06/07/2026
Some conversations stay with you long after the room has cleared...
Recently we hosted our JV 'Builders Network Lunch' in Melbourne, with guest presenter and AFL legend - James Hird.
Hirdy spoke openly about leadership, resilience, high performance and the responsibility that comes with being part of a team.
And while his stories came from the world of elite sport, the lessons translated clearly to business, construction and recruitment.
The biggest reminder?
People are everything.
Whether youโre leading an AFL club, running a construction business, managing a site or building a recruitment team, culture doesnโt happen by accident. Itโs built through trust, standards, support and the people you surround yourself with.
Hirdy shared stories from his time playing under Kevin Sheedy, including the expectation that every player signed every fanโs autograph after training - whether 10 people were waiting, or 100.
A simple but powerful example of humility, discipline and never forgetting who you represent.
He also spoke candidly about some of the darkest periods in his life, including the impact of the Essendon drug scandal and the time he spent in care afterwards. It was a raw reminder that leadership is not just about success, performance and results. Itโs also about resilience, vulnerability and having the right people around you when things are at their hardest.
One message that really stood out was the importance of supporting people to make their own decisions, while building a team that genuinely buys into the end goal.
Thatโs true in sport.
Itโs true in business.
And itโs true in recruitment.
For us, it was a strong reminder of why we strive to deliver hashtag . Not just outcomes, but the people, culture, standards and support that make those outcomes possible.
A huge thank you to James Hird for sharing so honestly, and to everyone who joined us for an afternoon of insight, connection and conversation.