Episode #148 - Engaging Teams for Continuous Improvement with Steve Harms, General Manager Builders First Source
The Leadership and Learning Podcast
Release Date: 10/23/2025
Episode #164 – Adapting to the Changing Construction Industry with Ed DeAngelis, CEO EDA Contractors, Inc.
The Leadership and Learning Podcast
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”...
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Episode #163 – Actions Leaders Can Take to Attract, Recruit, Retain Women in Construction with Andrea Piering, President, Sun State Builders
The Leadership and Learning Podcast
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”...
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Episode #162 – Rethinking Employee Retention with Angela Tait, CEO Tait Consulting and Chief Talent Strategist
The Leadership and Learning Podcast
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 ...
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Episode #161 – Why Construction Leaders Struggle to Hire and Keep Great People with Jessper Maquindang, Chief People Officer
The Leadership and Learning Podcast
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...
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Episode #160 – Cybersecurity 2026: What Leaders Need to Know Now with Cybersecurity Expert, Robert Siciliano
The Leadership and Learning Podcast
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...
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Episode #159 – Practical Innovation Advice with Neall Digert, Vice President of Innovation and Market Development with Kingspan Light and Air
The Leadership and Learning Podcast
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...
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Episode #158 - Practical Advice for Recruiting and Retaining Employees with Ryan Hogan, Founder and CEO of Talent Harbor
The Leadership and Learning Podcast
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 ...
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Episode #157 – Storytelling to Build Trust, Create Clarity, and Drive Real Change with Robert Kennedy III, CEO Kennetik Kommunications
The Leadership and Learning Podcast
In this episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk sits down with Robert Kennedy III, founder and CEO of Kennetik Kommunications, to explore how leaders can use storytelling to build trust, create clarity, and drive real change. Robert shares practical ways leaders can use stories to: Make safety meetings and toolbox talks more engaging and memorable Strengthen trust with customers and prospects through testimonial-style stories Motivate crews, improve retention, and connect daily tasks to a bigger purpose You’ll learn Robert’s simple...
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Episode #156 - Team Success is Never About You with Leadership Coach Randy Goruk
The Leadership and Learning Podcast
In this episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk explores a fundamental question faced by leaders: when should you give your team credit for accomplishments, and when (if ever) should you take credit yourself? Drawing on real coaching conversations and timeless leadership wisdom, Randy emphasizes why team success is never about the individual leader, but about collective achievement. Listeners will hear actionable tips on supporting and inspiring teams · Why humility is a crucial leadership trait that builds trust and...
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Episode #155 - Leadership and Operational Discipline is Key to Employee Retention with Scott Peper, CEO Mobilization Funding
The Leadership and Learning Podcast
Join host Randy Goruk in this insightful episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast as he welcomes Scott Peper, CEO of Mobilization Funding. Together, they dive deep into operational discipline as an underrated tool for recruiting and retaining top talent in manufacturing, construction, and operations. Scott draws from his extensive experience to reveal how a well-organized, safe, and empowering workplace drives morale, productivity, and company growth. Listeners will discover practical leadership lessons and strategies for retaining employees. Whether you’re a plant manager,...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk welcomes Steve Harms, General Manager at Builders FirstSource, who draws on over 40 years of experience in the building materials industry.
Steve shares his journey from humble beginnings to leading successful improvement initiatives, including the implementation of Kata teams, fostering a culture of ownership, and achieving outstanding results in safety, quality, and productivity.
Packed with practical stories, expert insights, and leadership advice, this episode offers inspiration and tools for leaders eager to build a thriving, continuously improving organization.
Listeners will gain actionable insights and real examples to help implement or enhance continuous improvement in their own organizations.
You will learn:
- The importance and mindset of continuous improvement as a daily commitment.
- The concept of employee engagement and practical ways to give employees ownership and responsibility for their work.
- Results of the Kata continuous improvement methodology in manufacturing.
- Key metrics for success: safety, quality, and productivity and how to measure and improve them.
- Recognizing early warning signs of employee disengagement and strategies to address them.
- Effective leadership practices, including the value of humility ("free yourself from ego") and building trust.
- Training and empowering leaders and teams to take initiative and drive sustained improvements.
- Adapting operations to environmental challenges, while maintaining engagement and efficiency.
- Step-by-step methods for starting small with improvement teams and scaling success within an organization.
- The value of mentorship, leadership consistency, and enjoying the journey of improvement.