61. The Power of Calm Leadership: How Natasha Roy Leads in Times of Uncertainty

Building Doors with Lauren Karan

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Natasha Roy, General Manager of Operations at John Holland Group, to discuss the high-pressure world of infrastructure delivery, the importance of honesty in leadership, and how to create a culture of trust in an industry known for its relentless demands.

With nearly 30 years of experience, Natasha has led teams through economic downturns, workforce shortages, and high-stakes project decisions. She’s a firm believer that calm, transparency, and collaboration are the keys to thriving in this space—and she’s here to share exactly how she does it.

From managing complex contracts to navigating the pressures of leadership as a mother of four, Natasha’s career is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of putting people first.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Leadership & Decision-Making in High-Stakes Projects:

• Why staying calm under pressure is a leader’s greatest asset.
• The importance of truth in leadership—and how to foster a culture of honesty in teams.
• How Natasha transitioned from Project Manager to General Manager in just three years.

Culture & Team Dynamics:

• How to work the problem, not the people—and why blame culture kills innovation.
• The "smile test"—a simple way to gauge the health of a project’s culture.
• Why your best people need to be on the toughest projects.

Navigating Change & Career Growth:

• What leaders need to focus on to build a strong, sustainable construction industry.
• Lessons from relocating to Darwin with a family of six—and why taking risks pays off.
• How mentorship and allyship shaped Natasha’s career—and what she’s doing to pay it forward.

Balancing Work, Life & Leadership:

• How Natasha successfully juggled a demanding career and raising four kids.
• The role of flexibility and understanding leadership in retaining top talent.
• Why construction needs more diverse perspectives to thrive in the future.

About Our Guest:

Natasha Roy is an industry veteran with nearly three decades of experience in major infrastructure projects across Queensland and the Northern Territory. As General Manager of Operations at John Holland Group, she leads large-scale teams in delivering some of Australia’s most complex projects.

A passionate advocate for culture, honesty, and collaboration, Natasha believes that great leadership is about building trust, making tough calls, and keeping people at the center of every decision. From her journey as a young project manager to an executive leading change in the industry, Natasha’s career is proof that resilience and adaptability pave the way to success.

Key Quotes from Natasha Roy:

• “The construction industry isn’t just about building structures. It’s about building trust, resilience, and strong teams.”
• “You can’t solve problems if people aren’t telling you the truth. A culture of honesty is non-negotiable.”
• “The best projects have strong teams that trust each other. When people feel safe to speak up, that’s when great work happens.”
• “You can have a career and a family—it just takes flexibility, good leadership, and a strong support system.”

About Your Host:

Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is a recruiter and development coach passionate about helping professionals unlock their potential. Through this podcast, Lauren shares inspiring stories and actionable insights to empower listeners to create opportunities in their lives and careers.

How You Can Support the Podcast:

✅ Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
✅ Share this episode with colleagues who would benefit from Natasha’s insights.
✅ Stay connected: Follow Lauren and Building Doors on LinkedIn.
✅ Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.

Don’t Miss Out:

🎧 Listen to previous episodes here.
📩 Want to be a guest or provide feedback? Email us at [email protected].

Thank you for tuning in! It’s time to stop waiting and start building.