By Nic Bittle
5
3434 ratings
The podcast currently has 33 episodes available.
In this episode, Nic and Tarina talk about his journey of writing multiple books, the challenges he faced, and the lessons learned along the way. As you will hear, it wasn’t all puppies and rainbows. He shares how people need micro-learning to help reinforce what they read or what they learn in a workshop, which explains the origins of his Leadership DRIP YouTube videos. They also discuss some of his early writing experiences and how his process evolved.
With over four book completed, Nic knows the ups and downs, ins and outs, of writing and publishing. His dedication and commitment to developing leaders is clear. You’ll want to stay to the end to hear about his latest project: how he has adapted his work into a leadership training curriculum for high school students called Life Ready (see link below).
Here are some key take-aways:
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🛟 Click here to order your copy of Nic’s Life Ready Curriculum
🧰 Check out Nic’s new solution for foremen: The Foreman's Inner Circle
💬 To subscribe to Nic’s Leadership DRIP, please text the word “DRIP” to 866-998-4545 then follow the prompts.
❓ If you have questions or comments for Nic & Tarina, please send an email to [email protected].
🎬 Check out Nic's Work Force Pro YouTube channel.
📚 Nic has written 4 books. You can decide which one is best for you here.
It’s autumn and football season and Tarina is happy with the change of season. This means making sliders for the Crusaders football team.
Nic and Tarina continue their discussion on his book, Know This Do That. First up to bat is the need for apprentices to eliminate the phrase, “I know.” Why? It’s important to demonstrate humility and coachability. Even if you to do know, listen for Nic’s suggestion for how to respond when asked, “Do you know how to do this?”
“No one accomplishes anything great alone,” says Nic’s mentor, Mark LeBlanc. Tarina shares how a coach kicked her out of high school basketball practice for talking back. This proved a transformational moment in her life, helping her make better choices. Nic’s gratitude for the mentors he’s had in his life is worth the listen.
Great mentors go beyond the hard skills of the trade. Great mentors focus on building on your smart skills, the knowledge and ability to navigate difficult relationships, the right things to say, and showing up on time. If you’ve got a decade or more experience, then find someone to be a mentor to.
If you enjoy Nic and Tarina’s podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.
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🧰 Check out Nic’s new solution for foremen: The Foreman's Inner Circle
💬 To subscribe to Nic’s Leadership DRIP, please text the word “DRIP” to 866-998-4545 then follow the prompts.
❓ If you have questions or comments for Nic & Tarina, please send an email to [email protected].
🎬 Check out Nic's Work Force Pro YouTube channel.
📚 Nic has written 4 books. You can decide which one is best for you here.
Nic shares the quote: “Margin is the space between your load and your limits.” And Tarina illustrates it with the two-lane highway and the space along the side of the road. It’s a buffer in your schedule, your heart, and your capacity. It’s room for error.
In this episode, they talk about Chapters 8-11 of Nic’s book, Know This Do That. The negative question a lot of people to ask themselves sound like, “Why does the coach hate me?” The positive version soundS like, “What can I do to getter better, faster, stronger?” It’s about taking responsibility for your actions and not blaming anyone or anything.
“You are where you are because of the decisions you’ve made.” Just because you weren’t born into a Big Oil family doesn’t give you permission to make excuses or not fly commercial. To paraphrase Confucius, the best time to plant a tree was ten years ago. The next best time is today.
This episode is about four things that will help you grow into becoming a high-value employee. You make not like the answers Nic and Tarina give, but they are true and practical. As Nic shares, we all have the same job: It’s to solve problems. Solving problems is the pathway to being more valuable. We all choose our path, our mindset, and how we talk to ourselves.
Someone smart enough to apply these insights will be happier and do bigger and better work. Why? Because it’s what’s needed. Because it works.
If you enjoy Nic and Tarina’s podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.
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🧰 Check out Nic’s new solution for foremen: The Foreman's Inner Circle
💬 To subscribe to Nic’s Leadership DRIP, please text the word “DRIP” to 866-998-4545 then follow the prompts.
❓ If you have questions or comments for Nic & Tarina, please send an email to [email protected].
🎬 Check out Nic's Work Force Pro YouTube channel.
📚 Nic has written 4 books. You can decide which one is best for you here.
In this episode, Tarina and Nic talk about dropping off their daughter at college. As Tarina says, “Elle is now far, far away.” Nic describes his own moment when it really started to hurt as he watched Elle, during orientation, being too nervous to admit she was nervous.
During the orientation session for parents, they explained the “W” model and the likely path and feelings their new freshman would experience their first year. It always starts with a honeymoon period followed by culture shock then a rebound. It’s a lot of ups and downs and parents have a job to self-regulate and refrain from trying to fix everything.
Chapter 6 and 7 of Nic’s book Know This Do That are discussed. As Nic highlights, putting a man on the moon takes someone who’s willing to push a broom and clean a toilet. What we take pride in ultimately reflects who we are.
The same is true for who we surround ourselves with. If your friends, Nic says, are talking more about what video games they’re playing than what investments they’re making, you may want to switch things up a bit.
Parents do this intentionally when they pick what city to live in, what school to send their kids to, and what church to attend. Nic tells of being the beneficiary of some “Larry Bittle Crap” (runs in the family, I guess) about choosing what pond Nic would fish in. The proof is in the pudding since Nic reeled in Tarina and got his proud angler award.
If you enjoy Nic and Tarina’s podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.
---
🧰 Check out Nic’s new solution for foremen: The Foreman's Inner Circle
💬 To subscribe to Nic’s Leadership DRIP, please text the word “DRIP” to 866-998-4545 then follow the prompts.
❓ If you have questions or comments for Nic & Tarina, please send an email to [email protected].
🎬 Check out Nic's Work Force Pro YouTube channel.
📚 Nic has written 4 books. You can decide which one is best for you here.
In this episode, Tarina shares a big announcement and Nic talks about how his dad used to drag him out of church when he’d misbehave.
In this episode, Nic and Tarina talk about the in’s and out’s, do’s and don’ts of constructive criticism. First, on the punch list knowing that for criticism to be constructive it has to be information that someone can use to do better.
Unfortunately, many superintendents and foremen call “constructive criticism” isn’t constructive at all. It’s just plain insulting. So, when done badly, you run the risk of creating resentment, not improvement.
Kind of like Nic’s dad, you want your apprentice or direct report to “find Jesus somewhere between the church pew and the door.” Your criticism, then, needs to be done in private and after you’ve already created an environment where praise for what your people do well is heard more often than what they do wrong.
A lot of us lead the way we were led. And despite all his know-how, Nic confesses how in the heat of the moment (especially in an airport—almost always in an airport) he has to consciously channel the best version of himself. If he doesn’t, he says he’ll probably get tazed or give the person he yells at a $96 tip (true story).
Real leaders develop their people. They give them time and space to discover how they can do better—which is more effective than the old school way of “if it stings it sticks” method. People are going to make mistakes. Most of them are survivable. You and your team, though, will grow when they know you’ve got their back—especially as they learn their way to success. It’s sometimes hard, but you can leave them better off.
If you enjoy Nic and Tarina’s podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.
---
🧰 Check out Nic’s new solution for foremen: The Foreman's Inner Circle
💬 To subscribe to Nic’s Leadership DRIP, please text the word “DRIP” to 866-998-4545 then follow the prompts.
❓ If you have questions or comments for Nic & Tarina, please send an email to [email protected].
🎬 Check out Nic's Work Force Pro YouTube channel.
📚 Nic has written 4 books. You can decide which one is best for you here.
In this podcast Nic and Elise discuss the role Human Resources and the part Elise plays in helping to create a culture of safety, mental and emotional health, and Egan's focus on people development. You will hear the passion she has for serving others and how executing key strategies looks a lot like building relationships across the enterprise. This is key.
She shares wisdom from her 8+ years in the construction industry, crediting her inspiration for the industry to her tradesman husband stating, “The humble pride of the trades, the craftsmanship and the ability to create and build, inspires me. The passion I see when he’s pointing out projects he’s been part of… now I get to see that passion everyday across all trades at Egan.”
In addition to teasing Nic about his Chanel bag (he uses it for his audio equipment), Elise shares how her favorite part of working at Egan is the people – how its friendly, caring, and supportive approach starts at the top and makes the work everyone does together both meaningful and enjoyable.
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🧰 Check out Nic’s new solution for foremen: The Foreman's Inner Circle
💬 To subscribe to Nic’s Leadership DRIP, please text the word “DRIP” to 866-998-4545 then follow the prompts.
❓ If you have questions or comments for Nic & Tarina, please send an email to [email protected].
🎬 Check out Nic's Work Force Pro YouTube channel.
📚 Nic has written 4 books. You can decide which one is best for you here.
Nic opens with a story about a recent float trip with his son and other boys. When their small flotilla passes a group of attractive teenage girls with a wet cat, Nic shows his motley crew how to talk to them.
Then he and Tarina discuss chapters 4 and 5 from Know This Do That. Your career and life are about taking initiative and getting people to like you.
Can you make people laugh? Do they see you as someone they know they can trust?
As Tarina says, “You have to be memorable.” Sometimes this means saying something funny to a group of girls. Sometimes it means having a cup of coffee with your super before your shift officially starts.
The boys in Nic’s charge did not take the initiative, but he did. You can take the initiative, too. Do the right things and get to know your boss and let your boss get to know you. And when the time is right, just say, “That’s a weird name for a dog.”
If you enjoy Nic and Tarina’s podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.
---
🧰 Check out Nic’s new solution for foremen: The Foreman's Inner Circle
💬 To subscribe to Nic’s Leadership DRIP, please text the word “DRIP” to 866-998-4545 then follow the prompts.
❓ If you have questions or comments for Nic & Tarina, please send an email to [email protected].
🎬 Check out Nic's Work Force Pro YouTube channel.
📚 Nic has written 4 books. You can decide which one is best for you here.
Men and women working in the construction and trades industry get paid to build things. As Nic and Tarina discuss, it’s important for everyone, and especially those just starting out, to see they are also building relationships.
Chapter 2 of Nic’s book, Know This. Do That, is about being on time. Someone building a career (see Chapter 1) aims to build good relationships. The first step to building good relationships, especially with your boss, requires you to be on time. Why? Because it shows initiative and helps you become known as someone the boss can trust.
Nic and Tarina also talk about Chapter 3: Move Like a Shark. An apprentice who shows up on time and is always moving is someone who is considered valuable to the operation. As Nic shares, you won’t get fired if you at least show up, but that’s not enough to help you advance your career.
Your employer sees when you care about your job and support the team. It’s their job to observe you and your work. The two behaviors discussed in this episode show the right people that you are someone they can trust.
If you enjoy Nic and Tarina’s podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.
---
🧰 Check out Nic’s new solution for foremen: The Foreman's Inner Circle
💬 To subscribe to Nic’s Leadership DRIP, please text the word “DRIP” to 866-998-4545 then follow the prompts.
❓ If you have questions or comments for Nic & Tarina, please send an email to [email protected].
🎬 Check out Nic's Work Force Pro YouTube channel.
📚 Nic has written 4 books. You can decide which one is best for you here.
Nic and Tarina jump into Nic’s book, Know This. Do That. Over three years, Nic collected written answers to three key questions from foremen and supervisors. He asked what they would like apprentices to know to be successful in their work.
In this episode, they discuss the first chapter about building a career. Nic shares how it’s important to know the difference between having a career mindset versus a job mindset. He shares the example how someone with a career mindset is willing to invest in themselves; whereas someone with a job mindset expects to get paid to read a book or spend a day in training.
They talk through various examples, identifying the tradeoffs. It’s about expanding your perspective, appreciating how short-term gains often mean long-term loss.
If you enjoy Nic and Tarina’s podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the LIKE button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.
---
🧰 Check out Nic’s new solution for foremen: The Foreman's Inner Circle
💬 To subscribe to Nic’s Leadership DRIP, please text the word “DRIP” to 866-998-4545 then follow the prompts.
❓ If you have questions or comments for Nic & Tarina, please send an email to [email protected].
🎬 Check out Nic's Work Force Pro YouTube channel.
📚 Nic has written 4 books. You can decide which one is best for you here.
In this episode, Nic and Tarina explore how you to see yourself from moment to moment as a Struggler, Thinker, Doer, or Achiever and then give yourself what you need.
They talk about Nic’s recent week of air travel and how after multiple delays (way more than normal) he identified his own Struggler Mindset. Tarina shares how she managed home and hearth in Nic’s absence—recognizing how both her Achiever Mindset and Struggler Mindset worked for and against her at times. Together they discuss a major family transition. As their daughter prepares her move to college, they appreciate their own difficulties in preparing themselves to be ready for the possibility their daughter may fail at times. As parents, Nic says, our job is not to pave the way and make our kids’ lives easy. Why? Because they need to be able to make a bad decision and learn how to recover from it.
This episode is about meeting yourself and your mindsets in the wild as life happens.
Shoot Nic an email at [email protected] if you want a cheat sheet on the Four Mindsets.
If you enjoy Nic and Tarina’s podcast and enjoy listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.
---
🧰 Check out Nic’s new solution for foremen: The Foreman's Inner Circle
💬 To subscribe to Nic’s Leadership DRIP, please text the word “DRIP” to 866-998-4545 then follow the prompts.
❓ If you have questions or comments for Nic & Tarina, please send an email to [email protected].
🎬 Check out Nic's Work Force Pro YouTube channel.
📚 Nic has written 4 books. You can decide which one is best for you here.
The podcast currently has 33 episodes available.
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