Own The Build

In this special Leadership Series Question Time episode, Paul is joined once again by Chris Barber, Co-Founder and COO of C-Link, to answer questions submitted by listeners following recent Leadership Series interviews. 
Drawing on themes from conversations with Prabhat Shikotra, Genna Rourke, Anil Rai and other senior commercial leaders, Paul and Chris explore how commercial professionals can apply those lessons in the real world.
The discussion explores:
 how leaders can find time to improve the business instead of constantly firefighting; 
 why delegation is one of the biggest mindset shifts required to move into leadership; 
 how to balance protecting commercial margins while maintaining strong relationships; 
 why solving difficult problems is often the fastest route to career progression; and 
 the importance of taking ownership before waiting for a promotion. 
Paul and Chris also share practical advice on analysing where your time is spent, building trust with clients and supply chains, creating high-performing teams, and why leadership is ultimately about making the business better—not simply managing projects.
The message is clear:
the best commercial leaders don't wait for more authority—they create more value.
A practical episode for Quantity Surveyors, Commercial Managers and aspiring Commercial Directors looking to accelerate their careers and become more effective leaders.
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📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:
Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success
Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at paul@c-link.com or through, C-Link. 
C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.
Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

In the seventh episode of the Own the Build Leadership Series, Paul is joined by Genna Rourke, former Commercial Director at Costain and now Industry Engagement Director at Built Intelligence, to explore an unconventional route into commercial leadership and the lessons she learned along the way.
After falling into quantity surveying by chance, Jenna built her career through curiosity, continuous learning and a willingness to take on problems others avoided. From trainee QS to Commercial Director, she reflects on the relationships, mentors and mindset shifts that shaped her leadership journey.
The conversation explores:
why trust and relationships are the foundation of great commercial leadership;
the importance of delegation and why "what got you here won't get you there";
how succession planning starts with developing the people around you;
why collaboration consistently delivers better commercial outcomes than hierarchy; and
the role of mentoring, feedback and continuous professional development in building high-performing commercial teams.
Jenna also shares her thoughts on the evolving culture of construction, the importance of embracing different perspectives across generations, and why today's leaders should focus less on having all the answers and more on creating environments where their teams can thrive.
The episode closes with a simple but powerful message:
great commercial leaders don't create followers—they create future leaders.
A practical and refreshingly honest conversation for QSs, Commercial Managers and aspiring Commercial Directors looking to build stronger teams, earn trust and lead with confidence.
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📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:
Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success
Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at paul@c-link.com or through, C-Link. 
C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.
Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

In this episode, Paul is joined by Mark Holden-Smith, Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Registered Adjudicator, Registered Arbitrator and Director of Holden Smith Consultancy, for a deep dive into one of construction's most misunderstood topics:
Why do so many final accounts end in dispute?
Having progressed from labourer and plasterer to Managing Director before specialising in claims, dispute resolution and adjudication, Mark brings a unique perspective from every corner of the industry.
The conversation explores why difficult final accounts are rarely caused by the final account itself. Instead, the root cause is often found months or even years earlier — in misunderstood contract terms, ambiguous documentation, and a failure to properly administer the contract from day one.
Paul and Mark discuss:
 why most disputes originate during procurement and contract formation; 
 the importance of understanding what you've actually signed up to; 
 why "being contractual" shouldn't be viewed as a negative; 
 the delicate balance between practising the contract and maintaining relationships; 
 how leverage is created through strong contractual positioning; and 
 the habits that separate commercial professionals who resolve disputes from those who create them. 
The discussion also challenges common industry behaviours, including the tendency to leave difficult issues unresolved until project closeout — often turning manageable disagreements into major disputes.
The message is clear:
the best way to resolve a difficult final account is to stop it becoming a difficult final account in the first place.
A practical and insightful conversation for QSs, Commercial Managers, Commercial Directors and anyone responsible for protecting commercial outcomes on construction projects.
---------------------------------
📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:
Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success
Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at paul@c-link.com or through, C-Link. 
C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.
Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

In this episode, Paul is joined by Bernie Keens, freelance Commercial Manager and Managing QS, to explore a growing trend in the construction industry:
Why are experienced QSs choosing freelance over the traditional climb to Commercial Director?
Having spent 13 years progressing from Junior QS to Commercial Manager within the same contractor, Bernie recently made the move into freelance commercial management. The conversation explores what drove that decision, what he's learned so far, and whether the industry's traditional career ladder still appeals to experienced commercial professionals.
Paul and Bernie discuss:
 the realities of moving from QS to people manager and commercial leader; 
 why mentorship and continuous learning remain critical throughout your career; 
 the challenge of retaining ambitious Senior QSs in a competitive market; 
 why some of the industry's best commercial professionals don't actually want management roles; and 
 how flexibility, autonomy and lifestyle are changing career decisions for a new generation of QSs. 
The discussion also tackles a broader industry challenge: how contractors attract and retain the commercial talent needed to become the next generation of leadership.
The message is clear:
career success isn't always about the next job title — it's about finding the role, lifestyle and opportunities that are right for you.
A thoughtful conversation for QSs, Commercial Managers and business leaders looking to understand how career aspirations in construction are evolving.
---------------------------------
📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:
Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success
Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at paul@c-link.com or through, C-Link. 
C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.
Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

In this Own the Build Question Time episode, Paul is joined once again by Chris Barber, COO and Co-Founder of C-Link, to tackle two candid listener questions about career progression, mentorship and the realities of building a successful quantity surveying career. 
The first question comes from a construction professional with over 15 years of site experience who is struggling to transition into quantity surveying despite completing an MSc and making hundreds of applications. Paul and Chris explore whether the industry's widely discussed QS shortage really applies to trainees, why site experience is often undervalued, and what practical steps people can take to break into commercial roles.
The second question comes from an experienced Senior QS who moved companies for better pay and progression, only to find themselves without the mentors and support network they previously relied on. The discussion focuses on the importance of mentorship at every stage of your career, taking ownership of your development, and how to approach senior leaders when you need more guidance.
The conversation covers:
 whether construction genuinely invests in developing new QS talent; 
 the value of operational and site experience in commercial roles; 
 why mentorship never stops being important; 
 how to take control of your own career progression; and 
 the difficult but necessary conversations that often unlock growth. 
The message throughout is simple:
the best careers are rarely built by waiting for opportunities — they're built by actively creating them.
A thoughtful episode for aspiring QSs, experienced commercial professionals, and anyone looking to take the next step in their career.
---------------------------------
📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:
Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success
Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at paul@c-link.com or through, C-Link. 
C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.
Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.