Engineer Your Success

Dr. James Bryant
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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. 5D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 12/30/2025

    The Evolution of an Entrepreneur Making it up as you go with Amrit Dhaliwal

    Episode Overview (EP 225) Struggling to find real success while juggling work and a personal life? In this uplifting episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant speaks with Amrit Dhaliwal, a driven entrepreneur who mastered the art of ‘making it up as he goes’—and still built and sold multiple businesses across diverse industries. Hear how Amrit transformed setbacks into million-pound wins, redesigned home care in the UK, and learned the keys to integrating life, family, and fierce ambition. Perfect for business owners, engineering leaders, and anyone searching for success and fulfillment. He shares his evolution from deli owner to UK franchise leader, revealing actionable success strategies for entrepreneurs, business owners, and engineering leaders. Learn about work-life integration, building winning teams, leadership techniques, cash flow management, redefining home care, balancing priorities, and creating a meaningful business while living a fulfilled personal life. Engineer Your Success helps you thrive in every aspect. 🧭 What You’ll Learn Building businesses without waiting for perfect clarity Learning through action instead of overplanning Reframing challenges into actions, delegation, or deferral How open loops create unnecessary mental load Why not everything that feels heavy is a “problem” How intentional decision-making supports presence at home 🔩 Episode Highlights 00:00 – Episode context and opening reflections 01:47 – From delis to home care: Amrit’s entrepreneurial path 03:45 – Learning through action and early challenges 08:35 – Work, family, and shifting priorities 12:08 – Mentorship and surrounding yourself with the right people 18:19 – Communication lessons from marriage and leadership 31:18 – Focus, decision-making, and closing the problem loop 32:37 – Coach in Your Corner: Practical Episode Insights with Dr. James Bryant Guest: Amrit Dhaliwal is the founder and CEO of Walfinch, a national home care franchise disrupting the UK industry. Renowned for building and selling businesses from scratch, Amrit is passionate about leadership, systematizing success, and inspiring entrepreneurs to live with purpose. Host: Dr. James Bryant is an engineering leadership coach and entrepreneur dedicated to helping technical professionals win at work and at home. With real-world experience in business growth and executive mentorship, he delivers practical insights for intentional leadership and fulfillment. 🔗 Connect With Amrit LinkedIn: Amrit Dhaliwal Podcast: Walking with Walfinch Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@walfinchltd Instagram: @amritwolfinch Grab Amrit’s book: “Time to Thrive, the Home Care Revolution” on Amazon (all proceeds to the Care Workers charity UK) 🎧 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 🌟 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

    34 min

  7. 12/23/2025

    How to Navigate Career Transitions and Family

    🎧 Episode Overview (EP 224) Career paths in engineering are rarely linear—and the decisions that shape our work often ripple into our home lives in ways we don’t always anticipate. In this episode, Dr. James Bryant sits down with Eli May, an engineer who responded to an open call for podcast conversations shared in the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) forum. Eli brings a thoughtful, grounded perspective shaped by career transitions, adaptability, and seasons where work played very different roles. Rather than focusing on fast-track career advice, this conversation explores what it looks like to navigate change honestly—starting over when needed, building a strong foundation, and making career decisions that don’t happen in isolation from family life. If you’re an engineer or technical professional navigating transitions, questioning the “right” path, or rethinking how work fits into your life in this season, this episode will resonate. 🧭 What You’ll Learn Why non-linear career paths are more common than we admit How adaptability becomes a long-term advantage in engineering careers The pressure of fast-track thinking—and why it can be misleading How the role of work can shift across different stages of life Why career and time decisions shouldn’t be made in a vacuum The importance of involving family when priorities and work demands change 🔩 Episode Highlights 00:00 – Welcome and episode context 01:45 – Eli’s background and early career journey 04:30 – Navigating non-linear career transitions 08:19 – Advice to a younger engineer 09:16 – Career choices and personal motivation 10:09 – Work, family, and shifting priorities 12:45 – Family involvement in decision-making 15:30 – Closing reflections 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: Eli May 🎧 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 🌟 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

    16 min

  8. 12/16/2025

    Failure as Feedback: A Better Way to Learn and Lead

    🎧 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

    8 min
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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
    233
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Engineer Your Success