Not every builder wants to lead. And not every craftsman is meant to — until one day, they are.
At Faulkner Construction, we talk a lot about site leadership. It’s not just about experience, it’s about foresight, follow-through, and the willingness to carry the weight when no one’s watching. Dan’s journey from finishing carpenter to first-time foreman shows what happens when a great builder steps into that space.
For years, Dan’s reputation preceded him. Everyone wanted him on the final stages of a build, where the detail matters, and every millimetre counts. He’s the guy who gets it right, and who takes pride in doing so. That’s why he won our Pride & Excellence award last year — not for being loud or pushy, but for quietly lifting standards every day he was on site.
But leadership? That’s been a harder sell.
Like many future foremen, Dan spent a long time just off to the side, watching others step up, supporting where needed, quietly wondering if he had what it takes.
Then one day, he said the words: “I want to lead a job.”
So we gave him one. A full site, with repeat clients Mark and Linda Roberts, and a strong crew looking to him for answers.
And Dan delivered.
Site leadership in action
Dan kept the team productive, all the way through. He stayed on budget. He coordinated trades, planned ahead, and made decisions that protected the build. When asked what he was most proud of, it wasn’t a clever finish or a tricky install. It was this:
“I kept the boys productive — all the way through.”
That’s leadership. Quiet. Steady. Focused on the team, not the spotlight.
Culture-led leadership
Dan’s step forward didn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s the kind of progression we’ve been building toward for years at Faulkner through The Craftsmen — our internal leadership group of senior carpenters and foremen. Inspired by a mix of real-world experience, strategic reading (think Belonging by Owen Eastwood and The Culture System by JP Nerbun), and our own big goals, The Craftsmen are helping shape what it means to build and lead at Faulkner.
Their influence shows up in moments like this, when one of our best tradesmen steps forward and says “I’m ready.”
Building homes, building people
Our BHAG is to be New Zealand’s leading builder of homes designed by architects. That goal demands excellence on site — not just in how we build, but in how we lead.
Dan’s first build as a foreman is a milestone not just for him, but for Faulkner as a whole. Because when leadership grows from within — led by example, not ego — our homes, our clients, and our future all benefit.
Congratulations, Dan. We’re proud to walk this path with you.
