In this interview, Ben Hopkins discusses:

• A bit about his time in US Air Force in the backseat of an F-15E Strike Eagle
• His background in Fulfillment Centers and Distribution Centers (FC/DC)
• What motivated him to launch The Warehouse Underground Podcast and website
• The best thing about working in an FC/DC?
• Which type of people excel in an FC/DC?
• His favorite leadership book and quote

Ben Hopkins is a USAF Veteran who spent time as a Weapons Systems Officer in the back of an F-15E Strike Eagle. Currently, he is the Founder and host of The Warehouse Underground🦺Website & Podcast Series🎙️REAL talk for warehouse, distribution center, & fulfillment center professionals of all levels around the globe!

Ben is a battle tested proven leader and "results getter" in the world of warehouse/distribution and operations.

He has multi-site leadership experience nationwide simultaneously (CA, WI, PA, TN.) Two ERP and WMS implementations. Planned and designed 200,000 square foot green field distribution center to include use of 21st century automation with conveyor belt actuated sortation, multi-level pick modules, and VNA racking preparation.

Ben has grown, developed, and promoted countless warehouse and distribution mangers, floor leaders, and inventory control specialists.

Prefer to watch the video?

Check out the 37th episode of the "Real People Getting Real Results!" interview series featuring Ben Hopkins interviewed by Mack Story under the playlist titled "Real People Getting Real Results! on the Blue-Collar Leadership YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@BlueCollarLeadership

Be sure to subscribe while you're there, and tap the 🔔 to be notified of future video releases in this series.

#leadershiptips #leadershippodcast #leadershipmindset #success #warehousemanagement  #warehouseoperations #leadership #bluecollarleadership #logistics 

In today’s hyper-connected world, your social media presence isn’t just personal anymore; it’s often the first impression a hiring manager gets before they even open your resume.

What you post, like, or comment on can quietly signal your professionalism, judgment, and emotional maturity (or the lack thereof).

A single ill-timed rant, a subtle dig at your boss, or an old spring-break photo that never got untagged can instantly move your application from the “yes” pile to the trash without you ever knowing why.

The good news is that avoiding the most common pitfalls is straightforward once you know what recruiters are quietly screening for.

By keeping your online voice positive, authentic, and drama-free, you protect your reputation, you not only safeguard your current job search but also build a personal brand that makes opportunities come to you.

In this episode, I dive into the seven subtle (and not-so-subtle) social media habits that silently sabotage even the most qualified candidates, and exactly how to clean up your digital footprint before it costs you your next big role.

#socialmediatips #leadershippodcast #jobsearchtips

Mack Story unpacks the subtle yet powerful ways distrust creeps into relationships, both personal and professional, often without us realizing it.

By sharing practical strategies, Mack equips listeners to recognize and counteract distrust, fostering stronger, more resilient connections with their teams and loved ones.

Mack explains how seemingly minor actions—like forgetting to say thank you, ignoring a colleague, or taking someone’s efforts for granted—can create distrust faster than trust is built, as distrust taps directly into our emotions.

Drawing from personal anecdotes, like his appreciation for his wife Ria’s cooking, Mack illustrates how automatic or accidental distrust accumulates over time, especially with those closest to us. He emphasizes that without intentional trust-building efforts, relationships risk deteriorating into divorce, workplace conflicts, or stagnation, using real-world examples to highlight the stakes in blue-collar environments.

Mack challenges leaders to offset unintentional distrust by actively building trust through consistent, caring actions, such as acknowledging others’ contributions or showing genuine respect.

Mack contrasts the ease of reconnecting with old friends—where trust remains intact due to time apart—with the daily erosion that occurs in close relationships when trust isn’t nurtured.

Mack Story explores the essential art of building rapport as the gateway to trust in blue-collar leadership. This episode equips listeners with actionable strategies to connect authentically, strengthen teams, and lead with influence rooted in care.

Drawing from Christian Simpson's insight, "When building rapport, we are conveying to others, 'I’m like you, so it’s okay for you to like me,'" Mack explains how relating to others—through shared language, actions, and appearance—creates safety and openness.

However, Mack stresses that true rapport begins with sincere intent and unconditional care for the other person.

In the demanding world of blue-collar work, where quick connections can make or break teams, Mack shares how genuine concern transcends superficial differences, allowing leaders to foster deep, instant bonds that people feel immediately.

Mack delves into practical ways to build trust through consistent "deposits," from simple gestures like calling someone by name or offering a pat on the back, to larger acts like believing in a teammate's potential or providing real help in tough times.

Mack warns against manipulative intent, emphasizing that people intuitively sense when care is authentic versus self-serving.

For blue-collar leaders, Mack outlines how to make ongoing trust deposits without expecting withdrawals, creating resilient relationships that withstand inevitable setbacks.

Mack Story dives into the critical role of trust as the foundation of influence in leadership. This episode offers actionable insights for leaders to cultivate trust, enhance their influence, and build stronger teams.

Drawing from his experiences and insights from thought leaders like Stephen M. R. Covey and John C. Maxwell, Mack emphasizes that trust is built on a solid foundation of intent and character.

He explains how 87% of a leader’s influence stems from their values, consistent actions, and ability to connect with others, while only 13% relies on technical skills.

Through real-world examples, Mack illustrates how trust shapes relationships and drives results, warning that without it, leadership falters. He challenges listeners to focus on building their character first, as it’s the key to creating sustainable, high-trust relationships that withstand adversity.

Mack also explores the dynamic nature of trust, highlighting that every interaction either strengthens or weakens it.

Quoting Peter Drucker, he underscores the importance of unspoken communication in building trust and shares practical strategies for blue-collar leaders to align their intent with their actions.

From his time in Guatemala with John Maxwell to everyday workplace scenarios, Mack shows how character-driven influence creates a ripple effect, fostering collaboration and inspiring others to follow.

In this interview, Mike Chiles discusses:

• Being on the MAP: Making it Happen, Allowing it to Happen, & Preventing it from Happening
• His takeaways from The 5 Types of Leaders online video course
• How your actions reveal your values
• His focus on becoming a better father and husband
• Taking responsibility as a leader at work and at home
• Continuous improvement of self and processes
• His personal growth and leadership journey

Mike Chiles lives in Blue Springs, MO on the eastern outskirts of Kansas City, and is a Project Director with JE Dunn Construction. He’s been with JE Dunn nearly 20 years!

Mike is a student of personal growth and leadership development and has a passion for sharing what he’s learning with others. He’s also a student of Lean Construction and leverages the principles of Lean to make his projects and his teams much more efficient.

Mike is a husband and a father of four children. As he’s intentionally grown and developed himself, being a better role model while growing and developing his children has become an even higher priority.

Want to watch the video version?

Check out the 36th episode of the "Real People Getting Real Results!" interview series featuring Mike Chiles interviewed by Mack Story by visiting the Blue-Collar Leadership YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@BlueCollarLeadership and be sure to take a look the previous interviews in this series. All can be found under the playlist titled "Real People Getting Real Results!"

Be sure to subscribe while you're there, and tap the 🔔 to be notified of future releases in this series.

#leadershippodcast #personalgrowth #leadershipmindset #leanconstruction #projectmanager #construction  #constructionindustry #successmindset #leadership #bluecollarleadership #growthmindset 

In this interview, Greg Crumpton discusses:

• Working at Service Logic which has made over 100 acquisitions
• Selling his company (#8) to Service Logic where he now works as Vice-President
• That “Leaders are readers!”
• Blocking out time to learn
• The hardest thing for some people is saying “No”
• The importance of mentoring and guiding young people
• His book deepKnowledge: Do More; Be More; Succeed More
• His passion for learning from those who have been through the fire

Greg Crumpton lives in Greenville, SC and is Vice President of Service Logic, the largest privately held HVAC and mechanical services company in North America with over 8,000 team members. He has over 43 years of experience in providing integrated solutions that optimize energy efficiency, comfort, productivity, health and safety for commercial, institutional and mission critical real estate.

Greg is the author of deepKnowledge. He says, “When I first began contemplating this book, I envisioned it as a chronicle of my experiences and lessons learned while forging a path in the HVAC industry. However, what I’ve come to realize is that I was writing this book in part to connect with people who haven’t yet figured out what they want to do in life…the ‘untouched.’ What I mean is they haven’t been touched yet by what may be exciting to them, or what they find interesting.” 

Greg also believes in giving back to his community and supporting causes that matter to him, such as Bring Back the Trades, CommonPlace Coffee and Nomad Futurist, and other associations that are helping rebuild the Trades in the USA. His personal and professional goals are to serve the people he works with and for, and to transfer his knowledge and relationships to the current generation.

Contact Greg by email at: [email protected] 

Be sure to check out his website at: GregCrumpton.com 

Don't miss the video recording of this podcast...the 35th episode of the "Real People Getting Real Results!" interview series featuring Greg Crumpton interviewed by Mack Story. Visit the Blue-Collar Leadership YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@BlueCollarLeadership and check out this and the previous video interviews in this series which can be found under the playlist titled "Real People Getting Real Results!"

Be sure to subscribe while you're there, and tap the 🔔 to be notified of future releases in this video interview series.

#leadershiptips #leadershippodcast #leadershipmindset #success #deepKnowledge #HVAC #HVACindustry #HVACtech #successmindset #leadership #bluecollarleadership #growthmindset 

Ever caught yourself pushing your team harder for your own deadlines without considering what’s in it for them?

This episode draws from Mack Story's insights in "Defining Influence" to highlight the power of intent in blue-collar leadership, distinguishing low-impact manipulation from high-impact motivation.

Perfect for mechanics, welders, or any hands-on foreman, Mack will break down why believing "I'm here to serve others" fosters trust and moves your crew to action, while a self-serving attitude creates distrust and reduces your influence in the workplace.

Engage with key "Stop and Think" reflections: Does self-concern build or destroy trust, and how does that affect your influence?

Mack covers how principles—like adapting to individual differences—outperform one-size-fits-all practices, using examples from parenting parallels to workplace dynamics.

Discover the value of empathy in recognizing what truly benefits your team, and learn from personal stories of transformation to elevate your leadership.

By focusing on mutual gains and demonstrating genuine care, you'll increase your effectiveness, strengthen relationships, and lead with the kind of integrity that transforms groups of people working together into empowered teams making things happen together.

Find out what kind of leader you are and what kind of leader you report to at The5TypesOfLeaders.com

In this episode, Mack Story dives into the core of what makes a great leader in the trades and the impact of the intent behind your actions and words.

Drawing from his insights in "Defining Influence," he explore how your inner character shapes your influence with co-workers. Whether you're a foreman directing a construction team or a mechanic leading those working under the hood, understanding that intent is the bedrock of trust can transform how your team responds to you.

Mack will break down why first impressions hinge on your motives and how hiding a shady agenda can erode your authority fast.

He’ll also tackle real-world scenarios with thought-provoking questions to help you stop and think: When a coworker builds trust with you, does their influence grow? Flip it around—what happens when distrust creeps in?

By internalizing these principles, you'll learn to shift from manipulation to genuine motivation, boosting your effectiveness and opening up more options in your blue-collar career. Tune in to discover how aligning your 'why' with honest intent can elevate your leadership game and foster unbreakable team bonds.

Find out what kind of leader you are and what kind of leader you report to at The5TypesOfLeaders.com

Explore how negative self-talk erodes hope and often leads to life-altering despair. Then, consider how modeling unshakeable character allows you to increase your influence. Learn to borrow belief from others and cultivate habits that reflect integrity which will allow you to turn personal struggles into powerful examples of resilience.

Looking for resources? You'll find them at BlueCollarLeadership.com