CASE STUDY
Centrals Earthmoving
It began with a single bulldozer on a parched hillside during one of Western Australia’s toughest droughts. From these humble beginnings, Centrals evolved into a thriving, family-owned civil construction and earthmoving enterprise operating across regional Western Australia. Since its founding in 1978, Centrals has built its reputation on innovation, flexibility, and strong community ties—including its commitment to Indigenous engagement and workforce development.
Craig is most proud of Centrals unique Indigenous traineeship programs. The success of their programs speaks for itself, with 80% of graduates still in employment in the industry two years later.
Prior to Craig taking over the business, Centrals turned over less than a million dollars. Now under his leadership the business has a turnover in the tens of millions. Centrals strong values set them apart from many other organisations operating in the same sector. This has allowed them to operate consistently and grow year on year.
When Craig Patterson succeeded his father as Managing Director in 1997, he brought with him a strategic vision for growth. Through his leadership, the business expanded rapidly during the mining boom of the 2000s—growing from 11 to over 200 employees and reaching a turnover in the tens of millions. Yet like many in the sector, the downturn post-2014 presented a “boom or bust” moment.
The Problem
Boom or bust! Stagnation Amid Market Shifts
Following the end of the mining boom, Centrals—like many others in the Western Australian mining and construction sector—faced severe challenges. Craig knew that to avoid downsizing and remain competitive, he needed to invest in his people. However, earlier attempts to engage with leadership organisations failed to deliver meaningful outcomes. Team alignment was lacking, communication had stalled, and inter-group tensions were affecting performance.
“Before Integrity and Values worked with our organisation, my leadership style was ‘the knight on a white horse’, galloping in at full speed and yelling commands at those around me.”
The Solution
A Strategic 18-month Leadership Program That Delivered
Craig’s turning point came when he met Jennifer Elliott, CEO and Founder of Integrity and Values, at a leadership retreat in Antarctica. That pivotal moment led to an 18-month strategic leadership program developed specifically for Centrals, focusing on executive transformation, team cohesion, and cultural alignment.
The program included:
- Executive coaching for Craig
- Full team psychometric profiling and behavioural assessments
- A dynamic leadership development framework tailored to the business context
- Accountability and self-awareness modules
- Ongoing team leadership coaching and feedback integration
Processes and Outcomes
Data-Driven Insight: The Power of Psychometric Profiling
Integrity and Values used their own advanced assessment profiling tools to map leadership behaviours and uncover critical blind spots within the senior team. The results were eye-opening. Centrals leaders discovered where they were aligned—and where they weren’t. The program’s clarity helped identify team members capable of driving the business forward, and those misaligned with the evolving culture and vision.
Real Conversations and hard truths
The leadership development process was intentionally rigorous—fun, engaging, but also challenging. It pushed leaders outside their comfort zones. As a result, some individuals chose to step away, making space for fresh talent aligned with the company’s future direction.
This wasn’t just about developing team members; it was about transforming culture from the inside out. The result? Increased employee satisfaction, better alignment, and a strong, resilient leadership culture capable of navigating change.
The Results
Sustainable Growth Through Leadership
- Highest employee engagement scores in years
- Significant profit increase within the first 6 months post-program
- Stronger alignment across departments and leadership tiers
- Strategic restructuring with the right people in the right roles
Centrals is now recognised as an innovator in the Western Australian civil construction space—not just for their technical capability, but for their commitment to values-based leadership and people development.
Looking to Future-Proof Your Leadership?
If you’re an executive searching for effective leadership development programs in Australia, Integrity and Values delivers premium solutions that go beyond surface-level change. Whether you’re developing team members, overcoming internal friction, or seeking high-impact team leadership coaching, our strategic programs equip leaders with the tools, insight, and accountability to achieve extraordinary business outcomes.
Connect with Jennifer or Alison via the form on this page today to explore how our proven approach to leadership transformation can create lasting impact for your business.
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