Engineer Your Success

Leslie North built her lighting design firm entirely through word-of-mouth—architects she worked with 15 years ago still call her. Her secret? Doing excellent work on every job in front of her, not chasing the next opportunity.

In this episode, Leslie shares how she navigated painful leadership growth edges, kept her team together during COVID, and discovered that presence matters more than time. Hard-won wisdom for technical professionals who want to build careers of both excellence and integrity.

Discover why your work is your reputation.

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—shares her unconventional journey from receptionist to leading business development, why engineers freeze when asked to sell, and how to make that transition without losing your authenticity.

"Once I stamp that document, I've bought liability for the rest of my life. I could be cutting the cake at my retirement party and get sued for the first job I ever did. We've been doing the same survey for $1,500 since 2000 and we haven't really upped our prices. So we're not rising with inflation, but you're buying that liability and that work for a pretty cheap price comparatively."

— Dustin Gardner, Fourth-Generation Land Surveyor

Most engineering projects don't fail because of technical problems—they fail because teams aren't having the right conversations.

In Episode 227, Jason Klous, Ph.D., Principal at Midion, reveals the Language Action Perspective: a framework for understanding how trust, moods, and coordination actually work on high-performing technical teams. Jason shares why the most technically skilled people often struggle with crucial conversations, how to identify which domain of trust is broken (reliability, competence, or sincerity), and practical strategies for having difficult conversations with both care and candor.

If you lead technical teams or complex projects, this episode will transform how you think about communication as the foundation of project success.

Listen now: sleek.bio/eyspod

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 people08:25 Self-awareness as the foundation of leadership14:23   Community impact and giving back17:13    Heath's personal journey and mental health advocacy25:23 What engineering your success really means29:12   Your worth is not measured by your works31:43   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.

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

Podcast Hub: sleekbio.com/eyspodLinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant

In Episode 225 of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant sits down with entrepreneur Amrit Dhaliwal to explore the evolution of his journey—from running Italian delis to leading a home care franchise in the UK.

Rather than waiting for perfect clarity, Amrit shares how learning through action shaped his approach to business, leadership, and life. The conversation touches on work-life integration, intentional decision-making, and reframing challenges so they don’t become unnecessary obstacles.

Listeners will gain practical insight into building and scaling businesses, leading teams effectively, and surrounding themselves with people who strengthen—not drain—them. This episode is especially relevant for leaders and entrepreneurs who want to grow professionally without losing sight of what matters most at home.

In Episode 224, Dr. James Bryant converses with engineer Eli May about the non-linear nature of engineering careers and its impact on personal life. They discuss the importance of adaptability, the drawbacks of fast-track career thinking, and the necessity of considering family in career decisions. The episode encourages engineers navigating transitions to embrace change, rethink work-life balance, and recognize that career paths often require starting over and making decisions that reflect personal values and family dynamics.

In episode 223 of the Engineer Your Success Podcast, Dr. James Bryant emphasizes the importance of learning from failure instead of avoiding it. He introduces the concept of the Failure Resume as a practical framework to turn setbacks into growth opportunities. The episode discusses analyzing failures without blame, the difference between being right and being effective, and applying root-cause thinking to leadership challenges. Utilizing real-world examples, Bryant illustrates how lessons from professional experiences can enhance personal life and vice versa, encouraging leaders to extract insights for improved clarity.

In Episode 222 of the podcast, Dr. James Bryant presents a thoughtful approach to year-end reviews for engineering leaders. Rather than merely assessing unmet goals, he encourages leaders to examine hidden wins that signify growth. The episode discusses three essential questions that foster clarity and reflection, enabling a more compassionate review process. It emphasizes the value of recognizing “mini milestones” and conducting a Success Autopsy to understand effective strategies. Ultimately, this episode serves as a guide to setting goals based on insights and positive progress, rather than pressure, for the upcoming year.

In Episode 221, Dr. James Bryant interviews Dr. Gretchen Gagel, founder of Women Thriving in Construction Global Institute, about inclusion in the construction and engineering industries. Gagel shares her 40 years of leadership experience, discussing the challenges women face and practical allyship strategies. The conversation covers topics like burnout, the impact of dominant culture, and how to foster authentic leadership and a supportive workplace. Listeners are encouraged to lead with empathy and create inclusive environments for all.