Soft As Steel

Dennis welcomes Deb Coviello this week. They discuss the construction industry and the importance of soft skills in the workplace. Deborah shares her insights and experiences from her involvement in the industry through her husband and daughter's boyfriend. They emphasize the need for compassionate leadership, effective communication, and understanding in the construction field. The conversation also touches on challenges and opportunities in working with different generations and the underrepresentation of women in the industry. Deborah advocates for treating women as equals and creating a safe environment for them to thrive. The episode concludes with praise for Deborah's expertise and communication skills, leaving listeners wanting more.

In this podcast episode, the host, Dennis Duran, introduces his guest, Roberta Ndlela, and they discuss the importance of soft skills and effective communication in the workplace. Roberta shares her career journey and emphasizes the need for engineers to develop their soft skills, as they are often promoted based on technical abilities but struggle with communication and management skills. They also discuss the challenges faced by engineers in South Africa during the transition from apartheid. The conversation then shifts to the topics of diversity and inclusion, self-awareness, and the significance of speaking up and being authentic in professional settings.

In this episode of the Soft as Steel podcast, host Dennis Doran welcomes Maurice Thibodeau as his guest. They discuss the importance of soft skills, such as love, social justice, inclusion, and compassionate leadership, in both personal and professional lives. Maurice, with a background in the construction industry, explains that these topics transcend industry boundaries and are crucial for the industry's evolution. They also address the alarming rate of suicide in the construction industry and the need for emotional growth and tough conversations. Maurice shares his role as the Chief Illumination Officer at Illumination Experiences, offering coaching and therapy to help individuals break through emotional barriers.

This week, host Dennis Doran interviews Chris Bagatelos, the founder and CEO of Bagatelos Architectural Glass Systems. They discuss the importance of people in business and creating a culture of respect and character. Chris emphasizes the value of treating people with respect and making each other better. They also talk about the challenges and opportunities in the glazing trade, leadership within Bagatelos' organization, and the impact of generational transitions and migrations on the business. They highlight the significance of inclusion, love, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence in creating a successful business culture. Listeners are encouraged to check out Dennis Doran's book, "Soft as Steel," and subscribe to the Soft as Steel podcast for more insightful conversations.

Dennis Doran has as his guest Jeff Perry, the host of the Engineering Career Coach podcast. They discuss the importance of employee connection in the workplace and its impact on individual well-being and organizational success. They highlight the health risks and economic costs associated with loneliness and lack of connection. Leadership is emphasized as crucial in fostering a culture of connection, with leaders needing to lead by example and prioritize the well-being of their team members. The importance of connection at all levels of the organization is emphasized, along with the significance of self-awareness, soft skills, curiosity, inclusion, and diversity in leadership. The episode concludes with the suggestion for leaders to ask questions to gain awareness of themselves and their team members.

In this podcast episode, host Dennis Doran interviews Wayne Crew, a veteran in the engineering and construction industry. They discuss the qualities that make leaders in the industry stand out, such as integrity, ethics, and commitment to excellence. Wayne also addresses the challenges facing the construction industry, including the shortage of skilled workers and the need for mental wellness initiatives. They highlight the role of leaders in addressing these challenges, with examples of industry pioneers prioritizing mental wellness. Wayne emphasizes the importance of scope definition in construction projects and the potential for technology to improve this process. The episode concludes with gratitude and promotion of Dennis Duran's book on activating soft skills in the workplace.

Dennis Doran welcomes guest Bruce Orr, founder and chief data scientist at Pronovos Construction Analytics. Despite Bruce's expertise in construction analytics, Dennis explains that his work is crucial in the industry and aligns with the podcast's focus on love, inclusion, social justice, and compassionate leadership. They discuss Bruce's perspective on these topics, emphasizing the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Bruce also shares insights on decision-making, the use of data in understanding the bigger picture, and the need for empathy and open-mindedness in social justice issues. They conclude by discussing emotional intelligence and the importance of mental and emotional well-being in leadership.

Dennis Doran interviews Nitin Govila, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Search Ferrari Group. They discuss the importance of soft skills in leadership and how they impact the construction industry. They emphasize the need for compassion, empathy, and mindfulness in leadership to create nurturing environments that foster innovation. They also explore the role of culture, diversity, and inclusion in the construction industry. The conversation shifts to the role of love and self-awareness in finding inner peace and clarity, with a focus on the practice of meditation. Speaker 3 shares personal experiences and encourages others to start their own meditation practice.

In this episode, host Dennis Doran introduces his guest Pierre Quinn, a renowned leader and speaker. They discuss the importance of relationships in happiness and success, highlighting the impact of strong connections on overall well-being. They also emphasize the power of love and positive energy in serving others and building long-term relationships. The conversation touches on the complexities of change, inclusion, and social justice. Pierre challenges age as a barrier to learning new skills and shares an exercise he conducted with executive leaders. The episode concludes with a message of self-awareness and self-leadership for making a positive impact.

Do you work in the construction industry? Do you feel like you're just a number, a commodity to be used up and replaced? In this episode of the Soft as Steel podcast, host Dennis Duran and guest Teresa Magnus discuss the importance of valuing individuals in the construction industry and attracting and retaining talent. Magnus, an accountant and lawyer with over 23 years of experience in the industry, notes that historically, the industry has treated individuals like commodities, overlooking their importance. She suggests that the industry needs to evaluate its empirical data and move away from long work hours and 6-7 day workweeks, which decrease productivity and are unattractive to potential talent. The conversation also touches on the significance of soft skills in the workplace and the need to prioritize them. Listen in to learn more about how the construction industry can create a psychologically safe workplace and prioritize the well-being of its employees.