The future of construction isn’t just about technology—it’s about how leaders respond to change.
In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Brian Turmail, Vice President of Public Affairs and Strategic Initiatives at the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), to explore what construction leadership and change management in the AEC industry will require moving into 2026 and beyond.
This conversation reframes a common challenge: many change initiatives fail not because of strategy, but because of how they’re led. Instead, Brian highlights the growing importance of empathy, communication, and human-centered leadership in navigating workforce shortages, technology adoption, and economic uncertainty.
Together, they unpack how industry-wide challenges—from labor gaps to innovation adoption—are interconnected, and why collaboration across the AEC ecosystem is critical to progress.
From culture and workforce development to trust and communication, this episode explores how leaders can reduce change fatigue and guide teams through uncertainty with clarity and confidence.
This isn’t just about the future of construction—it’s about how leaders prepare for it.
What you’ll learn:
- Why change initiatives fail—and how leadership influences outcomes
- The role of empathy and communication in effective change management
- How workforce shortages and technology adoption are reshaping the industry
- Why collaboration across the AEC ecosystem is critical to progress
- How leaders can reduce change fatigue and build trust across teams
Who this is for:
Construction leaders, executives, and AEC professionals focused on leadership development, workforce challenges, and navigating industry change.
Chapters
05:00 - Challenges in the Construction Industry
15:00 - The Role of Technology and Innovation
25:00 - Cultural Shifts and Workforce Development
35:00 - Importance of Human Connection and Empathy
45:00 - Future Outlook and Call to Action
Guest
Brian Turmail is Vice President of Public Affairs and Strategic Initiatives at the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), where he leads communications, workforce initiatives, and industry advocacy for over 27,000 member firms.
He focuses on workforce development, industry insights, and advancing construction through policy, education, and collaboration.
https://www.agc.org/industry-priorities/project-innovation-delivery
https://buildculture.org/
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