Work Hard. Be Nice. Build the System.

Guest: Brandye Hendrickson, Deputy Executive Director of Planning and Administration at TxDOT

TL;DR – From managing a restaurant shift to running a federal agency in Washington, D.C., Brandye Hendrickson has seen it all. In this episode, she joins us to share the story behind her legendary career mantra—Work hard. Be nice.—and explains why human empathy is the most critical component of any complex infrastructure system.

How does someone start their career in an entry-level HR role and end up running a federal infrastructure agency in Washington, D.C.? In this episode of Between Two Cones, Trish and Amanda sit down with Brandye Hendrickson to unpack her incredible journey through the world of transportation leadership.

Brandye’s career is a masterclass in why technical logic must always align with human empathy. From her early days managing a restaurant to becoming the first female District Director in Indiana history, she has consistently proven that you don’t need an engineering degree to build a high-performing culture. We dive into her time leading the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the realities of state-to-federal resource allocation, and the chaotic strategic planning session where her famous career mantra was born.

Whether you are grinding downstream in data management or building systems upstream in agency strategy, Brandye’s practical, human-first philosophy is the exact blueprint our workforce needs right now.

Key Takeaways

• The Power of Simple Mantras: Brandye explains how an exhausting, snack-depleted strategic planning meeting led her to toss out the corporate jargon and focus on a foundational rule: Work hard and be nice.
• Smelling the Asphalt: You don’t have to be an engineer to lead a transportation district, but you do have to leave the office, visit the field, and understand the tangible safety impacts of your decisions.
• The State vs. Federal Lens: Moving from local project delivery to national policy requires managing intense friction, balancing regulatory compliance, and protecting the state-federal partnership.
• Gratitude in the Mechanics: A fascinating look at how a malfunctioning office elevator can shift your entire perspective on infrastructure, maintenance, and basic professional appreciation.