In episode 413, host Bradley Hartmann shares the best content he’s come across the last 90 days in three different mediums: an article, a podcast episode, and a book. Each is very much worth your time and attention and will help to turbocharge your next 90 days on the job. 1. Article: Jerry Seinfeld: The Scholar of Comedy Jerry Seinfeld’s thoughts on craft and the pursuit of mastery are instructive. Near the end there is a insightful surprise on negotiation. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the...
Jul 23, 2024•25 min
Episode 412 features Bill Heuer, co-founder of The Countertop Factory Midwest whose 2011 insights on leadership were shared in episode 411. Bill reveals lessons learned from his time at Procter & Gamble how he and his co-founder, Geoff Gran, collaborate to drive growth and profits for their countertop manufacturing companies, based in Illinois and Arizona. This present-day conversation— 13 years in the making!—includes further insights on the following topics: - The value of synchronous flow...
Jul 17, 2024•52 min
In February of 2011, Bradley Hartmann requested an interview with Bill Heuer and Geoffrey Gran, co-founders of The Countertop Factory Midwest. The interview was homework—a required 5-page paper on leadership and “new venture creation”—in Hartmann’s MBA program. The interview was granted and after 8 hours in an Elmhurst, Illinois bar, Hartmann had ample notes. In subsequent days, Hartmann presumably shook off his hangover, wrote the paper, and submitted it to his professor. What he didn’t do was ...
Jul 16, 2024•16 min
In episode 410, Zac Elenchin, a former combat medic in the US Army, shares his leadership journey and experiences with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) —as well as post-traumatic growth. Zac discusses how to develop poise under pressure, the power of servant leadership, and a highly tactical word-for-word phrase leaders can use to acknowledge their mistakes within their team. Zac then talks about his transition from the military to civilian life and his collaboration with his father on a bo...
Jul 09, 2024•45 min
In episode 409, Ryce Elliott, President at Benning Construction Co. in Atlanta joins the Construction Leadership Podcast discuss to career development, leadership, and risk management in the construction industry. Elliott shares insights on everything from the pros and cons of growing up in a town named Santa Claus to effective communication and its impact on leadership—on the job site and in the classrooms of the next generation of leaders. This episode is brought to you by The Simple Sales Pip...
Jul 02, 2024•43 min
In episode 408 of the Construction Leadership Podcast, Dr. Kofi Asare and Bradley Hartman discuss the concept of digital twins and their potential impact on the construction industry. They explore various analogies and metaphors to explain what digital twins are and how they differ from other technologies like BIM. They also discuss the promise of digital twins in terms of predictive capabilities and cost savings, as well as the challenges and costs associated with implementing them. The convers...
Jun 25, 2024•54 min
In episode 407, host Bradley Hartmann shares the most effective communication framework he's ever learned: the SBI Framework that originated within The Center for Creative Leadership. It was shared with Bradley by Jamie Dabbs of TDIndustries. SBI stands for Situation, Behavior, and Impact. The framework is so powerful because it removes emotion from the conversation while being easy to remember and easy to implement. Hartmann provides two examples of how this framework can work depending on the ...
Jun 20, 2024•36 min
In episode 406 of the Construction Leadership Podcast, host Bradley Hartmann discusses leadership and persuasion techniques that can be applied in the construction industry. Hartmann shares a story about legendary track coach, Bill Bowerman, and how he persuaded his star athlete, Steve Prefontaine, to wear a new lightweight shoe design cobbled in the coach's garage. Bowerman focused on Prefontaine's desires to break records but also addressed his underlying beliefs about shoe safety. Using simpl...
Jun 18, 2024•27 min
Through 404 episodes of the Construction Leadership Podcast, host Bradley Hartmann has ended the show with his mantra-as-battle-cry: "You Are Owed Nothing. Deliver Value First." In episode 405, Hartmann shares its unlikely origin story for the first time as he emphasizes its practical utility through examples from listeners in different industries. 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 cus...
Jun 13, 2024•14 min
In episode 404, Mark Weber of Builders FirstSource in Michigan hilariously and insightfully shares his experiences working at Taco Bell and in the electronic appliance retail business, highlighting the importance of upselling and learning to anticipate the the word 'no.' Mark emphasizes the significance of being a good mentee and the role humility has played in the trajectory of his lumber sales career. Mark’s success has been earned through his role as a reliable and proactive problem-solver fo...
Jun 11, 2024•48 min
In this replay episode, Bradley is joined by NBA Legend and Hall of Famer Bill Walton at the West Coast Lumber and Building Materials Association (WCLBMA) Annual Convention that was held October 19-21, 2022 in San Diego, CA. Bill discusses leadership lessons he learned from coaches, including John Wooden at UCLA, as well as lessons learned from reading books. Walton also embraces our mantra at The Construction Leadership Podcast - You are Owed Nothing, Deliver Value First! This episode is brough...
Jun 04, 2024•34 min
In episode 402, Randy Herrin and Bradley Hartmann discuss the topic of change management. They explore the importance of understanding human nature and the readiness capability of the organization when implementing change. They also discuss the need to set realistic expectations and invest the necessary time and effort for meaningful and lasting change. Randy shares leadership insights from two of her favorite books and discusses the role of offsite manufacturing. Herrin and Hartmann close with ...
May 28, 2024•39 min
In episode 401, host Bradley Hartmann shares his most personal story yet about a childhood event that changed his life. The story involves his father—a construction leader for four decades—a local card and comic retailer, and a professional baseball player named Kevin Maas. The event educated Bradley on value, pricing, power dynamics, the role emotions play in business, and certainly negotiation strategies an tactics. In the second half of the episode, Bradley sits down with his father to reflec...
May 21, 2024•40 min
In this conversation, Verne Harnish discusses his insights on scaling up businesses and shares his experiences with the Rockefeller Habits . He also highlights the importance of aligning people, strategy, execution, and cash in order to drive business growth. Harnish provides a list of non-obvious leaders who have influenced him, including Hubert Joly, Dr. Robert Cialdini, Dr. Hermann Simon, and Aubrey Daniels. He also challenges the notion of being a visionary and emphasizes the need for clear ...
May 14, 2024•50 min
In episode 399, Tom Asacker shares insights from his experience as a business owner, innovator, and professional magician. He emphasizes the need to understand and fulfill people's desires in order to be persuasive and influential. Tom talks about the power of having fun and enjoying the process in achieving success. He explores the role of doubt and skepticism in innovation and explains how curiosity and embracing the unknown can lead to breakthroughs. Bradley inquires about the process and lea...
May 07, 2024•49 min
In episode 398, a 2016 ESPN article written by Ethan Sherwood Strauss has been converted into a vivid and engaging case study illustrating the laws of power, influence, persuasion, and value—including what to do and what not to do. The case study examines Steph Curry's rise to fame and his disillusionment and feelings of disrespect from the leaders at Nike. His decision to sign with underdog Under Armour (UA) over Nike has redirected billions of dollars over the years—and will continue to do so ...
Apr 30, 2024•46 min
Episode 397 features an all-star lineup of leaders sharing their wisdom and experience from a recent training event held by Bradley Hartmann & Co. The panel includes: Brent Hull of Hull Works Matthew Schmidt of PulteGroup Andrew Cooper of Toll Brothers Bobby Krueger of The Krueger Group Adam Lingenfelter of Lingenfelter Custom Homes Dave Reichert of Davis-Hawn Lumber and Architectural Millworks This episode is brought to you by The Simple Sales Pipeline® —the most efficient way to organize a...
Apr 23, 2024•57 min
In episode 396 of The Construction Leadership Podcast, Dr. Felix Oberholzer-Gee joins the show to discuss his book, Better Simpler Strategy and the simple, yet powerful concept of The Value Stick, Felix is the Andreas Andresen Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. An award-winning instructor, his academic work and consulting are focused on competitive strategy and the effects of digital technology on corporate performance. His research has been profiled by the Financia...
Apr 16, 2024•50 min
In episode 395 of The Construction Leadership Podcast, Jessica Herrala of Buildots joins the show to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) is improving the construction process through better communication and progress tracking. Jessica is a strategic thinking veteran of some of the most well-known brands in construction: Lend Lease, Skansa, Walsh, and Clayco. Jessica and I talk about the insights she's earned throughout her career within those large firms and why she joined Buildots to help ...
Apr 09, 2024•40 min
Episode 394 features an all-star trio competing in our fifth Construction Leadership Game Show: Colby Chandler, Sales Manager at Cassity Jones Building Products Meloni Raney, CEO of TEXO Association Kevin Carey, CEO of Mountain Mover Facades and host of the 17Twenty Podcast . Among other relevant insights that can help you become a better manager and leader, these leaders share their favorite leadership movie and identify which job site tool best describes their leadership style and explain why....
Apr 02, 2024•23 min
In episode 393, Human Resources expert Joel Stevens joins returning guest / movie guru Matt Potter (ep. 302: Elf , 233: Glengarry Glen Ross , 173: Tommy Boy ) to break down the key leadership scenes in the 2009 film, Up In The Air, which earned six Acadamy Award nominations. Here's IMDB's storyline: Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) enjoys living out of a suitcase for his job, travelling around the country firing people, but finds that lifestyle threatened by the presence of a potential love interes...
Mar 26, 2024•53 min
In episode 392, Bill Ness, founder of 55places.com, joins The Construction Leadership Podcast to share his journey from new home sales consultant at Del Webb to launching the premier destination for active adults searching for a new home. Bill Ness discusses: His initial steps from original insight to early implementation The sales pitch that changed his life Challenges and opportunities to delivering value online And much more 55places.com is exclusively dedicated to serving the 55+ community. ...
Mar 19, 2024•46 min
In episode 391, Wes Palmisano joins The Construction Leadership Podcast from New Orleans to talk about how renegade thinking drives revolutionary results. For over a decade, Wes has pursued a new vision of the construction industry through his collective of brands and initiatives. Wes launched Palmisano Construction in 2013 with 11 team members and the company’s signature renegade style and cultivation of a culture where everyone could make and break the mold. With the company’s success and grow...
Mar 12, 2024•48 min
Brad Jacobs is venturing into building materials distribution with a new firm branded QXO . His initial forecast is $1B in revenue in Year 1 and at least $5B within three years. How, you may ask, does he plan to do that? Well, he wrote on book on it, humbly titled, How to Make a Few Billion Dollars , which I would absolutely recommend to a friend. Upon hearing the news, Jon Vaughan and Bradley Hartmann dropped what they were doing and bought the book, listened to eight hours of past Brad Jacobs ...
Mar 07, 2024•43 min
In episode 389, Steve Swinney, CEO of Kodiak Building Partners , joins the show. Steve and Bradley discuss how Kodiak integrates new companies following an acquisition, how to develop trust with authenticity, intention, and speed—and how Steve would improve the long-standing culture of mediocrity within the greatest NFL franchise of all-time, the Chicago Bears. As CEO of Kodiak Building Partners, Steve is responsible for the overall vision, strategy, and execution of Kodiak’s business plan. Stev...
Mar 05, 2024•46 min
In episode 388, Amber Percival joins the Construction Leadership Podcast to discuss the recent sale of her second generation hearth distribution business, Urban Hearth, based on Perth, Ontario. Amber candidly shares insights on her negotiation tactics, concessions, mindset during the 1.5-year process, the challenges of secrecy among the people in the business she cared about most, and how her core values were tested until the deal closed. Amber and I close this episode with strong reminder to en...
Feb 27, 2024•54 min
In episode 387, journalist Hamilton Nolan joins the show to talk about his new book, The Hammer: Power, Inequality, and The Struggle for the Soul of Labor. Hamilton Nolan is a labor journalist who writes regularly for In These Times magazine and The Guardian . He has written about labor, politics, and class war for The New York Times , the Washington Post , Gawker , Splinter , and other publications. He was the longest-serving writer in Gawker’s history, and was a leader in unionizing Gawker Med...
Feb 20, 2024•37 min
In episode 386, Farrell Middleton joins the show to talk about his home building career and the insights he's learned along the way regarding management, leadership, and how to navigate the Bell Curve of Life. After a successful 36-year career in production homebuilding, Farrell moved into his long-awaited second career as a teacher, mentor, life coach, and guide. The Bell Curve of Life is his unique teaching, coaching, and mentoring program that focuses on circumstances that people find themsel...
Feb 13, 2024•46 min
In episode 385, David Ling, President of Beisser Lumber in Iowa joins the show to talk innovation, continuous improvement, and the value of an outside perspective. And! As we anticipate Super Bowl LVIII between the 49ers and the Chiefs (please win, Niners, please . . .), David shares a unique and engaging way Beisser Lumber brought the construction industry and the local high school football scene closer together. Thank you for listening! You can view clips from this episode on our YouTube chann...
Feb 07, 2024•41 min
In episode 384, Mario Hernandez, Director of Business Planning Analytics at PrimeSource Building Products—hosting us all in their PrimeSource Studios in Dallas!—is joined by Jamie Dabbs, Vice President of Safety, Health & Environmental at TDIndustries, Inc., and Stewart Shurtleff, Chief Legal Officer of Osburn Contractors and host of the 17Twenty Podcast. These men will battle it to provide the most insightful and entertaining leadership responses to the only game show focusing on constructi...
Jan 30, 2024•28 min
