Leader Spotlight #02 - Hadrian Phillip

Hadrian Phillip is an Australian with Sri Lankan heritage. He is currently a Senior Manager in Construction with over 15 years of industry experience.

1. Background and Inspiration: Can you share a bit about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in the property and construction industry?

I was born in the northern parts of Sri Lanka, in a small suburb called Chundikuli. Life was simple, my dad was a math teacher, and my mom stayed at home. Since my dad travelled a lot for work, I spent most of my time with my grandmother, another teacher, and my grandfather, who was a civil engineer. He built some of the early electrical infrastructure in Sri Lanka and often said “Maybe one day, you'll be like me.” I shrugged it off at the time, especially with my parents firmly pushing me toward becoming a doctor.

In 1995 the war hit our town, and we were forced to flee. Picture this - our belongings piled onto a tractor, along with two live turkeys! What followed was a journey through rough seas, refugee camps, and eventually a cramped 3x3 motel room. By 1997, we had made it to Australia, and just a few weeks later, I found myself back in school.

Fast forward seven years, and I was at a crossroads, trying to figure out what to pursue at university. Like any good Sri Lankan kid, I followed my parents’ wishes and enrolled in Medicinal Chemistry at Monash, Clayton. This meant a long 2-train and 1-bus journey every morning to make my 8am classes (since I didn’t have a decent car). With my parents not speaking much English, I had to navigate this new world entirely on my own. I’d barely been to the city more than five times since arriving, so it all felt pretty overwhelming. While I was doing well in Medicinal Chemistry, I was exhausted and frustrated by the long lab hours. One afternoon, as I was walking to the Menzies Building, listening to Rob Thomas on repeat on my mini disc player (those were the days!), I had an epiphany: “What if I drop out and study architecture?” I suddenly recalled a conversation with my grandfather, who had passed away just a year before I finished Year 12. He had asked about my progress in a drafting unit and said, “I hope you do engineering soon.” That memory struck me, and within days, I made the decision to drop out of Medicinal Chemistry — without telling my parents, of course.

Back then, only three universities offered architecture: Melbourne, Deakin, and RMIT. The choice was easy: Deakin was too far, RMIT required a portfolio (which I didn’t have), so Melbourne Uni it was. My ENTER score was adequate, so I applied mid-semester and was accepted. Once everything was set, I finally broke the news to my parents. My mother smiled, probably not fully understanding the gravity of my decision, while my dad gave me the silent treatment after some research, shocked that I was leaving what he saw as a “prestigious” Medicinal Chemistry degree to become what he thought was a draftsperson. But honestly, it turned out to be the best decision I ever made. Some might call it luck; others might say divine intervention. I just say it was my granddad guiding me into the world of construction. Along the way, mentors like Architect Andrew Maynard, Anthony Worm, Professor Miles Lewis, and Mark Webber fuelled my passion to stay in the industry and pursue further studies.

Now, 20 years later, construction is all I’ve ever known, and the fire still burns strong! I love this industry, the people, and the endless challenges. I’m confident this will be my jam for years to come.

2. Leadership and Diversity: How do you integrate your cultural background into your leadership style, or how do you advocate for diversity and inclusion within the industry?

Defining my leadership style is tricky because it's been shaped by a unique journey, guided by the support and mentorship of some truly incredible individuals. Without them, I may have struggled to become the empathetic leader I am today. owe a lot to the amazing team I work with, my industry allies, and influential figures like Jess Rafter, Kevin Murphy, Kean Selway, and coach Sarina Sorrenti.

After helping rebuild our team post-COVID, I can confidently say that while diversity wasn't something we consciously aimed for, it naturally emerged through merit. When hiring managers and panels are diverse, the team tends to reflect that diversity. I’m proud to say that our team is the most diverse I’ve ever been part of, which is both refreshing and rewarding. We don’t just talk about diversity; we lead by example, and that’s how we truly advocate for it.

It’s also important to consider what it means to have culturally diverse leadership. Simply put, we tend to be more understanding and accommodating of cultural nuances—and yes, sometimes that means our weddings last for weeks! In our team, we embrace this understanding and flexibility. But for this approach to create real impact, we need more diversity in leadership across the board.

3. Advice for Aspiring Professionals: What advice would you give to young professionals from multicultural backgrounds who aspire to leadership roles in the property and construction industry?

This might come off as a bit blunt, and maybe I don’t fully grasp what it’s like to be a professional in the industry right now. But to put things in perspective—when I first walked into the Architecture program at Melbourne Uni, you could count the number of Southeast Asian students on two hands in a cohort of over 250. I was one of only two students from the deep northern suburbs of Melbourne. Based on that, I think it’s essential for people from multicultural backgrounds to shake off the idea that we’re not capable or that certain fields aren’t "for us."

Culturally, many of us are raised to be workers, not leaders. But as parents, I believe we should be encouraging our children to reach for the top—whether that means leading a construction company or excelling in any other field they choose.

For young professionals, it’s important to find your passion and then put in the work to get there. Think of it like training to be a boxer—you must put in the hours in the ring. Similarly, to be a leader, you must first understand what it takes to be a good worker. Strong foundations are key, and from there, you can build. Talk to your managers, share your goals, and seek out mentors. But remember, a mentor isn’t your friend or your ticket to a job; it’s a relationship focused on learning and growth. Always be learning, always be putting yourself out there. And it’s equally important to recognize that not everyone wants to be a leader—and that’s perfectly okay too.

4. Future Vision: In your opinion, how can the property and construction industry better support multiculturalism?

The most effective way the industry can support is by starting an open dialogue on the topic. For too long, it’s been sidelined or passed off for someone else to handle. It’s about having a conversation, not a confrontation—taking the time to learn about different cultures. Knowledge is empowering, so next time a colleague mentions the Mid-Autumn Festival or Diwali, you can engage and be part of the conversation.

5. Cultural Celebrations: Can you share a significant cultural celebration or festival from your heritage that holds special meaning for you?

Unfortunately, I don't participate in Sri Lankan cultural events due to the trauma tied to those experiences. However, as a family, we do celebrate Diwali. While lighting the entire house with oil lamps can be a bit anxiety-inducing for me, I still find joy in the celebration.