In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Harley Whaikawa, Director at Minerva Group, whose journey from the military to civil engineering and into consultancy leadership is anything but traditional. From cold calls and rejection to becoming a respected voice in fire engineering and a force on LinkedIn, Harley shares the lessons he’s learned about authenticity, leadership, and playing the long game.

Whether you’re a graduate seeking your first role or a business owner navigating the digital landscape, this conversation provides a no-fluff look into building a reputation that lasts, both online and offline.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Leadership & High Performance

• Why leading by example is non-negotiable in high-performing teams
• How Harley’s military discipline translates into running a consultancy
• Setting standards and attracting like-minded professionals

Brand & Business Development

• How Harley went from 300 LinkedIn connections to 12,000+ weekly impressions
• What actually works (and what flops) when trying to build a personal brand online
• Why human connection beats automation every time in sales and relationship-building

Career Journeys & Transition

• The real talk about leaving the military and starting over
• How rejection, cold calls, and missed expectations shaped Harley’s grit
• Why building a consultancy is not all sunshine and smooth sailing

Authenticity in a Digital World

• The power of transparency, inside your calendar, team culture, and online presence
• Why authenticity online isn’t optional anymore
• Where AI fits into the future of business (and where it really doesn’t)

Key Quotes from Harley Whaikawa:

• “You can't fake effort. People spot it a mile away.”
• “If I’m not willing to operate at a high level, how can I expect others to?”
• “LinkedIn is a two-to-three-year game. You’ve got to do it for the right reasons.”
• “People still do business with people they like and trust.”

About Our Guest:

Harley Whaikawa is Director at Minerva Group and a leader in fire engineering consultancy. A former military forward observer turned civil engineer, Harley brings structure, grit, and a human-centered approach to building businesses, teams, and client relationships. He’s also grown a vibrant, authentic presence on LinkedIn, known as much for fire engineering insights as he is for his fruit trees.

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.
• Connect with Harley on LinkedIn and follow Minerva Group.

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].

Thanks for listening! Remember, leaders don’t wait for an opportunity. They build it.