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In this special format-breaking episode of the Being An Engineer podcast, Aaron and Brad sit down together—no guest, no script—to talk through an issue almost every engineer has bumped into at some point: the slow erosion of professional communication.

The conversation starts with a LinkedIn post Brad wrote after experiencing repeated ghosting during his job search—even after multi-hour onsite interviews and commitments from hiring managers. That sparks a broader discussion about the shifting expectations around communication in today’s workforce, how different generations approach feedback and follow-through, and what’s driving the breakdown of mutual respect between candidates, companies, vendors, and customers.

Aaron shares stories from his 16 years running Pipeline Design & Engineering, including how silence from prospective clients affects small engineering firms and why reciprocity is essential for trust in any business relationship. The two also talk openly about dealing with ambiguity, stress, and the pressure for instant answers in a world where patience is becoming rare.

This episode explores:

· Why ghosting is becoming normalized—and why it shouldn’t be

· How feedback and clarity can drastically change hiring experiences

· The role of generational differences in communication styles

· How ambiguity affects engineers and leaders at every level

· Practical frameworks for reducing stress and strengthening trust

· Why “say what you’re going to do, then do it” still matters

· A challenge to listeners to help rebuild professional respect, one small action at a time

Aaron and Brad wrap up with a call to action: if you’re ever in a position to choose—whether selecting candidates, vendors, or partners—take the minute to close the loop. Be the change you want to see in the industry.

Let us know what you think of this new conversational format, what topics you’d like us to tackle next, or whether we should stick to the classic interview style. Drop us a note on LinkedIn, on The Wave, or at info@teampipeline.us.

LINKS:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/pipeline-media-lab/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pipelinedesign/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradhirayama/

Aaron Moncur, host

Download the Essential Guide to Designing Test Fixtures: https://pipelinemedialab.beehiiv.com/test-fixture

About Being An Engineer

The Being An Engineer podcast is a repository for industry knowledge and a tool through which engineers learn about and connect with relevant companies, technologies, people resources, and opportunities. We feature successful mechanical engineers and interview engineers who are passionate about their work and who made a great impact on the engineering community.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment such as cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us on the web at www.teampipeline.us

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