Is your leadership style helping your construction team grow—or pushing top talent away?

If you're leading teams in today's construction industry, you know generational gaps, tech adoption, and market uncertainty are more real than ever. In this episode, you'll hear from UFP Site-Built EVP Mike Ellerbrook, whose leadership journey from the plant floor to the executive level shows how emotional intelligence, adaptability, and humor build strong, high-performance cultures that last.

In this episode you will:

• Discover how to shift leadership styles to reduce resistance to change and drive accountability.
• Learn how to make your culture more fun without losing focus on performance.
• Get real-world tactics to engage younger employees while respecting the wisdom of your veterans.

Press play to learn how strong leaders like Mike Ellerbrook adapt, connect across generations, and lead construction teams with focus, candor, and confidence.

Click here to download the classic HBR article on leadership styles by Daniel Goleman.

The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.

This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.

***

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together.

If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

Are your best people underperforming despite their experience and talent?

This episode challenges ones of the most dangerous assumptions leaders make: that underperformance is a talent issue instead of a system problem.

Using lessons from NFL quarterbacks and a powerful leadership mental model, Bradley Hartmann explores why complexity is often the real enemy on your job sites – and how to fix it.

In this episode you will:

· Discover how elite athletes like Donovan McNabb can still fail under the wrong system – and what it means for your team.

· Learn how to run the "McNabb Test" on your processes to spot complexity bottlenecks.

· Understand how simplifying your communication can unlock execution, speed, and confidence in your crews.

Listen now to learn how reducing complexity in your leadership approach can help your best people perform at the best – consistently.

The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.

This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.

***

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together.

If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

Ever wonder how NFL quarterbacks go from being labeled "busts" to top performers—just by changing teams?

The list here is long: Sam Darnold, Mac Jones, and Baker Mayfield to name three who have played at a high level this year.

In construction, just like in football, leaders often misjudge struggling team members by blaming personal traits instead of assessing the environments they're placed in.

This episode unpacks the critical leadership blindspot known as the fundamental attribution error—and how it's quietly sabotaging your team's performance.

In this episode you will:

• Discover why underperforming employees may actually be victims of poor systems—not poor character.
• Learn 7 leadership tools that help you shift focus from blaming individuals to improving environments.

Press play to uncover the leadership principle that could improve your team's performance starting today.

The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.

This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.

***

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together.

If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

Two quick questions:

ONE

Are the books you're reading actually making you a better leader? Or are they just filling space on your shelf?

TWO

Are you reading the same books as everyone else, putting yourself at risk for thinking like everyone else?

In this episode, host Bradley Hartmann shares the six most essential books he read this year—each selected for their impact on construction leadership, strategy execution, innovation, and driving real accountability. Whether you're managing teams or steering your company toward greater differentiation, these unconventional books are tools, not trophies.

In this episode you will:

• Discover practical strategies for balancing ambition with reality in your project planning
• Learn how to break away from mind-numbing industry conformity and spark original thinking
• Understand the true difference between leadership and management (and why most get it wrong)

Listen now to upgrade your leadership mindset with the six most unconventionally transformative books of the year.

The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.

This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.

***

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together.

If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

Skeptical about what a 95-year-old billionaire can teach you about leadership, storytelling, and executive communication? That's fair, but Warren Buffett's final letter to his Berkshire Hathaway shareholders is worth studying for its clarity, humility, and sense of humor.

In this episode, host Bradley Hartmans breaks down this masterclass in executive communication and leadership that every construction leader can learn from. Buffett's farewell isn't just an unusual corporate SEC filing—it's a roadmap for leading with legacy in mind.

In this episode you will:

• Discover why Buffett's best leadership trait might not be what you think (and how to apply it on your own job sites).
• Learn how focusing on emotional intelligence, gratitude, and long-term thinking can drastically improve how you lead your teams.
• Get practical storytelling and communication takeaways that will help you lead with more confidence and far less firefighting.

Listen now to learn how one of history's greatest business minds wrote his final message—and what it means for your leadership journey.

Click here to download a PDF of Buffett's final letter.

The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.

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 customers and prospects in under 30 minutes once every 30 days.

***

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together.

If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

Do your teams hesitate during change, struggle with accountability, or push back on your decisions—even when you're the boss?

If you're a leader in the construction industry, you know that technical skill isn't enough. You need to influence, persuade, and lead effectively without constant infighting.

In this episode, you'll learn how the six principles of influence, backed by deep psychological research, can help you lead with clarity, authority, and impact—whether you're negotiating a contract or getting your crew to buy into a new workflow.

In this episode you will:

• Discover how reciprocity and commitment drive follow-through from teams and clients.
• Learn real-world strategies from sales and site management that increase your persuasive power.
• Understand how to protect yourself from being manipulated by unethical uses of persuasion.

Listen now to learn the six science-backed strategies that will help you lead more effectively, communicate with clarity, and build lasting influence in construction.

The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.

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 customers and prospects in under 30 minutes once every 30 days.

***

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together.

If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

Does your construction team actually live its values—or does the language on your website on the posters in HQ feel like empty slogans?

If you've ever felt like your team's communication is scattered, or your cultural "initiatives" don't actually shape behavior, this episode breaks down how elite organizations—from Suffolk Construction to the New Zealand All Blacks—use intentional language to create a competitive advantage.

In this episode you will:

• Learn why a consistent internal vocabulary can align behaviors across your entire company
• Discover how phrases like "clean data lake" and "tip of the spear" drive accountability and innovation
• Understand how repetition from leadership creates true behavior change—even when it feels redundant

Listen now to uncover the leadership language tools you can use to build a stronger, more aligned construction team.

The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.

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 customers and prospects in under 30 minutes once every 30 days.

***

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together.

If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

How can construction leaders predict safety risks before incidents happen—using AI?

In an industry that's notoriously slow to adapt, this episode with Suffolk Construction's Evan McKee reveals how leaders can overcome resistance to change and drive real innovation on the jobsite.

From predictive analytics to building a culture of transparency, Evan shares practical strategies for adopting new technologies—without alienating your team.

In this episode, you will:

• Learn how Suffolk uses AI to predict safety incidents with over 85% accuracy
• Discover what truly sets Suffolk's innovation culture apart from "talking the talk"
• Gain insight into how young professionals and veteran builders can mentor each other

Hit play now to learn how forward-thinking leadership and data-driven strategies are transforming construction for the better—before your competitors do.

Learn more about Bradley Hartmann's Sales Fundamentals Workshop

The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.

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 customers and prospects in under 30 minutes once every 30 days.

***

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together.

If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

Are you building a leadership legacy—or risking your credibility one decision at a time?

In episode 488, we examine what construction leaders can learn from the complete credibility collapse of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Through the lens of a century-old story involving telegraphs, horse racing, and mafia control, we explore how short-term incentives can quietly erode long-term trust, even for the most well-intentioned leaders.

In this episode you will:

• Understand the 4 components of credibility every leader must master: honesty, competence, inspiration, and being forward-looking.
• Learn how perverse incentives—even if profitable in the short term—can destroy team trust and long-term cultural integrity.
• Evaluate your own leadership style through a powerful breakdown of real-time failure and timeless leadership wisdom.

Hit play now to discover why credibility is your most valuable leadership asset—and how to protect it before it's gone.

Learn more about Bradley Hartmann's Sales Fundamentals Workshop here.

The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.

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 customers and prospects in under 30 minutes once every 30 days.

***

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together.

If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

Have you ever felt that the daily chaos of running your business has blinded you to the bigger picture? Are you watching other leaders struggle to extract themselves from working IN the business, instead of ON it?

In this deeply personal and practical episode, Bradley Hartmann reveals the hidden leadership cost of being stuck in "whiteout conditions"—when the constant fires, deadlines, and endless demands cloud your vision.

Whether you're an executive dealing with growth, silos, or burnout, this episode sheds light on a simple but powerful truth: the busier you are, the more critical it is to zoom out.

In this episode, you will:

• Learn how stepping back—even briefly—can bring the clarity needed to make better decisions.
• Discover the key difference between working in the business versus on the business, and why that matters more as your company grows.
• Hear the powerful story of how one spontaneous trip changed the trajectory of a young man's future—and what it teaches us about leadership, generosity, and focus.

Hit play now to uncover how pulling yourself out of the daily storm can unlock clarity, creativity, and long-term success for your business.

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 customers and prospects in under 30 minutes once every 30 days.

***

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together.

If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].