Hard Hat to CEO with Chris Gilman

What if the hardest conversation you keep avoiding is the one your team needs most? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris G talks with Irvine Nugent of Conflict EQ about how leaders can face conflict with more courage, care, and calm. Irvin shares how growing up in Northern Ireland shaped his work, and how one painful leadership moment taught him the cost of avoiding hard talks. They discuss why conflict spreads through a company, how pressure affects our reactions, and why listening can change the whole tone of a conversation. This episode is full of real stories and simple steps to help leaders build trust, stay grounded, and lead with more clarity.

Dr. Irvine Nugent is a leadership and conflict expert who helps leaders turn tension into connection. Drawing on lived experience from Northern Ireland, deep expertise in emotional intelligence, and senior leadership roles, he empowers individuals and teams to navigate conflict constructively and lead with clarity, resilience, and impact.

Connect with Dr. Irvine:

Website: https://www.conflicteq.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irvinenugent

Episode highlights

(0:00) Intro

(0:48) Irvine’s background and Conflict EQ

(1:41) Why most conflict is personal

(3:17) Why communication is not always enough

(6:11) A leadership lesson from losing a key employee

(11:01) Staying calm under pressure

(13:30) Helping people feel heard

(22:19) When CEOs should step in

(27:00) How healthy conflict leads to better decisions

(30:49) How to connect with Irvine

(31:32) Outro

Connect with Hard Hat to CEO on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BrHqc3wdF/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardhattoceo/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcgilman/

Are your New Year’s goals already slipping away? In this episode, Chris G. talks about why 90-day goals work better than big yearly plans that feel too far away. He shares how checking in every six weeks can help you see what is working, what needs to change, and what you should do next. Chris also talks about the power of writing down your wins, rewarding yourself, and picturing what success will feel like. With real stories from business, coaching, and life, he shows how small steps build confidence and help you become a stronger leader. This episode is a friendly push to stop waiting, take action, and keep moving toward the CEO role your business needs.

Episode highlights

(0:00) Intro

(0:26) Why quarterly goal reviews matter

(1:25) The problem with annual and five-year goals

(3:08) How reviewing goals helps you fix problems early

(3:57) Looking back at wins and progress

(4:39) Why rewards can keep you motivated

(5:09) Using visualization to build confidence

(7:01) Taking a chance and asking for the opportunity

(8:33) Making better daily choices based on your goals

(10:39) Growing from hard hat to CEO

(11:32) What to review in your 90-day check-in

(13:31) Outro

Connect with Hard Hat to CEO on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BrHqc3wdF/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardhattoceo/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcgilman/

What if trying to save money on real estate ends up costing you more in the long run? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris G talks with New Zealand real estate investor and buyer's agent Hadley Nightingale about how to build a smart property portfolio. Hadley shares why rental income can give you more choices in life, why the deal starts with buying the right property, and why doing your homework before you buy is so important. He also explains why investors should know their goals before looking at houses, how a buyer’s agent can help, and why managing rentals yourself can get stressful fast. From multifamily properties to maintenance costs and lessons learned the hard way, this episode gives real, honest advice for anyone wanting to grow their money tree into an orchard.

Hadley Nightingale is a New Zealand-based real estate investor, buyer's agent, and business owner with around 20 years of property experience. He started his current real estate company in 2020 and has grown it into a team of 13, offering buyers agency, project management, and property management services. Hadley mainly focuses on multifamily properties and small developments, helping investors build strong portfolios that can create long-term income. After learning hard lessons from his own early property mistakes, he now helps clients buy smarter, plan clearly, and avoid costly problems.

Connect with Hadley:

Website: https://www.newzealandpropertybuyers.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hadleyn/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/hadleynightingale/

Episode highlights

(0:00) Intro

(1:10) Meet Hadley Nightingale

(1:58) Why building a real estate portfolio matters

(3:29) Making money when you buy, not when you sell

(4:44) Why strategy comes before property shopping

(8:05) The value of using a buyer’s agent

(10:23) How AI is changing real estate work

(13:36) Why owners should not always be operators

(15:17) Key due diligence checks before buying

(17:00) A strong multifamily success story

(20:11) Investing in New Zealand as a foreign buyer

(21:40) Hadley’s biggest early real estate lesson

(23:08) Where to find and learn more from Hadley

(23:35) Outro

Connect with Hard Hat to CEO on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BrHqc3wdF/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardhattoceo/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcgilman/

Could small money leaks be quietly hurting your construction business? In this episode, Chris G shares a story about a water bill problem that looked like a huge leak, then shows how the same thing can happen with business profits. He explains that contractors often lose money through unclear quotes, missed change orders, poor job planning, and weak cash flow. Chris also shares why writing things down, charging for big quotes, asking for deposits, and using draw schedules can help protect your business. His main message is simple: know what money is coming in, what money is going out, and when you are getting paid. Small leaks can grow fast, so find them early and get the right help.

Episode highlights:

(0:00) Intro

(0:26) Frustrating profit leaks

(3:40) Clear quotes and pricing

(5:20) Change orders, markup, and protecting your time

(8:20) Bad estimating and job scope

(10:52) Cash flow problems

(14:07) Controlling money in your business

(16:06) Outro

Connect with Hard Hat to CEO on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BrHqc3wdF/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardhattoceo/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcgilman/

What if the biggest wins in life and business come from doing a few simple things better? In this episode, Chris G shares honest lessons he learned the hard way and hopes others can learn from too. He talks about why listening matters, not just hearing words, but paying attention to people, your team, your clients, and your family. He also shares why quiet time helps you think, why goals need a real plan, and why action should be clear and steady, not rushed. Chris tells a funny story about moving too fast, then explains why it is smart to adjust when things do not go as planned. He ends with thoughts on prayer, gratitude, and looking for the good each day.

Episode highlights:

(0:00) Intro

(0:47) Listening well

(2:20) Setting aside time to think

(3:12) Write down goals and plans

(4:31) Asking for help

(4:55) Taking action

(5:39) A story about impatience

(8:47) Making changes

(10:29) Prayer and gratitude

(13:13) Outro

Connect with Hard Hat to CEO on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BrHqc3wdF/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardhattoceo/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcgilman/

What do you do when fear, debt, and bad choices all hit at the same time? In this episode, Chris G shares simple but powerful lessons from years of hard business struggles. He talks about getting stuck in bad partnerships, learning that help does not have to mean giving up control, and why hiring the right people can save you money and stress in the long run. He also explains how pride can keep you in bad situations too long, and why sometimes the smartest move is to walk away. Most of all, he reminds listeners to face problems early, ask for help, and stay thankful for family, friends, health, and the chance to keep going.

Episode highlights:

(0:00) Intro

(0:36) Painful lessons from business and life

(2:02) Fear of doing it alone and bad partnerships

(5:31) Hiring help and paying for good people

(10:07) Why walking away can be the smart move

(11:19) Facing the hard truth, asking for help, and staying thankful

(14:23) Outro

Connect with Hard Hat to CEO on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BrHqc3wdF/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardhattoceo/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcgilman/

Why do so many contractors stay busy all day and still feel stuck? In this episode, Chris G talks with Brad Huebner, a former Marine, business coach, and host of the Hammer and Grind podcast. Brad shares how he spent years working hard but still did not get the results he wanted. What changed? He learned he was not charging enough, not hiring the right people, and not using a real sales process. This talk breaks down how better pricing, better team members, and clear systems can help a business grow. Brad also explains why customers pay more when they trust you and see the value. It is an honest, helpful talk for contractors and business owners who want to stop doing everything themselves and start running a stronger business.

Brad Huebner is a contractor coach, podcast host, author, and former Marine from Southern Indiana. He served four years in the Marine Corps as an infantryman, then went on to build a construction business focused on high-end handyman work and residential remodeling. According to his published bios, he completed more than 2,500 jobs for over 900 customers before shifting his focus to coaching contractors. He is the founder of Hammer & Grind, where he teaches business owners about pricing, sales, leadership, systems, and profit. He also hosts the Hammer & Grind: Built For Contractors podcast and wrote The Contractor Profit Blueprint, a book centered on helping contractors grow profit and gain more freedom in their businesses.

Connect with Brad:

Website: https://www.hammerandgrind.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradhuebner/

Tune in to the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/32vbr5uu

Episode highlights

(0:00) Intro

(0:58) Brad’s background and how he got into construction

(2:16) Why he struggled in business for years

(7:00) Building a team and learning how to lead people

(8:45) Why hiring better people matters

(14:11) Margin vs markup in simple terms

(19:46) Why being efficient is not enough by itself

(23:05) How to sell value instead of just giving a price

(29:19) Setting customer expectations early

(37:53) Brad’s podcast and free book offer

(40:26) Outro

Connect with Hard Hat to CEO on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BrHqc3wdF/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardhattoceo/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcgilman/

What do successful business owners all have in common? According to Chris Gilman, their habits look surprisingly similar. In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris shares the simple but powerful principles that separate struggling businesses from thriving ones. From taking full responsibility to building strong systems, he explains the real mindset that drives long-term success. Chris also opens up about mistakes he made, like hiring cheap help and trying to do everything alone, and what finally changed his business. You will also hear why protecting your time, hiring the right team, and staying consistent matter more than luck. If you want practical lessons from someone who has lived it, this episode gives clear guidance you can use right away.

Episode highlights:

(0:27) Taking full ownership in business

(2:29) Making decisions for the long term

(3:40) Building systems and documenting everything

(5:32) Hiring the right people early

(7:46) Protecting your time like an asset

(10:02) Staying consistent and building culture

(12:48) Simplifying your business as you grow

(14:10) Why success is built, not luck

Connect with Hard Hat to CEO on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BrHqc3wdF/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardhattoceo/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcgilman/

What if the real key to growing a construction business is not building faster, but building trust first? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris G talks with Gil Vaisman about how he went from TV editor to ADU builder in California and created a business focused on strong client experience. Gil explains what ADUs are, why they can turn home equity into real income, and how his low-cost entry offer helps win more of the right clients. He also shares how he spots red flags early, handles change orders clearly, keeps quality high, and thinks carefully about growth. This is a practical talk for contractors and owners who want better systems, better clients, and fewer painful surprises.

Gil Vaisman grew up going to construction sites from a young age. A firm believer that a great ADU can improve your life dramatically, he started building ADUs in 2017. Since then, he has devoted himself exclusively to building ADUs. He loves witnessing clients’ garages transformed into functional design, whether due to extra living space or meaningful rental income. In his spare time, Gil enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, as well as training for marathons (he’s completed four).

Connect with Gil

Go ADU - https://www.goadu.com/

Vaisman Construction - https://www.vaismanconstruction.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilvaisman/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/gil.vaisman/

Episode highlights:

(1:20) Gil’s path from film to construction and why he chose ADUs

(3:53) What an ADU is and why demand is growing

(6:15) Client-first policies, payment structure, and trust-building

(12:57) Red flags, pricing confidence, and choosing the right clients

(18:38) Handling mistakes, change orders, and tough conversations

(24:45) Smart construction, team coordination, and using AI

(30:50) Growing without losing quality or speed

Connect with Hard Hat to CEO on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BrHqc3wdF/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardhattoceo/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcgilman/

What would you do with an extra 40 hours every month? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris Gilman shares simple ways contractors can stop losing time to repeat questions, constant interruptions, phone calls, and fixing the same problems again and again. He explains why clear systems, job standards, and better delegation help your team work without needing you for every little decision. Chris also talks about the cost of micromanaging, the value of using software for scheduling and job updates, and why freedom should be the real goal of your business. This episode is a strong reminder that when you build a business with trust, structure, and clear expectations, you get back time, lower stress, and create room for real growth.

Episode highlights

(0:00) Intro

(2:15) Stop patching problems and fix the real issue

(2:55) Set job standards so your team knows what to do

(4:22) Why micromanaging wastes time and slows growth

(5:32) A personal story about systems during a health crisis

(7:02) Cut phone calls with better delegation and software

(9:24) Stay focused on goals instead of distractions

(10:09) Freedom, trust, and getting your time back

Connect with Hard Hat to CEO on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BrHqc3wdF/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardhattoceo/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcgilman/