Entrepreneurial Engineer Podcast

Peter Toma on Saying Yes, Lessons from Major Projects & The Future of Construction | Ep 33

Darren Flynn Season 1 Episode 33

Construction projects aren’t just about concrete, steel, and schedules - they’re about people, decisions, and saying yes to opportunities.

In this episode, I chat with Peter Toma, engineer turned advisor, about his journey from graduate engineer on the Gold Coast light rail to launching his own construction advisory business.

We dive into how young engineers can build confidence, why starting on smaller projects gives you the best grounding, and the lessons learned from managing billion-dollar infrastructure jobs.

We cover:

  • The power of saying yes to opportunities (even before you feel ready)
  • Why smaller projects are the best training ground for future leaders
  • The difference between technical skills early in your career and people skills later on
  • Lessons from major projects like Sydney Gateway and light rail
  • How trust, influence, and communication can shape outcomes more than contracts
  • Why Peter believes in cutting red tape and rethinking delivery models in infrastructure
  • The thinking behind his “Profitable Project Framework”

If you’re interested in construction, engineering leadership, or the shift from technical expert to trusted advisor, this episode is packed with insights.

Connect with Peter - https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-toma/