What happens when an engineer decides to lead with heart—and ends up building one of the fastest-growing firms in Canada? In this candid conversation, host Lindsey Schultz sits down with Joel Giffen, founder of Giffen Consulting, to explore the power of authenticity, leadership, and culture in engineering and mining.
Joel didn’t set out to build a company. In fact, he calls it an “accidental” journey—one that began with freelance contracts and evolved into a thriving consultancy spanning Western and Central Canada. With a focus on personalized service and genuine client relationships, Giffen Consulting has grown over 600% in just two years, recently earning a Top 40 Under 40 honor for Joel and recognition from The Globe and Mail as Canada’s #1 fastest-growing engineering firm.
At the core of that success? People. Joel shares how a background shaped by his father’s sales career and his own early experiences at Hatch inspired a belief that business is always personal first. That philosophy has shaped everything—from the tone of his company’s website to how new hires are onboarded and how teams collaborate across Vancouver and Toronto offices.
Lindsey and Joel also dig into broader industry themes, including the talent crisis facing mining. With a generational shift underway and declining numbers in mining education programs, both agree that the sector must do more to attract—and retain—new talent. Joel points to the importance of early outreach, storytelling, and making mining “real” for younger generations. (Spoiler: He’s a fan of mineral samples as birthday gifts.)
The episode also explores the tools and frameworks that support better teamwork. Joel explains how the “Six Working Geniuses” model helped his company identify strengths and gaps within teams, while Lindsey offers a parallel in the “Ten Faces of Innovation.” Together, they highlight the value of cognitive diversity and consistent feedback loops—especially as organizations grow and face new challenges.
And yes, there’s time for laughs, too—from sneaker fashion at conferences to the joys of working from home in fuzzy Birkenstocks.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of leadership, culture, and mining innovation. Whether you’re building your own company or championing change within a larger organization, Joel’s story is proof that thoughtful, values-driven leadership creates real momentum.
Meet Our Speakers:
👤Lindsey Schultz, Our Host, CEO of MRC Recruiting.
🎙️Joel Giffen, our guest speaker, owner of Giffen Consulting
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: ⏱️
[00:00] Welcome to Ore-atory: Meet Joel Giffen
Lindsey introduces Joel, highlighting his 15+ years in mining, utilities, and heavy industry.
[01:02] What’s Getting Joel Excited About Mining
Joel shares his excitement around market shifts, workforce transitions, and how to bring people into mining.
[02:18] Relationships First: The Foundation of Giffen Consulting
Joel discusses the personal nature of business and how building real relationships has fueled his success.
[07:24] Recruiting Through Culture & Brand
The website isn’t just for clients—it’s to attract the right people to your team too.
[11:17] Tools for Team-Building: The 6 Working Geniuses
Joel explains how his team uses this framework to improve collaboration and leadership awareness.
[14:34] Breaking at 22: Scaling Pains and Process Gaps
Growth hit hard—Joel reflects on the breaking point where spreadsheets and informality no longer cut it.
[20:47] Starting a Company by Accident
From freelancing post-Morocco to founding a firm during COVID, Joel walks through the winding journey.
[30:00] Awards, Recognition & Growth Metrics
Joel shares his 40 Under 40 win and how Giffen Consulting became Canada’s fastest-growing engineering firm.
[31:40] Work-Life Blend & Showing Up Authentically
From Clark Kent to sneakers at conferences, Joel and Lindsey laugh through how identity and leadership have changed.
[39:58] The Future of Mining’s Workforce
Joel reflects on declining mining school grads and how the industry must do more to attract the next generation.
[47:02] Surprise! Mining Dominates LinkedIn
Lindsey shares new data: Mining is topping engagement metrics on LinkedIn—proof our storytelling matters.
[48:01] Parting Advice: Lead with Experience, Not Ego
Joel closes with insights on creating safe spaces for growth, learning from mistakes, and giving back to the industry.
Connect with us on LinkedIn and check out monthly episodes of Ore-atory: Elevating Mining Minds on Apple Podcast or Spotify, where we continue to explore the mining industry workspace.
Tune in and be part of the conversation that’s shaping the future of mining!
Are you a job seeker looking for your next opportunity or an organization looking to hire your next team member? If you have time for a quick chat about your goals MRC can help connect with us.