In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan chats with Luke Crouch, a former air traffic controller who made a bold leap into construction project management. Luke’s unconventional career, from managing McDonald’s to directing airspace and now leading infrastructure projects, challenges traditional ideas about how talent enters the construction industry.

He opens up about the risks of changing careers, including taking a pay cut and starting over, all in pursuit of a more fulfilling path. Luke shares how persistence, adaptability, and values-driven leadership helped him stand out in a competitive market and build a rewarding new chapter.

Once introverted, Luke has evolved into a people-focused leader, using culture as a cornerstone of team and client success. His story is a powerful example of how diverse backgrounds bring fresh thinking to the industry.

Whether you're navigating a career shift or leading a team, Luke’s insights will inspire you to rethink what's possible.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Career Transitions & Resilience:

• Why Luke walked away from a six-figure salary in air traffic control and how it led to a more fulfilling career.
• The “cold-calling” strategy that landed him his first role in construction and why persistence matters more than traditional resumes.
• How skills like decision-making under pressure translate across industries.

Leadership & Hiring Differently:

• Why Luke now prioritizes initiative and drive over industry experience when hiring.
• The flaws in traditional recruitment (e.g., Seek ads) and why “annoying” candidates often stand out.
• How to onboard talent from non-traditional backgrounds and foster innovation.

Industry Challenges & Cultural Shifts:

• Why construction is still slow to adopt change, and how younger generations are driving tech/AI integration.
• The surprising reality of project management: 80% people skills, 20% technical work.
• The impact of building a “just culture” where learning from failure is embraced.
• Balancing rigid contracts with client relationships and why flexibility wins long-term trust.

Personal Growth & Legacy

• How becoming a father reshaped Luke’s priorities and what he hopes to model for his son.
• The leadership philosophy he borrowed from aviation: “Just Culture” (no blame, collaborative problem-solving).
• His vision for leaving a legacy of empowerment and collaboration in construction.

Key Quotes from Luke Crouch:

• "There are times where a leader has to push because otherwise things get stuck and they stagnate. But I think most of the time you can get through if you show trust in people, and people will perform better than you realize when they're given the opportunity."
• "I wanna see people really empowered in this space. And that's something that I will continue to drive for my entire career."
•  "I'm excited for the future of technology, especially in the construction space. I think that improved efficiencies in construction are gonna be a fantastic boom for the whole industry."

About Our Guest:

Luke Crouch is a Project Manager at Flexem, bringing a unique blend of skills from air traffic control, retail management, and construction. Known for his problem-solving mindset and commitment to fostering diverse talent, Luke is helping reshape how the industry approaches hiring and leadership.

About Your Host:

Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.

How You Can Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
• Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.
• Connect with Luke on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.

Stay Connected:

• Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.
• Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.

Let’s Connect:

• Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.

Thank you for listening! Remember: The best leaders aren’t waiting for doors to open, they’re building them.

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan welcomes Domenic De Fazio, a seasoned executive whose career journey from project manager to CEO is marked by conviction, courage, and consistency. Domenic shares the raw truth about navigating leadership without compromising your values, and what happens when the traditional leadership "suit" no longer fits who you are. From making the leap into executive roles to managing board dynamics and driving a values-based culture, this is a masterclass in real-world leadership.

Whether you're an emerging leader or a seasoned professional rethinking your next move, this episode unpacks what it means to lead with empathy, build trust, and influence without manipulation, even in complex corporate environments.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Leadership & Organisational Culture

• Why empathy and consistency matter more than charisma in leadership
• How to build and scale culture across teams, departments, and countries
• The art of giving feedback that’s honest, not brutal

Navigating Executive Roles

• How Domenic stepped into the CEO seat while staying true to himself
• Why board dynamics are often dysfunctional, and how to lead through them
• Skills that matter most at the GM and C-suite levels

Career Development & Succession

• How visibility and risk-taking can accelerate your rise
• The difference between managing up and bringing people along
• Why being “seen” matters more than ever in hybrid workplaces

Authenticity & Personal Legacy

• The link between personal values and professional leadership
• Why authenticity creates safety, and what that looks like in practice
• How to leave a legacy that empowers others to be their best, most honest selves

Key Quotes from Domenic De Fazio:

• “If getting to the top means I have to be more of a mongrel, I’m okay not getting to the top.”
• “Sometimes people just need time to get used to ideas. You plant the seed and let it grow.”
• “There’s nothing authentic about brutality. Feedback should be empathetic and honest.”
• “If you’re not seen, you’re not seen. Visibility matters.”
• “Because they worked with me, I hope people felt they could be their true selves.”

About Our Guest:

Domenic De Fazio is a seasoned executive and former COO who has built his career on authentic leadership, strategic risk-taking, and a deep commitment to building cultures that last. With experience across project management, operations, and executive roles across Australia and New Zealand, Domenic’s story is a blueprint for leaders who want to do more than succeed; they want to lead with purpose.

About Your Host:

Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.

How You Can Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
• Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.
• Connect with Domenic De Fazio on LinkedIn

Stay Connected:

• Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.
• Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.

Let’s Connect:

• Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.

Thanks for listening! Leaders don’t wait for doors to open, they build them.

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Harley Whaikawa, Director at Minerva Group, whose journey from the military to civil engineering and into consultancy leadership is anything but traditional. From cold calls and rejection to becoming a respected voice in fire engineering and a force on LinkedIn, Harley shares the lessons he’s learned about authenticity, leadership, and playing the long game.

Whether you’re a graduate seeking your first role or a business owner navigating the digital landscape, this conversation provides a no-fluff look into building a reputation that lasts, both online and offline.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Leadership & High Performance

• Why leading by example is non-negotiable in high-performing teams
• How Harley’s military discipline translates into running a consultancy
• Setting standards and attracting like-minded professionals

Brand & Business Development

• How Harley went from 300 LinkedIn connections to 12,000+ weekly impressions
• What actually works (and what flops) when trying to build a personal brand online
• Why human connection beats automation every time in sales and relationship-building

Career Journeys & Transition

• The real talk about leaving the military and starting over
• How rejection, cold calls, and missed expectations shaped Harley’s grit
• Why building a consultancy is not all sunshine and smooth sailing

Authenticity in a Digital World

• The power of transparency, inside your calendar, team culture, and online presence
• Why authenticity online isn’t optional anymore
• Where AI fits into the future of business (and where it really doesn’t)

Key Quotes from Harley Whaikawa:

• “You can't fake effort. People spot it a mile away.”
• “If I’m not willing to operate at a high level, how can I expect others to?”
• “LinkedIn is a two-to-three-year game. You’ve got to do it for the right reasons.”
• “People still do business with people they like and trust.”

About Our Guest:

Harley Whaikawa is Director at Minerva Group and a leader in fire engineering consultancy. A former military forward observer turned civil engineer, Harley brings structure, grit, and a human-centered approach to building businesses, teams, and client relationships. He’s also grown a vibrant, authentic presence on LinkedIn, known as much for fire engineering insights as he is for his fruit trees.

About Your Host:

Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.

How You Can Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
• Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.
• Connect with Harley on LinkedIn and follow Minerva Group.

Stay Connected:

• Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.
• Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.

Let’s Connect:

• Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.

Thanks for listening! Remember, leaders don’t wait for an opportunity. They build it.