Leader Scout

AI isn't coming. It's already here. The question isn't whether you'll use it. The question is whether you'll learn to use it well while keeping people at the centre of your hiring decisions. In this episode, I break down where AI adds real value to the hiring process, where it falls short, and why the best hiring managers will always stay in the pilot's seat. Why businesses...

Too many businesses try to assess capability, sell the role, discuss salary, and make a hiring decision all in one conversation. The result is two polished sales pitches instead of an honest discussion about whether both sides are actually the right fit. In this episode, I explain why I've stopped calling the first meeting an interview and started calling it an alignment discussion. Why trying...

Most bad hires don't surprise you. The warning signs were there long before they started. The challenge is spotting them before urgency takes over and a decision gets made. In this episode, I break down five candidate red flags I've seen repeatedly throughout my career and the questions hiring managers should be asking before making an offer. • Why repeated short tenures deserve investigat...

Australia's construction and infrastructure market is heading into a serious workforce squeeze. Infrastructure Australia is projecting a 300,000 worker shortfall by 2027, but that number will not hit every business evenly. It will affect project managers, engineers, site leaders, tradespeople, regional contractors, infrastructure delivery teams, and renewable energy projects in very different...

If attracting experienced people feels harder than ever right now, the problem might not be salary, competition, or the skills shortage. Your job advert could be sending the wrong signals. In this episode of Leader Scout, I break down why experienced project managers, engineers, construction professionals, and infrastructure leaders can often tell within seconds whether a business truly understand...

I stepped back to focus on building People8, improving how we deliver for clients, and figuring out exactly what this podcast needed to become.   Now we're back.   In this episode, I explain what happened during the break, what's changed in the market, and what you can expect from Leader Scout moving forward.   I also share some of the biggest patterns I'm seeing across construction, i...

Many businesses believe they’re losing great candidates because of salary or a tight labour market. In reality, most top talent disengages much earlier — because the hiring process itself signals confusion, risk, and indecision. In this episode of Leader Scout, Tom Millington breaks down why well-intentioned hiring processes quietly push high-quality candidates away, especially in construction and...

Some of the businesses losing their best people have strong brands, impressive offices, and genuinely meaningful work — so why are people still leaving? In this Season 1 opener of Leader Scout, Tom Millington breaks down why good people don’t usually leave suddenly, but disengage first and how leadership blind spots, unclear expectations, and missing growth conversations quietly drive turnover in...

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 c...

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 cos...

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...

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 communic...

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 t...

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 conclude...

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...

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 lea...

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 with...

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...

Deni discusses her career journey from recruitment to working in the not-for-profit sector and eventually landing a role in sustainability and climate change at Deloitte. She emphasises the importance of aligning work with personal values and finding passion in the job. Deni also highlights the need for resilience in the industry and the challenges of managing projects in the sustainability field....

Richard Carson, General Manager at InQuik, discusses the company's international expansion and product portfolio diversity. InQuik specialises in accelerated construction, using a self-supporting system that allows for rapid construction without the need for temporary formwork or support structures. Richard emphasises the importance of building a personal brand based on discipline, consistency, an...

In this episode, Tom Millington discusses the critical stage of the job application process known as the stage two method. He explains why this stage is important and provides tips on how to master it. The key components of the method include tailoring your resume for the specific job role, showcasing relevant skills and experience with specific examples and statistics, demonstrating initiative by...

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is subjective and depends on individual preferences and goals. It involves understanding what you want and finding a balance between work and personal life. Setting boundaries and prioritizing family time are important aspects of achieving work-life balance. Flexibility is often mistaken for work-life balance, but it's important to differentiate between the...

In this podcast episode, Tom Millington discusses how to negotiate a higher salary or better benefits, effectively set and achieve career goals, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Steve suggests that to negotiate a higher salary, one should go above and beyond their job description, consistently perform well, and then approach their superiors with a reasonable request. Kylie advises conside...

The conversation discusses the different chapters or stages of a career in the trades and engineering industry. Chapter 1 is the exploration stage after graduation, where individuals can experiment and find their niche. Chapter 2 is specialization, where individuals should focus on their niche and specialize to stand out. Chapter 3 is about finding a balance between work and personal life. Chapter...

We asked leaders Nicholas Evans & Sushil Patil 6 frequently asked questions which could support individuals trying to progress in their career or start in their career. These questions were; What skills are most important for career advancement? Should I pursue further education or certifications to advance? How do I get promoted in my current job? What steps can I take to move into a leadersh...