Construction, Integrated Project Delivery, Team Coordination Connect: jklous@midion.com | https://midion.com LinkedIn: Jason Klous, PhD | LinkedIn Resources Mentioned: About the Host: Dr. James Bryant is an engineering leadership coach and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. He helps technical professionals and engineering leaders develop the human skills that drive career success—from communication and influence to strategic thinking and team leadership. Connect with James on LinkedIn or visit [website] to learn more about engineering your success. Join the Community 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

    40 min

  8. JAN 6

    Navigating Leadership and Mental Health in the Construction Industry with Heath Troyer | EP 226

    Episode Description: What happens when a construction leader decides that building people matters more than building projects? In this episode of the Engineer Your Success Podcast Heath Troyer—fourth-generation contractor, business owner, and national mental health advocate—opens up about the hidden crisis facing construction leaders today: managing projects has become easier than leading whole humans. Heath and James explore why so many leaders still operate from a “leave yourself in the parking lot” mentality, how self-awareness transforms leadership, and why building systems that build people starts with leaders being willing to do their own work first. This conversation doesn’t just challenge how we think about leadership in construction—it challenges how we show up as leaders in every area of life. If you’ve ever felt the weight of leading while carrying your own unspoken struggles, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways: Leadership in construction (and beyond) is shifting from “employee at work” to leading the “whole self”—but most leaders lack the tools to make this transition effectively Self-awareness is the foundation of effective leadership: leaders must run toward therapy, mental health resources, and personal growth first before they can truly support their teams Building systems that build people requires continuous check-ins to understand what motivates each person at their current life stage—not just what serves the company agenda Your worth isn’t measured by your accomplishments; high performers often run toward achievement while running from a foundational belief that they’re “not enough” Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:41    Leadership challenges: managing projects vs. leading people 08:25 Self-awareness as the foundation of leadership 14:23   Community impact and giving back 17:13    Heath’s personal journey and mental health advocacy 25:23 What engineering your success really means 29:12   Your worth is not measured by your works 31:43   Coach in Your Corner and closing prayer About Heath Troyer: Heath Troyer is a fourth-generation construction leader, business owner, and national advocate for mental health in the trades. With over 25 years of experience in roles from carpenter to Senior Project Manager, Director of Field Operations, and Director of Corporate Safety, Heath now owns Troyer Construction Services, specializing in non-profit work including grant-funded home modifications and attainable housing for underserved communities through partnerships with organizations like Neighborhood Link. As a suicide survivor, Heath works nationally with the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP) and provides mental health support through YMCA childcare services. He speaks openly about leadership, self-awareness, and creating workplace cultures where people can bring their whole selves to work. His leadership philosophy is simple: we can build more than buildings—we can build people. Connect with Heath on Facebook at Heath Troyer or through Troyer Construction Services. Connect on LinkedIn: Heath Troyer Resources Mentioned: CIASP – Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention – https://www.preventconstructionsuicide.com About the Host: Dr. James Bryant is an executive leadership coach who helps engineering leaders and technical professionals win at work and at home. Through his Engineer Your Success coaching program, he guides high-performing professionals to build careers and lives aligned with their deepest values—without burning out in the process. Connect with James at engineeryoursuccessnow.com. Join the Community 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

    17 min
See All (236)

5
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

Expert interviews and leadership insights for engineering leaders and technical professionals who want to thrive at work and at home. Hosted by Dr. James Bryant, PhD, PE, this podcast equips you with practical strategies to strengthen leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence so you can lead with clarity and confidence. Each week features conversations with engineering leaders and industry experts—plus occasional solo insights—to help you build stronger teams, make better decisions, and design a career and life that work on your terms. Topics include: leadership development for engineers and technical professionals | effective communication and influence | work-life integration and avoiding burnout | delegation, decision-making, and team building | leading with emotional intelligence under pressure | mentorship, coaching, and professional growth. New episodes every Tuesday.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. James Bryant
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    236
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Engineer Your Success