In this episode, Tom unpacks a deceptively simple hiring red flag: “I’m just looking for a good culture.”

It sounds harmless but it’s often a sign of vague expectations, misalignment, or reactive career moves. Tom walks through how to dig deeper in interviews, what questions to ask, and why defining culture on both sides is critical to building long-term fit.

If you’re tired of vague answers and costly mis-hires, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Leader Scout, Tom dives into one of the industry’s biggest unspoken truths: leadership roles are becoming less desirable and it’s costing teams big.

From promoting great operators without any training, to offering more pressure with barely any support, leadership in construction is often set up to fail.

Tom unpacks:

• Why skilled workers are opting out of leadership

• The hidden cost of poor leadership systems

• What good leadership should actually look like in 2025

This one’s a must-listen for anyone wondering why their best people aren’t stepping up and what to do about it.

Everyone’s blaming the labour shortage right now but the real issue? Most businesses don’t have a hiring system. They’ve got chaos.

In this episode of Leader Scout, Tom unpacks what he is seeing across construction and infrastructure:

• Good people are hard to find but not impossible

• The teams still winning? They’ve built structure. Process. Speed.

• The rest? They’re stuck in reactive mode, bleeding time and talent

I’ll walk through how we fix this at People8 and how to stop hiring like it’s 2015. If you’re still posting ads, hoping for the best, and calling it a recruitment strategy… this one’s for you.

In this episode of Leader Scout, Tom Millington challenges common misconceptions in the hiring process, emphasising that perks like fancy offices and free snacks do not equate to a strong company culture. He discusses the importance of empowerment, effective leadership, fair pay, recognition, a growth mindset, and flexibility in the workplace. Tom advocates for transparency and honesty in communicating company values and expectations to attract the right candidates and build a supportive work environment.

In this episode, Tom Millington discusses the critical elements of an effective hiring strategy in the construction and engineering industries. He emphasises the importance of communication, feedback, and speed in the hiring process, outlining how these pillars can significantly impact a company's ability to attract and retain top talent. Tom provides actionable insights for companies to improve their hiring practices and avoid common pitfalls.

In this episode, Tom Millington discusses strategies for standing out in the competitive trades and engineering job market. He emphasises the importance of a polished resume and a strong LinkedIn profile, which he describes as a live interactive resume. Tom provides practical tips on what to include and avoid on LinkedIn, highlighting the significance of professionalism and networking. He concludes by encouraging listeners to engage with the content and look forward to future episodes focused on career development.

In this episode, Tom Millington discusses how to stand out in the competitive trades and engineering job market by crafting an effective resume and LinkedIn profile. He emphasizes the importance of tailoring resumes to specific job applications, highlighting key projects, using statistics to showcase achievements, and incorporating relevant keywords. Tom also shares common mistakes to avoid, such as including unnecessary personal information and failing to keep work experience relevant. The episode concludes with final tips for creating a strong resume that captures the attention of hiring managers.

In this episode of the Leader Scout podcast, Tom Millington interviews Norm Doxanakis, who shares his extensive career journey in the mining industry, culminating in his current role as Maintenance and Engineering Manager at MMG Limited. Norm discusses his transition from a maintenance fitter to leadership roles, emphasising the importance of innovation, risk management, and trust in effective leadership. He reflects on his experiences with various companies, including Peabody, Brandrill, and Rio Tinto, and shares insights on the significance of commercial acumen and the evolving landscape of the mining industry. As he approaches retirement, Norm expresses his desire to continue contributing to the industry through consulting and pro bono work.

In this episode of the Leader Scout podcast, Brendan shares his extensive career journey in engineering, highlighting his transitions from construction to mining, and eventually into leadership roles. He discusses the importance of networking, taking on new challenges, and the value of people management in achieving success. Brendan emphasises the need for clear expectations and communication within teams, as well as the significance of understanding individual motivations to inspire and drive performance. His experiences provide valuable insights into navigating the complexities of engineering management and fostering a collaborative work environment.

In this episode of the Leader Scout podcast, Tom Millington interviews Luca Garagnani, the COO of Machine Monitor. They discuss Luca's journey from a warehouse worker in Italy to a service engineer and eventually to a leadership role in Australia. Luca shares insights on the importance of resilience, networking, and innovation in his career, particularly during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasizes the value of problem-solving and building relationships in engineering and leadership roles.