Tradies Who Lead

Doing the Inner Work: Discipline, Sobriety & Leading for a Healthier Trade Culture with Claude Thomsen

Tradies Who Lead

Show Notes

Discipline, vulnerability, and consistency aren’t just personal strengths; they’re tools that shape how you show up for your crew.

Many know Claude Thomsen as @ThatSoberTradie, where he’s become a steady voice for healthier habits and a stronger culture across the trades. He went from the Army Reserves to the leading hand at a roofing company, and became a role model for other tradies online.

In this episode, we cover: • How doing the inner work changes the way you lead • The way to build respect and get the best out of others • How healthy routines and sobriety improve performance

Chapters: 0:00 Meet Claude Thomsen, That Sober Tradie 2:19 Leadership Skills from the Army Reserve 3:32 Earn Respect as a Leader 5:17 Get the Best Out of Others 6:41 Charge Your Battery as a Leader 7:35 Model Healthy Site Culture 9:09 Introducing That Sober Tradie 10:56 The Positive Impact of Sobriety 13:45 The Tradies Have an Attitude Problem 15:24 How to Influence Others 15:52 Learning to be Vulnerable 18:10 Built to Last Community Event 19:04 Lead by Example 19:16 Wrap Up

Follow Tradies Who Lead on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube or TikTok for more from the Tradies Who Lead community.

Tradies Who Lead is powered by Blue Leader. If you're looking for support in building leadership skills within your team, reach out here.

Or download our free eBook: 5 Things Every Tradie Needs to Know About Leadership

If you want to connect with Claude, you can reach him on Instagram at www.instagram.com/thatsobertradie

More from Tradies Who Lead

Oct 12, 2026

Landscaping is one of the toughest physical trades going. So how do you keep a crew motivated, run the business and still get home to your family?

Sep 28, 2026

What happens when your mentor ends up reporting to you?

Sep 14, 2026

Today we're joined by Dave Willmann, a licensed electrician, trade supervisor, and owner of Willmann Electrical, who's built a reputation across electrical, industrial, and commercial work. He’s also a trusted voice for sparkies online, known for his no-nonsense tool reviews and testing breakdowns.

Aug 31, 2026

Whether we’re promoted from tradie to supervisor, or shifting from tradie into parent, the change demands new behaviour.

Aug 17, 2026

Today we're joined by Adrian Gillman, a registered carpenter and owner of Kingsford Building and Carpentry in Metro Melbourne, with over 15 years in the trade specialising in bathrooms, extensions and detailed internal fitouts.

See all episodes →