73. Building Strong Foundations Through Relationships with Josh Yates

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Josh Yates, co-founder of Landy Group, a company that’s reimagining leadership in construction through relationships, trust, and community. Josh shares how he went from corporate loyalty to co-founding a people-first business with multiple arms and a clear social purpose. He opens up about navigating financial risk, arbitration, and the emotional challenges of leadership, while staying anchored in humility and impact.From team culture to legacy-building, this conversation is packed with real talk on what it takes to lead with heart. Whether you're starting out or scaling up, Josh’s story will inspire you to build beyond the blueprint.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Relationships First, AlwaysWhy long-term trust beats short-term transactionsThe biggest mistakes people make when building networksHow a single relationship led to Landy's first major winPeople Over TitlesThe "no ego" rule that drives Landy's team cultureHow hiring based on values changed everythingWhy treating your team like family is worth the riskReal Talk on Leadership and ResilienceThe lessons learned from a painful arbitrationWhy investing in HR, IT, and accounting early made all the differenceHow Josh manages culture while the company scalesLegacy Beyond ProjectsThe social impact outcomes that drive Josh’s workHow Landy helps clients create lasting community benefitsWhy legacy means leaving people better than you found themKey Quotes from Josh Yates:“If you’ve got an ego, don’t work at Landy.”“Some of our best wins came from relationships built over coffee, not contracts.”“Titles don’t matter. Showing up does.”“Our legacy isn’t just a bridge. It’s the lives we’ve helped transform.”“You can be all in with your team and still be a strong leader.”About Our Guest:Josh Yates is the co-founder of Landy Group, a growing consultancy and delivery firm in the infrastructure and construction sector. With over two decades of experience, Josh is known for his genuine leadership style, focus on relationships, and commitment to social impact. He believes in building businesses that serve people first and profits second.About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.How You Can Support the Podcast:Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Explore the Landy Group website to see their latest ventures and impact.Connect with Josh on LinkedIn to learn more about his journey.Stay Connected:Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Let’s Connect:Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at [email protected] you for listening! It’s time to stop waiting and start building.