Can a Community Football Club Break Into the Big Time? | Tim Hobson

Tim Hobson used to make a point of staying late just to introduce himself to the right people. It's one of the more revealing details from a career spanning major Australian retail groups, and it speaks to something many people discover at work: doing your job well doesn't guarantee that the right people will notice. On this episode of Built Different, Tim shares how he approached career progression, why he seeks out roles where he's accountable for the decisions he makes, and what he's learned about getting the best out of the people around him. We also discuss AI and the workplace, including the risk that automating junior tasks could leave people with fewer opportunities to develop the judgement and problem-solving skills they'll need later in their careers. Outside of his retail career, Tim dedicates around 30 hours a week to his role as president of Berwick City Soccer Club. Through the ambitious Breaking Barriers project, he's helping push the club towards a bigger future while challenging the structures of Australian football. 00:00 Introducing Tim Hobson 00:22 Building a Career in Retail Property 03:00 The 30-Hour Commitment to Berwick City 04:25 Breaking Barriers: Berwick City's Ambition 09:08 Bringing a Business Mindset to Football 11:16 Accountability, Negotiation and Decision-Making 13:16 The Drive to Succeed 16:39 From Great Employee to Great Leader 18:51 Managing Volunteers and Building Strong Teams 27:17 Hiring for Personality and Team Fit 29:30 Communication, Relationships and Working from Home 32:30 AI and the Future of Learning 35:11 Leadership Lessons and Final Takeaways