DiscoverThe Construction Leadership Podcast: Executive Strategies to Build Elite Teams & Consistently Deliver On-Time, Under Budget
The Construction Leadership Podcast: Executive Strategies to Build Elite Teams & Consistently Deliver On-Time, Under Budget
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The Construction Leadership Podcast: Executive Strategies to Build Elite Teams & Consistently Deliver On-Time, Under Budget

Author: Bradley Hartmann

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Are you spending more time solving problems than actually leading in your construction business?

The Construction Leadership Podcast helps executives build high-performing teams, finish on time and under budget—without all the firefighting and babysitting—so you can lead with clarity, consistency, and control.

Hosted by Bradley Hartmann—author of 15 books for the construction industry who teaches leadership in the University of Oklahoma's Master's program for construction professionals—each episode delivers real-world lessons for real-world builders.

You'll learn how to:
• Lead change with less resistance using field-tested strategies that increase engagement
• Build a culture of accountability—without micromanaging or constant confrontation
• Eliminate confusion with mental models and tools that drive confident execution

New episodes drop every Tuesday and Thursday.

Ready to jump in? Start with episode 470: The Glock 17, a Billionaire, and the Leadership Lesson That Will Transform Your Team's Change Management. It's a listener favorite and will shift how you lead through resistance.
498 Episodes
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Is your push for excellence quietly burning out your best people?   Many construction leaders default to "pacesetting"—leading by example, demanding speed, and expecting others to keep up. But according to leadership expert Daniel Goleman, this style may be crushing team morale, lowering performance, and increasing turnover—especially when overused.   In this episode you will: Learn the 6 proven leadership styles outlined in Goleman's HBR article—and how they apply to construction. Understand why pacesetting, though well-intentioned, often leads to burnout and disengagement. Discover how to flex your leadership style to drive accountability, morale, and long-term results on every project.     Listen now to uncover which leadership style your team really needs—and how to lead with clarity, confidence, and lasting impact.   Click here to download Goleman's 6 Leadership Styles.   The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.    This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.  
Is your leadership style helping your construction team grow—or pushing top talent away?   If you're leading teams in today's construction industry, you know generational gaps, tech adoption, and market uncertainty are more real than ever. In this episode, you'll hear from UFP Site-Built EVP Mike Ellerbrook, whose leadership journey from the plant floor to the executive level shows how emotional intelligence, adaptability, and humor build strong, high-performance cultures that last.   In this episode you will: Discover how to shift leadership styles to reduce resistance to change and drive accountability. Learn how to make your culture more fun without losing focus on performance. Get real-world tactics to engage younger employees while respecting the wisdom of your veterans.     Press play to learn how strong leaders like Mike Ellerbrook adapt, connect across generations, and lead construction teams with focus, candor, and confidence.   Click here to download the classic HBR article on leadership styles by Daniel Goleman.     The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.    This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.      
Are your best people underperforming despite their experience and talent?   This episode challenges ones of the most dangerous assumptions leaders make: that underperformance is a talent issue instead of a system problem.   Using lessons from NFL quarterbacks and a powerful leadership mental model, Bradley Hartmann explores why complexity is often the real enemy on your job sites – and how to fix it.   In this episode you will:   ·      Discover how elite athletes like Donovan McNabb can still fail under the wrong system – and what it means for your team. ·      Learn how to run the "McNabb Test" on your processes to spot complexity bottlenecks. ·      Understand how simplifying your communication can unlock execution, speed, and confidence in your crews.   Listen now to learn how reducing complexity in your leadership approach can help your best people perform at the best – consistently.   The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.    This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.  
Ever wonder how NFL quarterbacks go from being labeled "busts" to top performers—just by changing teams?   The list here is long: Sam Darnold, Mac Jones, and Baker Mayfield to name three who have played at a high level this year.      In construction, just like in football, leaders often misjudge struggling team members by blaming personal traits instead of assessing the environments they're placed in.    This episode unpacks the critical leadership blindspot known as the fundamental attribution error—and how it's quietly sabotaging your team's performance.   In this episode you will: Discover why underperforming employees may actually be victims of poor systems—not poor character. Learn 7 leadership tools that help you shift focus from blaming individuals to improving environments.       Press play to uncover the leadership principle that could improve your team's performance starting today.   The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.    This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.      
Two quick questions:    ONE Are the books you're reading actually making you a better leader? Or are they just filling space on your shelf?   TWO Are you reading the same books as everyone else, putting yourself at risk for thinking like everyone else?   In this episode, host Bradley Hartmann shares the six most essential books he read this year—each selected for their impact on construction leadership, strategy execution, innovation, and driving real accountability. Whether you're managing teams or steering your company toward greater differentiation, these unconventional books are tools, not trophies.   In this episode you will:  Discover practical strategies for balancing ambition with reality in your project planning Learn how to break away from mind-numbing industry conformity and spark original thinking Understand the true difference between leadership and management (and why most get it wrong)     Listen now to upgrade your leadership mindset with the six most unconventionally transformative books of the year.   The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.    This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.  
Skeptical about what a 95-year-old billionaire can teach you about leadership, storytelling, and executive communication? That's fair, but Warren Buffett's final letter to his Berkshire Hathaway shareholders is worth studying for its clarity, humility, and sense of humor. In this episode, host Bradley Hartmans breaks down this masterclass in executive communication and leadership that every construction leader can learn from. Buffett's farewell isn't just an unusual corporate SEC filing—it's a roadmap for leading with legacy in mind.   In this episode you will: Discover why Buffett's best leadership trait might not be what you think (and how to apply it on your own job sites). Learn how focusing on emotional intelligence, gratitude, and long-term thinking can drastically improve how you lead your teams. Get practical storytelling and communication takeaways that will help you lead with more confidence and far less firefighting.   Listen now to learn how one of history's greatest business minds wrote his final message—and what it means for your leadership journey.   Click here to download a PDF of Buffett's final letter.    The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.    This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.  
Do your teams hesitate during change, struggle with accountability, or push back on your decisions—even when you're the boss? If you're a leader in the construction industry, you know that technical skill isn't enough. You need to influence, persuade, and lead effectively without constant infighting.    In this episode, you'll learn how the six principles of influence, backed by deep psychological research, can help you lead with clarity, authority, and impact—whether you're negotiating a contract or getting your crew to buy into a new workflow.   In this episode you will:   Discover how reciprocity and commitment drive follow-through from teams and clients. Learn real-world strategies from sales and site management that increase your persuasive power. Understand how to protect yourself from being manipulated by unethical uses of persuasion.   Listen now to learn the six science-backed strategies that will help you lead more effectively, communicate with clarity, and build lasting influence in construction.   The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.    This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.  
Does your construction team actually live its values—or does the language on your website on the posters in HQ feel like empty slogans?   If you've ever felt like your team's communication is scattered, or your cultural "initiatives" don't actually shape behavior, this episode breaks down how elite organizations—from Suffolk Construction to the New Zealand All Blacks—use intentional language to create a competitive advantage.   In this episode you will: Learn why a consistent internal vocabulary can align behaviors across your entire company Discover how phrases like "clean data lake" and "tip of the spear" drive accountability and innovation Understand how repetition from leadership creates true behavior change—even when it feels redundant     Listen now to uncover the leadership language tools you can use to build a stronger, more aligned construction team.   The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.    This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.  
How can construction leaders predict safety risks before incidents happen—using AI? In an industry that's notoriously slow to adapt, this episode with Suffolk Construction's Evan McKee reveals how leaders can overcome resistance to change and drive real innovation on the jobsite.    From predictive analytics to building a culture of transparency, Evan shares practical strategies for adopting new technologies—without alienating your team.   In this episode, you will: Learn how Suffolk uses AI to predict safety incidents with over 85% accuracy Discover what truly sets Suffolk's innovation culture apart from "talking the talk" Gain insight into how young professionals and veteran builders can mentor each other     Hit play now to learn how forward-thinking leadership and data-driven strategies are transforming construction for the better—before your competitors do.   Learn more about Bradley Hartmann's Sales Fundamentals Workshop    The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.    This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.  
Are you building a leadership legacy—or risking your credibility one decision at a time?   In episode 488, we examine what construction leaders can learn from the complete credibility collapse of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Through the lens of a century-old story involving telegraphs, horse racing, and mafia control, we explore how short-term incentives can quietly erode long-term trust, even for the most well-intentioned leaders.   In this episode you will:   Understand the 4 components of credibility every leader must master: honesty, competence, inspiration, and being forward-looking. Learn how perverse incentives—even if profitable in the short term—can destroy team trust and long-term cultural integrity. Evaluate your own leadership style through a powerful breakdown of real-time failure and timeless leadership wisdom.     Hit play now to discover why credibility is your most valuable leadership asset—and how to protect it before it's gone.     The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.    This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.  
Have you ever felt that the daily chaos of running your business has blinded you to the bigger picture? Are you watching other leaders struggle to extract themselves from working IN the business, instead of ON it?     In this deeply personal and practical episode, Bradley Hartmann reveals the hidden leadership cost of being stuck in "whiteout conditions"—when the constant fires, deadlines, and endless demands cloud your vision.    Whether you're an executive dealing with growth, silos, or burnout, this episode sheds light on a simple but powerful truth: the busier you are, the more critical it is to zoom out.   In this episode, you will: Learn how stepping back—even briefly—can bring the clarity needed to make better decisions. Discover the key difference between working in the business versus on the business, and why that matters more as your company grows. Hear the powerful story of how one spontaneous trip changed the trajectory of a young man's future—and what it teaches us about leadership, generosity, and focus.   Hit play now to uncover how pulling yourself out of the daily storm can unlock clarity, creativity, and long-term success for your business.   This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.  
Are you avoiding AI because you're too busy—or because you don't want to confront what you don't understand?   In this episode, host Bradley Hartmann tackles resistance to AI adoption in the construction industry head-on, using the timeless wisdom of Charlie Munger to reveal the dangers of staying uninformed.    Whether you're skeptical, curious, or somewhere in between, this episode will challenge how you lead in a rapidly changing tech landscape.   In this episode you will: Understand the real risk of letting competitors outpace you with AI adoption Learn why forming an opinion on AI is a leadership responsibility, not a tech task Discover how timeless investing wisdom from Munger and Buffett applies to construction strategy today   Listen now to learn how construction leaders can build tech fluency, lead with confidence, and stay competitive in the AI age.     This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.  
Are you waiting for "the right time" to engage with AI in your construction business? What if that moment is already behind you?   In this episode, host Bradley Hartmann breaks down the real leadership crisis happening right now in construction—not leadership's resistance to AI adoption, but total disengagement from it.    If you've been putting AI strategy on the back burner or assuming your IT team has it covered, you may be doing your company more harm than you think. Hear real-world examples of construction execs with vastly different tech backgrounds, yet the same paralyzing hesitation—and why that's a bigger problem than it sounds.   In this episode, you will: Understand why not having an informed opinion on AI puts your company at risk—even if you're already using it. Learn the 5 essential questions every construction executive must ask to lead through AI transformation. Get Bradley's personal AI "tech stack" and discover the tools he uses daily to gain an edge in leadership, strategy, and execution.   Hit play now to learn how to stop managing the present—and start leading your team into an AI-powered future.   This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.  
Are your jobsite changes constantly resisted—even when they clearly make things better? If you're leading construction teams and struggle to get people to embrace new processes, it's not about laziness—it's about how humans are wired. This episode breaks down why convenience, status, and belonging drive every decision your team makes—and how to use that insight to lead better.   In this episode, you will: Learn how to make the new way easier and the old way harder so your team actually adopts change. Discover leadership tactics that protect your crew's status while still evolving how they work. Use cultural belonging and group identity to create lasting behavior shifts—without micromanaging or fighting resistance.   Tap play now to learn the psychology behind team behavior and unlock a smarter way to lead change on your jobsite.   This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.  
Are you leading your construction team with focus and clarity—or feel like you're constantly putting out fires all day?   In today's episode, Bradley Hartmann shares game-changing lessons from Poor Charlie's Almanack—a book that has quietly shaped some of the sharpest decision-makers in history.    If you're struggling with accountability, resistance to change, or making better decisions under pressure, this episode offers a rare blueprint to lead smarter without burning out.   In this episode, you will: Discover Charlie Munger's mental models to reduce resistance and drive accountability in your team. Learn how to reverse engineer project failures using the concept of "inversion"—and avoid costly mistakes. Get a practical checklist to elevate your leadership and simplify high-stakes decisions on the job. A synopsis of Munger's 25 tendencies of human misjudgment (see link below from the Novel Investor)    https://novelinvestor.com/charlie-mungers-tendencies-of-human-misjudgment/   Press play to learn how one book can reshape your approach to leadership and help you build smarter, more resilient construction teams.   This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.    
Are you wasting time on leadership books that don't actually help you lead better?   If you're a construction executive trying to lead high-performing teams and reduce firefighting, this episode delivers a practical shortcut. With thousands of leadership and self-help books published each year, how do you know which ones will actually make you a better leader?    In this episode, Bradley Hartmans talks with publishing expert and author Todd Sattersten, who shares the 4 most valuable books every leader must read.   In this episode you will: Discover the single best book to help you drive meaningful change and understand the difference between leadership and management. Learn how trust, not just strategy, makes or breaks team performance—and which book helps you build it. Find out how applying leadership principles to your personal life boosts emotional intelligence, decision-making, and accountability.   Listen now to learn which four books will accelerate your leadership growth and help you lead with clarity, confidence, and control.   This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.  
Are your managers—and the colleagues that report to them—rowing in the wrong direction? If you're struggling with disengaged middle managers, miscommunication, or a culture of silence, this episode uncovers the uncomfortable truths and research-backed solutions construction leaders need to hear. As layoffs rise and managers struggle to juggle 20–50 direct reports, changing work-from-home expectations, and artificial intelligence, it's never been harder—or more important—to engage and lead effectively. In this episode you will: • Learn why only 27% of managers feel engaged—and what you can do to fix it • Discover a plug-and-play tool you can deploy immediately to increase trust and accountability • Hear real-world examples of how leadership courage transforms disengaged teams into elite performers Tap play now to uncover the exact tool and leadership mindset shift that will help you lead with clarity, accountability, and control.   To download the G.A.P.P. model document referenced in this episode, click here.   This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.  
When legendary NFL coach—and current head coach at the University of North Carolina—Bill Belichick banned New England Patriot employees from UNC premises, he may have been acting petty and immature. At the same time, he was also demonstrating the power of one strategy that could help you lead high-performing construction teams—with less stress and more control.   In this episode, we dive into the "Tit for Tat" leadership model—unpacking how emotional intelligence and fair consequences can help construction leaders handle resistance to change, avoid overreaction, and drive consistent results without micromanagement.    Whether you're managing unreliable and inconsistent subcontractors or struggling with team accountability, this strategy gives you a clear playbook.   In this episode, you will:   Learn how to mirror behavior to build trust and reinforce fairness without being passive or petty. Discover how to reduce emotional firefighting and maintain composure under pressure. Understand how one simple leadership framework can improve accountability and decision-making on your job site.   Hit play to learn how to apply "Tit for Tat" leadership and take back control of your projects—without feeling like you're babysitting your team.   The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.      This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.  
Do your Hispanic crews trust you—or are you unknowingly creating resentment, risk, and delays on your job site? Many construction leaders default to task-based trust without realizing that different cultures build trust in different ways. This leads to miscommunication, accountability issues, and slow performance—all of which can sabotage your leadership without you even knowing it. In this episode you will: Learn why your leadership style may be unintentionally creating resistance to change. Discover how cultural intelligence builds stronger teams, safer job sites, and faster schedules. Walk away with one simple action that builds trust without costing time or money. Press play to learn how cultural intelligence can eliminate confusion, improve accountability, and help you lead your team better—starting today.    This episode is brought to you by The Simple Sales Pipeline® —the most efficient way to organize and value any construction sales rep's roster of customers and prospects in under 30 minutes once every 30 days. *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.  
Is your strategy based on assumptions that haven't been tested in years? In this final episode in our mini-series on Dr. Peter Drucker's "Theory of the Business" article, Bradley Hartmann breaks down how the NCAA's outdated assumptions and refusal to adapt destroyed its hold on college football—and what construction leaders must learn to avoid the same fate.    From resistance to change to blind spots in emotional intelligence and decision-making, this real-life case study reveals how ignoring your business environment can kill your team's performance.   In this episode, you will:    Discover how one outdated belief system brought down a billion-dollar institution. Learn how to spot and correct faulty assumptions in your own leadership strategy. Understand how to use Drucker's "Theory of the Business" to guide better decisions and stronger teams.   Hit play to learn how to reinforce your leadership strategy by seeing what the NCAA failed to—and how you can lead with clarity and eliminate confusion.   You can download Drucker's seminal article here.    This episode is brought to you by The Simple Sales Pipeline® —the most efficient way to organize and value any construction sales rep's roster of customers and prospects in under 30 minutes once every 30 days. *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.  
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Comments (1)

Pamela Winder

I was in Sales for Ford and loved this career even more than my other job working in walk in clinics on my off day to keep my license and certificates for medical XRay tech and medical assistant. Believe it or not but, I helped more people selling cars. A car is a must and I agree that as long as you are honest and treat everyone the way you want to be treated along with coming to work and work like it is your company, because it really is, know your products, be positive and you will succeed! I was always at the top up until I was in a MVA going into work at the age of 38 and my spinal cord was less than 2 mm of being severed, resulting in judge ordered permanent total disability despite my pleas. So God has another plan for my life, but I loved that life!

Aug 7th
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