What if the biggest risk to your project isn’t technical—it’s conversational? Most engineering projects fail not because of flawed plans or inadequate technology, but because teams aren’t having the right conversations about trust, coordination, and care.

In this episode, Jason Klous, Principal at Midion with over 30 years in complex construction projects, reveals the Language Action Perspective—a framework that transforms how teams communicate and coordinate. Jason shares why the most technically skilled people often struggle with the most critical conversations, how to rebuild trust when it’s broken, and the surprising power of assessments delivered with care.

Whether you’re leading a multi-million dollar construction project or navigating difficult conversations at home, this episode will change how you think about communication as the foundation of success.

• The missing conversations kill projects: Technically sound projects fail when teams don’t discuss trust, psychological safety, and coordination—not because of poor planning or inadequate software.

• Trust has specific domains: When trust breaks down, identify whether the issue is reliability, competence, or sincerity. Once you know which domain is lacking, you can develop a targeted plan to rebuild it.

• Moods are contagious and foundational: Teams fall into moods unconsciously, and those moods influence listening, trust, and coordination. Identifying and shifting moods can transform project outcomes.

• Assessments strengthen relationships when delivered with care: The most difficult feedback, when delivered to improve the relationship (not damage it), often brings relief and reveals more about the person delivering it than the person receiving it.

• Write it down before difficult conversations: To avoid “talking around” the issue, write down what you need to say. This helps you be more direct while maintaining care and candor.

[00:51] Introduction – The story teams tell themselves
[01:52] Why technically sound projects fail
[05:08] The Language Action Perspective explained
[09:04] Real-world example: $250M wastewater project turnaround
[15:47] The four domains of trust
[19:23] Understanding moods vs. emotions
[24:30] How to deliver assessments with care
[32:25] Having difficult conversations at home
[37:03] Coach in Your Corner

• Name: Jason Klous, Ph.D., Principal at Midion
• Expertise: Language Action Perspective, Lean Construction, Integrated Project Delivery, Team Coordination
• Connect: jklous@midion.com | https://midion.com
• LinkedIn: Jason Klous, PhD | LinkedIn

Resources Mentioned:

Dr. James Bryant is an engineering leadership coach and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. He helps technical professionals and engineering leaders develop the human skills that drive career success—from communication and influence to strategic thinking and team leadership. Connect with James on LinkedIn or visit [website] to learn more about engineering your success.

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What happens when a construction leader decides that building people matters more than building projects? In this episode of the Engineer Your Success Podcast Heath Troyer—fourth-generation contractor, business owner, and national mental health advocate—opens up about the hidden crisis facing construction leaders today: managing projects has become easier than leading whole humans.

Heath and James explore why so many leaders still operate from a “leave yourself in the parking lot” mentality, how self-awareness transforms leadership, and why building systems that build people starts with leaders being willing to do their own work first. This conversation doesn’t just challenge how we think about leadership in construction—it challenges how we show up as leaders in every area of life.

If you’ve ever felt the weight of leading while carrying your own unspoken struggles, this episode is for you.

• Leadership in construction (and beyond) is shifting from “employee at work” to leading the “whole self”—but most leaders lack the tools to make this transition effectively

• Self-awareness is the foundation of effective leadership: leaders must run toward therapy, mental health resources, and personal growth first before they can truly support their teams

• Building systems that build people requires continuous check-ins to understand what motivates each person at their current life stage—not just what serves the company agenda

• Your worth isn’t measured by your accomplishments; high performers often run toward achievement while running from a foundational belief that they’re “not enough”

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:41 Leadership challenges: managing projects vs. leading people
  08:25 Self-awareness as the foundation of leadership
  14:23 Community impact and giving back
  17:13 Heath’s personal journey and mental health advocacy
  25:23 What engineering your success really means
  29:12 Your worth is not measured by your works
  31:43 Coach in Your Corner and closing prayer

Heath Troyer is a fourth-generation construction leader, business owner, and national advocate for mental health in the trades. With over 25 years of experience in roles from carpenter to Senior Project Manager, Director of Field Operations, and Director of Corporate Safety, Heath now owns Troyer Construction Services, specializing in non-profit work including grant-funded home modifications and attainable housing for underserved communities through partnerships with organizations like Neighborhood Link.

As a suicide survivor, Heath works nationally with the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP) and provides mental health support through YMCA childcare services. He speaks openly about leadership, self-awareness, and creating workplace cultures where people can bring their whole selves to work. His leadership philosophy is simple: we can build more than buildings—we can build people. Connect with Heath on Facebook at Heath Troyer or through Troyer Construction Services.

Connect on LinkedIn: Heath Troyer

Resources Mentioned:

• CIASP – Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention –
• https://www.preventconstructionsuicide.com

About the Host: Dr. James Bryant is an executive leadership coach who helps engineering leaders and technical professionals win at work and at home. Through his Engineer Your Success coaching program, he guides high-performing professionals to build careers and lives aligned with their deepest values—without burning out in the process. Connect with James at engineeryoursuccessnow.com.

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Struggling to find real success while juggling work and a personal life? In this uplifting episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant speaks with Amrit Dhaliwal, a driven entrepreneur who mastered the art of ‘making it up as he goes’—and still built and sold multiple businesses across diverse industries. Hear how Amrit transformed setbacks into million-pound wins, redesigned home care in the UK, and learned the keys to integrating life, family, and fierce ambition. Perfect for business owners, engineering leaders, and anyone searching for success and fulfillment.

He shares his evolution from deli owner to UK franchise leader, revealing actionable success strategies for entrepreneurs, business owners, and engineering leaders. Learn about work-life integration, building winning teams, leadership techniques, cash flow management, redefining home care, balancing priorities, and creating a meaningful business while living a fulfilled personal life. Engineer Your Success helps you thrive in every aspect.

• Building businesses without waiting for perfect clarity
• Learning through action instead of overplanning
• Reframing challenges into actions, delegation, or deferral
• How open loops create unnecessary mental load
• Why not everything that feels heavy is a “problem”
• How intentional decision-making supports presence at home

00:00 – Episode context and opening reflections
01:47 – From delis to home care: Amrit’s entrepreneurial path
03:45 – Learning through action and early challenges
08:35 – Work, family, and shifting priorities
12:08 – Mentorship and surrounding yourself with the right people
18:19 – Communication lessons from marriage and leadership
31:18 – Focus, decision-making, and closing the problem loop
32:37 – Coach in Your Corner: Practical Episode Insights with Dr. James Bryant

Guest: Amrit Dhaliwal is the founder and CEO of Walfinch, a national home care franchise disrupting the UK industry. Renowned for building and selling businesses from scratch, Amrit is passionate about leadership, systematizing success, and inspiring entrepreneurs to live with purpose.

Host: Dr. James Bryant is an engineering leadership coach and entrepreneur dedicated to helping technical professionals win at work and at home. With real-world experience in business growth and executive mentorship, he delivers practical insights for intentional leadership and fulfillment.

• LinkedIn: Amrit Dhaliwal
• Podcast: Walking with Walfinch Podcast
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@walfinchltd
• Instagram: @amritwolfinch

Grab Amrit’s book: “Time to Thrive, the Home Care Revolution” on Amazon (all proceeds to the Care Workers charity UK)

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LinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant

Success isn’t just about results—it’s about building a life shaped by your values.
Dr. James Bryant helps engineering and technical leaders create systems that bring clarity, confidence, and balance so they can win at work and at home.

www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com