Leadership is tested in the everyday standards we set, the people we hire, and the culture we allow to grow.
In this episode of In the Trenches, Stephen Connell, CEO of MAD3 Engineering, shares hard-earned lessons on leadership, accountability, workplace culture, and building high-performance teams.
Stephen unpacks why “what you walk past, you accept” is more than a saying - it’s a leadership standard. From managing employees and hiring for values, to building trust, developing people, and creating a culture where teams take ownership, this conversation is packed with practical insight for leaders at every level.
What Stephen Covers:
- Building high-performance teams
- Hiring for values, not just technical skill
- Managing toxic employees before they damage culture
- Leading by example and setting clear standards
- Creating accountability across a business
- Developing and retaining good people
- The link between cash flow, communication, and leadership
- Client satisfaction and delivering practical results
- Leading an employee-owned engineering business
- MAD3 Engineering’s values: Responsive, Reliable, Results
If you care about leadership, team culture, accountability, business growth, or building a workplace where good people stay and perform, this episode is for you.
Powered by The Finance Agency — salary-paid finance brokers for forward-thinking Australian business owners. financeagency.com.au
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🔗https://linktr.ee/In_The_Trenches.pod
🔗Connect with Hanif Ibrahim:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanif-ibrahim-18175a9/
🔗Connect with Stephen Connell:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-connell-mba-aicd-46954321/
Website: https://mad3.com.au/
What is In The Trenches?
Running a business isn't easy. The late nights, tough decisions, and constant pressure to grow, adapt, and succeed — it's all part of the journey. In the Trenches is a business podcast for entrepreneurs, founders, and operators who know what it's like to be in the thick of it.
Each episode dives into real stories from business owners, industry leaders, and experts who have faced challenges head-on, found opportunities in unexpected places, and made the decisions that shaped their success. We're not here for vague theories or feel-good advice. We focus on tangible insights — practical strategies, financial realities, and the lessons that actually make a difference in running a business.
Brought to you by The Finance Agency, In the Trenches is about more than just storytelling. It's about equipping business owners with the knowledge, inspiration, and commercial insights they need to navigate their own path. Whether you're scaling up, managing cash flow, or tackling industry shifts, we bring you the voices and experiences that matter — helping you make smarter decisions and move forward with confidence.
If you're building something great, if you're making tough calls every day, if you're in the trenches — this is the podcast for you.