Slicing Through The Noise
This exciting channel dives into real leadership stories from Australia, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges, setbacks, and triumphs of business leaders.
Hear firsthand how they navigated adversity and turned obstacles into success. Even more special, our guests are past clients of Integrity and Values who have been deeply influenced by our programs.
Be part of an exciting new journey with our founder and podcast host, Jennifer Elliott.
Slicing Through The Noise
Episode 15: From Sweeping Floors to CEO: Brendan Flaxman on Safety, Cash Flow & Growing People
In this episode of Slicing Through the Noise, Jennifer sits down with Brendan Flaxman to unpack what leadership really looks like when the stakes are high, the work is physical, and the consequences are real.
Brendan’s story doesn’t begin in a corner office — it starts with humble work, an early setback, and the kind of “figure it out” pressure that forces you to build resilience fast.
From there, the conversation moves into what separates “title-chasing” from true capability: sticking around long enough to earn experience, learning to respect the hard-won lessons that only time and repetition can teach, and developing the maturity to lead people who may have more years on the tools than you do.
Brendan shares the leadership mindset behind people-first safety — not as compliance, but as culture — where “everyone home safe every day” becomes a non-negotiable standard, and where the dangerous “I’ll just…” moments are treated as the real risk.
He also gets real about business ownership: the sacrifice, the grind, and why the “nine-to-five CEO fantasy” collapses quickly in the real world — especially in the early years when you’re still riding with “trainer wheels” on.
Finally, Brendan breaks down practical business fundamentals: why “cash is king,” how profitable companies can still become insolvent, and what leaders must watch if they want a business that can survive shocks and reinvest for the long term.
Key takeaways:
• Leadership growth takes time — “trainer wheels” and all (and it’s normal).
• Early business ownership often means long weeks and real sacrifice.
• Safety is culture, led from the top — “everyone home safe every day.”
• Developing people: willingness + learning agility + doing the work.
• Sustainable service requires structure, systems, and no shortcuts.
• Cash flow isn’t optional — it’s survival.
Chapters (timestamps):
00:00 Intro: Slicing Through the Noise
00:40 Meet Brendan + what we’re unpacking
01:11 Humble beginnings + early injury & resilience
06:07 Why tenure & experience matter (beyond qualifications)
11:44 Leading older crews: resentment, maturity, self-awareness
17:45 Taking a leap: real estate, going broke, and what it taught him
21:39 Ownership reality: work, sacrifice, and the “shiny” myth
23:12 “Trainer wheels” leadership + 60-hour weeks
31:18 Working from home vs collaboration & culture
32:54 People-first safety + split-second decisions
40:43 Seeing potential in others (and what to look for)
46:32 From price to partnership with customers & suppliers
51:32 No shortcuts: structure, process, accountability
52:54 Tech in construction: what’s real vs hype
55:25 Carbon targets, supply chain reality, practical constraints
58:13 “Cash is king” and why businesses fail
62:35 Family support, isolation in leadership, finding safe outlets
66:34 Motorbikes, mindset, and thinking space
69:14 Advice: your first key hire
71:12 Legacy: what he hopes the culture becomes
Thank you for listening to 'Slicing Through The Noise' the podcast that uncovers real stories behind impactful leadership in Australia and around the world.
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