From Lawsuits to Lessons: What I Learned in the Fire – Toby McCosker

Some Lessons Aren’t Taught—They’re Survived

Construction isn’t just bricks and contracts. Sometimes it’s courtrooms, statements, and sleepless nights.

I’m Toby McCosker, and I’ve been sued, scrutinized, and written off. But I’m still here. Why? Because in the middle of the fire, I chose to learn—not to burn.

When You Build, You Risk

The moment you sign a contract, you’re exposed.
You’re trusting clients, regulators, and the unknown.

What they don’t tell you is:

• Success doesn’t shield you.

• Mistakes multiply under pressure.

• And sometimes, people will come for you because you're growing.

The Real Cost Isn’t Financial

Sure, legal bills hurt.
But what hurts more is the damage to your name, your team, and your sense of purpose.

I’ve seen employees walk.
I’ve seen partners hesitate.
I’ve watched the media pick one side of a story.

And still—I showed up.

What the Fire Taught Me

- Protect your contracts like your craft.
- Keep receipts—every email, every spec, every promise.
- Speak truth before it becomes your defence.
- And when the fire comes, don’t panic. Lead.

Leadership Isn’t About Avoiding the Fire—It’s About Standing In It

I’m not proud of every chapter. But I own every one. Because leadership means taking the hits, shielding your crew, and walking forward anyway.

If you’re building something real, lawsuits might find you. But so will growth. So will clarity. So will strength.

This isn’t a sob story.
This is survival.
This is construction.
This is me—Toby McCosker.

More from Toby McCosker

Lessons from the Frontline: Leading Through Adversity
How pressure shaped leadership beyond the job site.

Reputation vs. Reality: What the Media Got Wrong
Why headlines don’t always tell the full story.

Tobias (Toby) McCosker is the founder of Built By Toby. After two decades in construction and business, he now shares raw lessons from the frontline.
Explore more at BuiltByToby.com.au