The Leadership and Learning Podcast

Hosted by Randy Goruk

BusinessInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

167

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

About the show

The Leadership and Learning Podcast is a professional development resource for the building materials industry. The target audience is for all levels of leaders in any industry. However, it is definitely the podcast for you if you're an emerging leader or involved in managing / leading anyone in the building material industry. You will benefit from this podcast if you're in manufacturing, distribution, sales, accounting, human resources, customer service or technical support or active. Industry associations, college and high school students will also benefit from the lessons shared in this podcast. We will bring you an abundance of valuable leadership content. We'll do this by bringing you recorded conversations on leadership lessons and insights from various building material industry leaders, industry legends and subject matter experts. On occasion, the host, Randy Goruk will share his leadership experiences and expertise by offering you relevant and actionable leadership tips to elevate your individual and team's performance. The Leadership and Learning Podcast is all about helping you become a more effective leader by learning from others in the building material industry.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 3, 2026Episode 16734 min

Episode #167 – Making Safety Happen with Safety Expert and Author Brian Fielkow

In this episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk talks with safety expert and author Brian Fielkow about why sustainable workplace safety is fundamentally a leadership and culture issue, not just a compliance exercise. Drawing on his experience leading high‑hazard operations and his new book Making Safety Happen, Brian explains how the best organizations move beyond policies and inspections to create environments where employees choose to work safely because they know leadership genuinely cares about them. Listeners will discover: The critical difference between compliance and a living safety culture Why safety must be treated as a core value, not a shifting priority The pivotal role of frontline supervisors in translating policy into real-world behavior How leaders unintentionally undermine safety Practical ways to build credibility, communication, and accountability without creating fear How to address a "we've always done it this way" mindset How to spot perception gaps between executives and frontline workers. How to create accountability without fear Brian's website: https://brianfielkow.com/ Brian's email address: brian@brianfielkow.com Brian's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfielkow/ Randy's 5-Day Safety Leadership Challenge: https://leadersedge360.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/5-Day-Challenge-1.pdf

May 28, 2026Episode 16610 min

Episode #166 – Winning in a Slow Market with Randy Goruk

In this solo episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast, Randy Goruk shares practical leadership insights for navigating a slow market in the building materials and construction industry. As projects slow down, margins tighten, and competition intensifies, many organizations fall into reactive thinking. Randy challenges leaders to think differently. Instead of lowering prices, defending volume, or relying on customer entertainment, he explains why the real opportunity during difficult markets is gaining market share. Drawing on more than 40 years of leadership experience, Randy discusses: • why markets slow down • how manufacturers and distributors typically react • the dangers of price-driven thinking • why most companies fail to properly measure market share • strategic questions leaders should ask customers right now • how to become more valuable during uncertain times This episode is a practical discussion about leadership, strategy, customer value, and long-term thinking during challenging business conditions. Key Takeaways: • Slow markets expose weak leadership and weak value propositions • Lowering price is often a reaction, not a strategy • Market share should become a major leadership focus during difficult markets • Strong customer relationships are built by helping customers grow • Strategic questions create better customer conversations than pricing discussions • Leaders who think ahead outperform leaders who simply react If you're a leader in construction, distribution, manufacturing, or building materials, this episode will challenge how you think about winning in a slow market.

May 20, 2026Episode 16535 min

Episode #165 – Leadership Begins with Being a Great Teammate with Eric "Coach Rev" Reveno, James C. Gaither Associate Head Coach and General Manager for Stanford Men's Basketball

In this episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk sits down with Eric "Coach Rev" Reveno, James C. Gaither Associate Head Coach and General Manager for Stanford Men's Basketball, to discuss why great leaders often emerge from great teammates. Drawing on three decades of Division I coaching experience, Coach Rev shares practical insights on leadership, authenticity, accountability, relationships, and team culture that easily apply to construction, manufacturing, building materials, and business environments. Listen to this episode and you will learn: • The attributes of great leaders and coaches • Why authenticity matters more than copying leadership styles • The difference between being senior and being a great teammate • How leaders shape culture through standards and behavior • Practical ways to strengthen teamwork immediately Coach Rev also introduces his STORM framework for great teammates: • Showing Up • Taking Care of Relationships • Owning Your Own Power • Raising Up Others • Maintaining a Mission Focus Whether you lead a crew, project, department, or organization, this episode will challenge you to rethink leadership as a commitment to serving and strengthening the team around you. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-reveno-3b5a985/ Website: https://gostanford.com/sports/mens-basketball

April 22, 2026Episode 16433 min

Episode #164 – Adapting to the Changing Construction Industry with Ed DeAngelis, CEO EDA Contractors, Inc.

In this episode, host Randy Goruk has a conversation with Ed DeAngelis, CEO of EDA Contractors, about how construction leaders can evolve from old school, command-and-control styles to adapt to a people-first, emotionally intelligent approach. Ed shares his personal journey from grinder and stress overload to servant leader and explains why he now treats humanity as a strategy investing in emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and holistic worker experiences as core business drivers, not "soft" add-ons. Listeners will also learn: Why traditional "old school" command-and-control leadership is rapidly losing effectiveness in today's construction workforce. What "humanity as a strategy" is all about. How emotional intelligence applies to construction. Specific ways to create psychologically safe job sites where people feel respected, heard, and valued. Practical first steps for old school leaders such as pausing and breathing before reacting. How focusing on people can still drive safety, profitability, and performance. How to introduce emotional intelligence into a skeptical culture. The connection between leadership and the current labor shortage. How better leadership can help attract and retain workers. What younger workers are looking for today. The role of growth mindset and continuous learning. A vision of the future of construction. Website: https://www.edacontractors.com/ Ed DeAngelis LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwarddeangelis/

April 16, 2026Episode 16329 min

Episode #163 – Actions Leaders Can Take to Attract, Recruit, Retain Women in Construction with Andrea Piering, President, Sun State Builders

In this episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk sits down with Andrea Piering, President of Sun State Builders, to explore how leaders can better attract, recruit, and retain women in construction. Listeners will learn: How Andrea Piering went from working job sites as a teenager to becoming President of Sun State Builders Why construction can be a fulfilling and creative career path for women, even if they didn't grow up around it How schools and industry messaging can change misconceptions that construction is only dirty, outdoor, "in the hot sun" work The wide variety of roles women can have in construction Common misconceptions women have about entering construction and how ongoing learning makes the industry accessible Common misconceptions male leaders have about hiring or promoting women, and how those are changing with new generations of leaders Practical ways to help women succeed in the field How companies fall short when they don't provide a spectrum of entry points for women Why equal pay and feeling valued are critical to retaining women in construction How flexibility and empathy for family responsibilities impact retention Concrete ideas for leaders to attract and recruit more women How to retain women by simply asking them directly about their challenges, listening for blind spots, and making fixable improvements The importance of women in the industry seeing each other as allies, not competitors and growing together That there is a clear, needed place for women in construction, and how leadership development programs can support their growth Website: https://sunstatebuilders.com/ LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-piering-55b14880/

April 1, 2026Episode 16227 min

Episode #162 – Rethinking Employee Retention with Angela Tait, CEO Tait Consulting and Chief Talent Strategist

In this episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast, Randy Goruk welcomes Angela Tait, CEO and founder of Tait Consulting and author of The Human Capital Playbook, to unpack what really drives employee retention in construction and similar project-driven environments. In this episode you will learn how to: Build and maintain trust Use vulnerability effectively Design high-impact onboarding Create clarity for new employees Avoid the trap of overpromising and underdelivering Align culture with hiring Use practical tools to hear employees Address performance and behavior issues early Whether you're a project manager, field supervisor, or senior leader, this episode will help you rethink retention as an experience. One that keeps your people engaged, loyal, and performing at a higher level. BIO: Angela Tait is the Founder of Tait Consulting and a Chief Talent Strategist who partners with growing companies, particularly in construction, legal, and professional services to build high-performing teams. With experience as both a recruiter and an in-house HR leader, she has scaled organizations from early-stage to over 100 employees and now helps leaders align hiring, culture, and performance to drive business results. Angela is also the host of the Mom-Me Podcast and the bestselling author of The Human Capital Playbook. She has been seen in USNews, ABC, FastCompany, SHRM and many other publications. Website: https://taitconsultingllc.com/ The Human Capital Playbook: https://www.amazon.com/Human-Capital-Playbook-Strategies-Leaders/dp/B0F4PMTFQB LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelatait/

March 19, 2026Episode 16124 min

Episode #161 – Why Construction Leaders Struggle to Hire and Keep Great People with Jessper Maquindang, Chief People Officer

In this episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk sits down with Jessper Maquindang, fractional Chief People Officer and leadership development consultant, to explore what it really takes to build and sustain high-performing construction teams. Together they discuss why so many contractors struggle with hiring and retention, and how to move beyond filling roles with "warm bodies" to intentionally hiring for attitude, ownership, and culture fit. You will learn how to: Transition from "doing everything yourself" to leading empowered teams. Attract better talent through clear mission, values, and vision. Communicate expectations so they're truly understood. Avoid over-reliance on "rockstar" employees and the risk that creates. Spot early warning signs of burnout and reducing chaos with clear priorities. Creating psychological safety, recognition, and strong onboarding to keep people engaged and committed. If you're a leader who wants to minimize burnout, reduce turnover, and create a high-performance culture that doesn't depend on one or two heroes, this episode is packed with insights you can put to work right away. Jessper Website: https://www.famileadconsulting.com/ Jessper LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmaquindang/

March 10, 2026Episode 16040 min

Episode #160 – Cybersecurity 2026: What Leaders Need to Know Now with Cybersecurity Expert, Robert Siciliano

In this episode of The Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk welcomes back cyber security expert Robert Siciliano for his third appearance to unpack the rapidly evolving world of cybercrime. You will learn: What a "Strategic Human Firewall" is and why it's important. How the "human blind spot" works. Why cyber criminals now target people instead of systems. How AI has supercharged scams. Red flags and practical defenses against invoice fraud, vendor email compromise, and spoofed payment requests. Why out-of-band verification matters. How loneliness and emotional needs are manipulated by the bad guys. Daily and weekly security habits to keep you protected. Why cybersecurity is now a necessary core leadership skill. The importance of family and team "passwords. Protect your business, your family and yourself by listening to this and the other Leadership and Learning Podcast episodes featuring Robert (episodes #18 and #103). Website: https://protectnowllc.com/ Robert's Linked Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertsiciliano/

March 3, 202627 min

Episode #159 – Practical Innovation Advice with Neall Digert, Vice President of Innovation and Market Development with Kingspan Light and Air

In this episode, host Randy Goruk explores practical innovation advice for the construction and building materials industries. His guest is Neall Digert, Vice President of Innovation and Market Development with Kingspan Light and Air, a leading global manufacturer of high-performance daylighting and ventilation solutions. Listeners will learn: A practical definition of innovation. Why fear of change is the #1 barrier to innovation and how to start eliminating it. How continuous improvement and innovation connect. Ways to engage frontline employees so they see their role in innovation and actually want to contribute ideas. Leadership behaviors that quietly kill innovation. The important role leaders play if they want innovation to take hold. How to innovate without overwhelming small teams. What typically triggers companies to finally innovate and how to be proactive instead of reactive. Why investing in people's learning, development, and industry involvement is essential to staying innovative and competitive. How a reputation for innovation helps attract and retain top talent. One simple innovation habit for leaders. If you lead in construction, building materials, or manufacturing and you want more innovation without huge budgets or complicated programs, this conversation will give you practical ideas you can apply now. Website: https://www.kingspanlightandair.us/ Neall Digert LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drnealldigert/

February 19, 2026Episode 15830 min

Episode #158 - Practical Advice for Recruiting and Retaining Employees with Ryan Hogan, Founder and CEO of Talent Harbor

In this episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk talks with Ryan Hogan, founder and CEO of Talent Harbor about how leaders in construction and building materials can recruit better employees and retain them longer. Ryan shares the three critical phases of effective hiring. You'll also learn: Why generic job descriptions fail How to build a simple blueprint for every role How to write posts that attract the right people and repel the wrong ones Low‑cost, high‑impact retention strategies A powerful interview question that reveals attitude, ambition, and fit Early warning signs of disengagement and quiet quitting The critical impact of the first 72 hours and first 90 days of onboarding Creative, practical recruiting tactics specific to the building trades and construction If you're a leader who's tired of constant turnover and wants to become a true talent magnet, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can start using this week. Website: https://talentharbor.com/ Ryan Hogan email: ryan@talentharbor.com