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In this episode of Constructive Talk, host Daniel Carroll sits down with Sarah Tozer, General Manager VIC/TAS/SA Building at John Holland, to talk about leadership, resilience, and the emotional reality of working in one of Australia’s toughest industries.
From her early years as one of the few women on site to leading some of the country’s most complex infrastructure projects, Sarah shares an honest look at what it takes to build a career — and a life — in construction. She reflects on burnout, boundaries, and how learning to “press pause” became one of her most important leadership lessons.
Sarah and Daniel dig into the emotional rhythm of major projects — from the excitement of the final stretch to the exhaustion and despair that often hit before the finish line. Sarah explains why acknowledging those emotions, naming them, and talking about them openly can transform how teams work together and support one another.
The conversation also explores how small moments of connection — shared lunches, morning toolbox chats, a site barbecue — can make a big difference in managing stress and building culture. Sarah shares practical ways leaders can embed rest, recovery, and empathy into project life, and why sometimes the best thing a manager can say is, “Take a break — we’ve got you.”
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Resources:
If this conversation brings up anything for you or someoneyou know, support is available.
MATES in Construction — 1300 642 111
Lifeline — 13 11 14
Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636
📖 Sarah’s book recommendation: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
