In episode 420, host Bradley Hartmann weaves together three captivating stories with valuable leadership lessons. First, he introduces Teddy Riner, the legendary Judoka who openly struggles with self-doubt despite his unparalleled success. Riner's vulnerability inspires reflection on overcoming imposter syndrome.

Free Account / Paywall: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5677073/2024/08/02/teddy riner-olympic-judo-gold-medal-france/? utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=twhq&source=twitterhq

Next, Hartmann explores the (supposed) cautionary tale of Ron Wayne, one of Apple's co-founders who sold his 10 percent stake for $800, now worth $320 billion. This story prompts discussion on defining "enough" and the potential pitfalls of chasing wealth.

Finally, Hartmann delves into the downfall of a successful Sriracha sauce partnership, using it to illustrate the importance of proactive negotiation planning. By considering best and worst-case scenarios, partners can avoid devastating business breakdowns. Through these diverse narratives, Hartmann offers listeners valuable insights on leadership, decision-making, and the human experience of extraordinary achievement. This episode challenges listeners to embrace self-doubt, reframe success, and prioritize relationship-building in business.

Paywall: https://fortune.com/2024/01/30/sriracha-shortage-huy-fong-foods-tabasco underwood-ranches/

 

 

 

 

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In episode 419, Jon Vaughan returns to the show to examine leadership and culture building through the lens of sport—specifically, the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Tomlin. Before the 2022 season began, Tomlin joined the The Pivot Podcast, featuring former NFL stars/hosts, Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder. It was this interview that both Jon Vaughn and Hartmann agreed was a leadership masterclass that explains how Tomlin has never had a losing season in 17years leading the Steelers, not to mention the pair of Super Bowls he’s won as well.

Vaughn highlights Tomlin's focus on helping players achieve their dreams and the importance of setting clear expectations. Jon also discusses the fundamental attribution error and the danger of seeking comfort in leadership. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of effective leadership and creating a culture that allows individuals to be their authentic selves.

The episode concludes by honoring the memory of John Ruhlin, a friend and mentor who taught them the power of gifting and building enduring relationships.

 

Chapters

02:11 :: Pete Rose documentary and Banditry v. Stupidity

08:35 :: Introducing Mike Tomlin

10:06 :: “The Standard is the Standard”

12:30 :: Tomlin's Leadership Style

16:38 :: Leader’s job is helping others achieve their dreams

19:36 :: Pitfalls of seeking comfort in leadership

30:12 :: Building a culture of authenticity

42:54 :: Power of vulnerability and intimacy

43:21 :: Upside of catchphrases

51:05 :: Honoring the Memory of John Ruhlin

 

 

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In episode 410, Zac Elenchin, a former combat medic in the US Army, shares his leadership journey and experiences with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) —as well as post-traumatic growth. Zac discusses how to develop poise under pressure, the power of servant leadership, and a highly tactical word-for-word phrase leaders can use to acknowledge their mistakes within their team. Zac then talks about his transition from the military to civilian life and his collaboration with his father on a book about PTSD. To close, Zac talks about how he joined 84 Lumber and the training and support he received to make the successful transition into a management role.

 

Chapters

01:20 :: Favorite Leadership Movie: Saving Private Ryan

07:07 :: Handling Mistakes and Apologizing as a Leader

10:14 :: Insights from the Military Applied to Civilian Life

15:09 :: Developing Trust and Building Camaraderie

26:32 :: Transitioning from the Military to Civilian Life

29:10 :: Collaborating with Father on a Book about PTSD

36:12 :: Joining 84 Lumber and Management Training Program

42:35 :: Conclusion and Gratitude

 

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In episode 409, Ryce Elliott, President at Benning Construction Co. in Atlanta joins the Construction Leadership Podcast discuss to career development, leadership, and risk management in the construction industry. Elliott shares insights on everything from the pros and cons of growing up in a town named Santa Claus to effective communication and its impact on leadership—on the job site and in the classrooms of the next generation of leaders.

 

 

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In episode 408 of the Construction Leadership Podcast, Dr. Kofi Asare and Bradley Hartman discuss the concept of digital twins and their potential impact on the construction industry. They explore various analogies and metaphors to explain what digital twins are and how they differ from other technologies like BIM. They also discuss the promise of digital twins in terms of predictive capabilities and cost savings, as well as the challenges and costs associated with implementing them. The conversation concludes with a discussion of the different levels of digital twins, from basic models to autonomous systems. Dr. Asare emphasizes the need for a systematic approach to implementing digital twins and cautions against using them without a clear use case. He also shares his experiences working with construction leaders and the challenges of driving digital transformation in the industry.

 

Takeaways

• Digital twins are virtual constructs that describe a physical entity in terms of its context, behavior, or makeup, with bi-directional coordination between the physical and virtual.
• Digital twins have the potential to dramatically simplify and improve the operation and maintenance of the built environment.
• The adoption of digital twins is currently more prevalent in large-scale projects, but as costs decrease and technology advances, it is expected to become more widespread, even in residential construction.
• The promise of digital twins lies in their predictive capabilities and potential cost savings, particularly in terms of maintenance.
• The different levels of digital twins range from basic models to autonomous systems that can learn and act on behalf of their users.
• Implementing digital twins requires a systematic approach, focusing on people, processes, and technology.
• Driving digital transformation in the construction industry requires overcoming resistance to change and demonstrating the value of technology.

Chapters

00:00 Digital Twin Game Show Analogy
02:36 The Marketing Disaster That Is Digital Twins
09:35 The Promise of Digital Twins in Construction
11:58 Challenges and Costs of Implementing Digital Twins
21:26 Exploring the Levels of Digital Twins
36:17 Dr. Kofi’s Sports Journalism Career
44:44 Key Considerations for Implementing Digital Twins

 

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In episode 407, host Bradley Hartmann shares the most effective communication framework he's ever learned: the SBI Framework that originated within The Center for Creative Leadership. It was shared with Bradley by Jamie Dabbs of TDIndustries. SBI stands for Situation, Behavior, and Impact. The framework is so powerful because it removes emotion from the conversation while being easy to remember and easy to implement. Hartmann provides two examples of how this framework can work depending on the power dynamics in play.   Billy Cornelius, Director of Sales TAL Building Centers,  then joins the discussion to share insights into thoughtfully preparing to give candid, direct feedback.    

 

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In episode 406 of the Construction Leadership Podcast, host Bradley Hartmann discusses leadership and persuasion techniques that can be applied in the construction industry. Hartmann shares a story about legendary track coach, Bill Bowerman, and how he persuaded his star athlete, Steve Prefontaine, to wear a new lightweight shoe design cobbled in the coach's garage. Bowerman focused on Prefontaine's desires to break records but also addressed his underlying beliefs about shoe safety. Using simple math, Bowerman quantified the potential weight savings of the new shoes and had Prefontaine physically experience carrying extra weight, changing his perspective in the process.    Hartmann then draws on construction-specific examples featuring GAF and an innovative flexible gas pipe described in the book, The Dollarization Discipline, by Jeffrey Fox and Richard Gregory. Hartmann emphasizes the importance of understanding desires, beliefs, and behaviors when trying to influence change.  

 

 

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Through 404 episodes of the Construction Leadership Podcast, host Bradley Hartmann has ended the show with his mantra-as-battle-cry: "You Are Owed Nothing. Deliver Value First." In episode 405, Hartmann shares its unlikely origin story for the first time as he emphasizes its practical utility through examples from listeners in different industries.   

 

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In episode 404, Mark Weber of Builders FirstSource in Michigan hilariously and insightfully shares his experiences working at Taco Bell and in the electronic appliance retail business, highlighting the importance of upselling and learning to anticipate the the word 'no.' Mark emphasizes the significance of being a good mentee and the role humility has played in the trajectory of his lumber sales career. Mark’s success has been earned through his role as a reliable and proactive problem-solver for builders, always striving to be their go-to person for any issues that arise. His growth mindset is demonstrated through constant learning, from podcasts like SBCA's Lumber Connect and books like 'Extreme Ownership' by Jocko Willink.

 

Takeaways

•Offering customers options and alternatives shares control and increases the likelihood of a good fit between buyer and seller

•Surrendering to coaching and having a growth mindset can lead to success in sales and career development

•Be the go-to person for builders by proactively solving their problems and being reliable

•Continuously learn and expand your knowledge to better serve customers

•Recommended podcasts: SBCA's Lumber Connect and The Build Podcast

•Recommended book: 'Extreme Ownership' by Jocko Willink

•Social media can effectively showcase projects and build deeper relationships with clients

 

Chapters

00:00 From selling at Taco Bell to the electronics store in The 40-Year-Old Virgin

10:09 Becoming a good mentee

14:09 The will to to do what the other guy wouldn’t

24:25 The ROI of testimonials

29:15 The immense power of “Let me be your guy.”

32:24 On product category growth

39:08 Continuous learning

43:50 Utilizing social media in sales

 

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In this replay episode, Bradley is joined by NBA Legend and Hall of Famer Bill Walton at the West Coast Lumber and Building Materials Association (WCLBMA) Annual Convention that was held October 19-21, 2022 in San Diego, CA. Bill discusses leadership lessons he learned from coaches, including John Wooden at UCLA, as well as lessons learned from reading books.  Walton also embraces our mantra at The Construction Leadership Podcast - You are Owed Nothing, Deliver Value First!

 

 

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In episode 402, Randy Herrin and Bradley Hartmann discuss the topic of change management. They explore the importance of understanding human nature and the readiness capability of the organization when implementing change. They also discuss the need to set realistic expectations and invest the necessary time and effort for meaningful and lasting change. 

Randy shares leadership insights from two of her favorite books and discusses the role of 
offsite manufacturing. Herrin and Hartmann close with how to best remove—or intentionally add—friction to enable innovation in the construction industry.

Takeaways 
• Effective change management requires the understanding of three elements:
  1. Understanding human nature
  2. Understanding the capability of each individual department 
 3. Understanding overall organizational readiness to change  
• Realistic expectations and thoughtful storytelling speed meaningful change
• Understanding friction—where to remove it and where to intentionally add it—help speed change initiatives

Chapters 
00:00 Change in our industry is accelerating 
04:30 Understanding human nature, maturity, and organizational readiness for change
06:45 “Kill the Company” exercise 
11:36 Scaling the company through change 
16:26 Assessing maturity and capability for change by department  
21:08 Understanding and navigating around human inertia  
28:00 The source of four frictions 
33:45 Designing around constraints

 

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In episode 401, host Bradley Hartmann shares his most personal story yet about a childhood event that changed his life. The story involves his father—a construction leader for four decades—a local card and comic retailer, and a professional baseball player named Kevin Maas. The event educated Bradley on value, pricing, power dynamics, the role emotions play in business, and certainly negotiation strategies an tactics. 

In the second half of the episode, Bradley sits down with his father to reflect back on 
negotiating Maas and other timeless negotiation principles.

 

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In this conversation, Chelsea Zuccato, a sales manager at Patrick Lumber Company, discusses various topics related to leadership and sales. She shares her favorite leadership movie, offers insights on finding niche markets, and offer actionable advice on increasing delegation as leader. Chelsea also emphasizes the value of taking risks, learning from failures, and how the core values at Patrick are reflected in her everyday behavior. Hartmann and Zuccato wrap up the episode discussing her involvement in the North American Forest Foundation and the impact of her podcast, Lumber Slingers.

 

Chapters

06:06 Finding Your Niche: Building Relationships and Becoming an Expert

09:03 Embracing Risks and Learning from Failures

13:27 Ownership and Accountability: Keys to Success

19:29 The Power of Paying Attention: A Recipe for Sales and Leadership

26:18 Paying Attention and Showing Up

29:07 Managing Time and Delegating Effectively

33:34 The Impact of Podcasting and Consistency

 

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In this conversation, Verne Harnish discusses his insights on scaling up businesses and shares his experiences with the Rockefeller Habits. He also highlights the importance of aligning people, strategy, execution, and cash in order to drive business growth. Harnish provides a list of non-obvious leaders who have influenced him, including Hubert Joly, Dr. Robert Cialdini, Dr. Hermann Simon, and Aubrey Daniels. He also challenges the notion of being a visionary and emphasizes the need for clear promises and alignment within an organization. Additionally, Harnish discusses the importance of understanding constraints and shares stories about Herb Kelleher and Elon Musk as examples of effective leadership.

Takeaways

• Aligning people, strategy, execution, and cash is crucial for driving business growth.
• Clear promises and alignment within an organization are essential for success.
• Understanding constraints and finding innovative solutions can lead to business growth.
• Effective leadership involves being hands-on, understanding the market, and making strategic decisions.
• Being a visionary is not as important as setting clear strategy and executing it effectively

 

Chapters

00:00 The Rockefeller Habits

09:48 A Contrarian View on Goal-Setting

27:43 Challenging the Notion of Being a Visionary

35:02 Jim Sobeck, Herb Kelleher, and Insights on Leadership

42:07 Strategy Is a Promise

 

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In episode 399, Tom Asacker shares insights from his experience as a business owner, 
innovator, and professional magician. He emphasizes the need to understand and fulfill 
people's desires in order to be persuasive and influential. 

Tom talks about the power of having fun and enjoying the process in achieving success. 
He explores the role of doubt and skepticism in innovation and explains how curiosity and embracing the unknown can lead to breakthroughs. Bradley inquires about the process and learnings from Tom’s podcast, "I Hear Dead People,” alongside the future of learning.

 Key Insights / Takeaways 
• Understanding and fulfilling people's desires is key to persuasion and influence
 • Why innovation cannot be forced; it must be allowed to emerge through curiosity, 
experimentation, and learning
 • Why desire is the driving force in the marketplace
 • Improved self-awareness requires individuals to genuinely want to change 
• The podcast 'I Hear Dead People' explores the ideas and philosophies of influential 
figures through fictional interviews, providing an entertaining and educational experience.
 • Tom's upcoming book 'Unwinding Want' aims to help people uncover their true desires 
and eliminate regrets by unraveling the psychological hypnosis that keeps them stuck in 
patterns they don't truly want.

 Chapters 
00:00 The Path to Magicianship
05:59 Understanding Desires for Persuasion and Influence
11:56 Embracing Curiosity and the Unknown for Innovation
31:50 The Podcast 'I Hear Dead People'
38:18 Uncovering True Desires and Eliminating Regrets

 

 

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In episode 398, a 2016 ESPN article written by Ethan Sherwood Strauss has been converted into a vivid and engaging case study illustrating the laws of power, influence, persuasion, and value—including what to do and what not to do.

The case study examines Steph Curry's rise to fame and his disillusionment and feelings of disrespect from the leaders at Nike. His decision to sign with underdog Under Armour (UA) over Nike has redirected billions of dollars over the years—and will continue to do so as Curry will sign a lifetime deal with UA.

This episode reveals how Nike missed the shifting NBA trend away from back-to-the-basket offense and toward historic long range accuracy beyond the three-point line. The story also reveals one path toward developing trust through an unlikely source in character of Kent Bazemore, an undrafted 12th-man from Old Dominion University.

This case study involving Steph Curry, Nike, and Under Armour is a story about life: How to build trust, developing strong relationships, and adaptation to dynamic industry changes.

KeyTakeaways/Insights

•Delivering value first through helpfulness and persistence pays off over time.

•Documenting and challenging assumptions enables you to monitor trends and position yourself to gain advantages from industry shifts.

•Never underestimate the power of social proof ; allow others to promote your products and services

•Innovation can come from unexpected places if you're open-minded

•Market leadership can lead to complacency, causing undercapitalized underdogs to connect with rising stars

•Inattention to strong relationships increases your vulnerability to competitors

Chapters

0:00:00 Underutilized Strategy in Plain Sight: Curry and the 3-point line

0:05:24 Anatomy of a Trainwreck: Nike’s sales pitch to Curry

0:09:27 The Kent Bazemore Principle: Curiosity by proxy

0:13:03 Under Armour’s unconventional strategy

0:21:48 The Underdog Advantage

0:25:51 Nike defends

 

 

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Episode 397 features an all-star lineup of leaders sharing their wisdom and experience from a recent training event held by Bradley Hartmann & Co.

The panel includes:

• Brent Hull of Hull Works
• Matthew Schmidt of PulteGroup
• Andrew Cooper of Toll Brothers
• Bobby Krueger of The Krueger Group
• Adam Lingenfelter of Lingenfelter Custom Homes
• Dave Reichert of Davis-Hawn Lumber and Architectural Millworks    

 

 

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In episode 396 of The Construction Leadership Podcast, Dr. Felix Oberholzer-Gee joins the show to discuss his book, Better Simpler Strategy and the simple, yet powerful concept of The Value Stick,

Felix is the Andreas Andresen Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. An award-winning instructor, his academic work and consulting are focused on competitive strategy and the effects of digital technology on corporate performance. His research has been profiled by the Financial Times, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal, among others.

Oberholzer-Gee teaches competitive strategy in the Harvard Business School MBA program and in executive education courses. Felix is also cohost of the popular TED podcast After Hours. 

 

 

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In episode 395 of The Construction Leadership Podcast, Jessica Herrala of Buildots joins the show to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) is improving the construction process through better communication and progress tracking. 

Jessica is a strategic thinking veteran of some of the most well-known brands in construction: Lend Lease, Skansa, Walsh, and Clayco. Jessica and I talk about the insights she's earned throughout her career within those large firms and why she joined Buildots to help them build better—from the other side of the desk. 

Buildots takes the construction design and schedule and then incorporates real-time videos through the use of a GoPro 360 mounted on hardhats. Add on a layer of AI to sync it all up and Buildots promises to construct "one central platform connecting all aspects, connecting you straight to reality . . . it's a comprehensive and automatically consolidated dashboard with all sites’ data means you see exactly what’s happening and what’s not."

 

 

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Episode 394 features an all-star trio competing in our fifth Construction Leadership Game Show:

• Colby Chandler, Sales Manager at Cassity Jones Building Products
• Meloni Raney, CEO of TEXO Association 
• Kevin Carey, CEO of Mountain Mover Facades and host of the 17Twenty Podcast.

Among other relevant insights that can help you become a better manager and leader, these leaders share their favorite leadership movie and identify which job site tool best describes their leadership style and explain why.

 

 

 

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In episode 393, Human Resources expert Joel Stevens joins returning guest / movie guru Matt Potter (ep. 302: Elf, 233: Glengarry Glen Ross, 173: Tommy Boy) to break down the key leadership scenes in the 2009 film, Up In The Air, which earned six Acadamy Award nominations. 

Here's IMDB's storyline: Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) enjoys living out of a suitcase for his job, travelling around the country firing people, but finds that lifestyle threatened by the presence of a potential love interest (Vera Farmiga), and a new hire (Anna Kendrick) presenting a new business model.

As tech companies continue to lay off workers due to the pandemic era hiring frenzy and Artificial Intelligence, construction firms grapple with rightsizing headcount amidst high interest rates and years of "we need everyone we can get!" Into this business climate, Joel Stevens (a proper HR exec with Operations experience), Matt Potter (a walking HR violation waiting to happen), and Bradley Hartmann (host, small business owner struggling with the needs of a growing team) discuss the relevant scenes in the film that can help you become a better manager and leader.   

You can view clips from this episode on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyhartmannandco

 

 

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In episode 392, Bill Ness, founder of 55places.com, joins The Construction Leadership Podcast to share his journey from new home sales consultant at Del Webb to launching the premier destination for active adults searching for a new home. 

Bill Ness discusses:

• His initial steps from original insight to early implementation
• The sales pitch that changed his life 
• Challenges and opportunities to delivering value online
• And much more  

55places.com is exclusively dedicated to serving the 55+ community. The company tracks the 55+ housing market and matches vistor's lifestyle to their next home. 55places.com has nurtured an extensive network of specialized agents for 55+ buyers, sellers, and renters.

https://www.55places.com

 

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In episode 391, Wes Palmisano joins The Construction Leadership Podcast from New Orleans to talk about how renegade thinking drives revolutionary results.   

For over a decade, Wes has pursued a new vision of the construction industry through his collective of brands and initiatives. Wes launched Palmisano Construction in 2013 with 11 team members and the company’s signature renegade style and cultivation of a culture where everyone could make and break the mold.

With the company’s success and growth in subsequent years, Wes pushed the envelope further. Over the following decade, WJP’s strategy continued to evolve through new ventures in construction, investment, innovation, leadership cultivation, and real estate development—pursuing a vertical integration of service offerings that influence the construction lifecycle and continue applying its renegade approach.

Growing his small team to over 260 people, Palmisano Construction looked to align its name with its visionary ethos—rebranding as RNGD and expanding its presence to new markets: Nashville, TN and Huntsville, AL.

As a New Orleans native, Wesley grew up in a construction family. Inspired by their commitment to service—beginning with his grandfather, WWII veteran and founder of W.J. Palmisano Contractors, Warren Palmisano Sr.—Wesley looked to follow in their footsteps with his own vision. He earned a four-year Construction Management degree in three years at Louisiana State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Before launching WJP, he directly applied his background, education, expertise, and unique insight to over a decade of work, building and managing large-scale construction projects.

https://rngd.com

 

You can view clips from this episode on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyhartmannandco

 

 

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In episode 417, host Bradley Hartmann discusses the fallacy of "cascading communication" as a leadership metaphor. He argues that while information may cascade down through an organization, behavioral change does not. Using Newton's laws of motion as a framework, Hartmann explains how leaders need to approach communication differently to drive real change. He suggests moving away from a one-time "cascade" of information and instead implementing a persistent "drip campaign" of communication using various platforms and tactics. This includes things like weekly newsletters, personalized video messages, live Q&As, and gamification elements. The goal is to anticipate and overcome the natural human tendency to resist change. Hartmann provides a downloadable checklist of these proven communication strategies for listeners to use in their own organizations. The key is crafting a multi-faceted, multimedia approach rather than relying on a single cascade of information from the top down. This, Hartmann argues, is a more effective way for leaders to drive the behavioral changes they seek.

You can download the PDF template discussed in this podcast at bh&co.com/blog

 

 

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Brad Jacobs is venturing into building materials distribution with a new firm branded QXO. His initial forecast is $1B in revenue in Year 1 and at least $5B within three years. How, you may ask, does he plan to do that? Well, he wrote on book on it, humbly titled, How to Make a Few Billion Dollars, which I would absolutely recommend to a friend.  

Upon hearing the news, Jon Vaughan and Bradley Hartmann dropped what they were doing and bought the book, listened to eight hours of past Brad Jacobs podcasts, and spoke to leaders in the freight industry who knew Brad back in 2011 when he ventured into that industry. 

Then Jon and Bradley got together to talk about what they learned, what they think will happen, and what you need to know.   

Below is an edited transcript of QXOs announcement: 

After a comprehensive year-long search, Brad Jacobs announced his intention to create a market leader in building products distribution — an industry with approximately $800 billion in annual revenue between North America and Europe. The company will be called QXO, Inc.

On December 3, 2023, Jacobs Private Equity entered into an investment agreement with SilverSun Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSNT) in which they will invest $1 billion in cash. Upon the closing of the equity investment, SilverSun will be renamed QXO. JPE will become QXO’s majority stockholder, and Jacobs will become the company’s chairman and chief executive officer. QXO will become a standalone platform for Jacobs’ new venture following the spin off of the existing business to SilverSun stockholders.

 

QXO's Strategy
QXO plans to create a tech-forward industry leader in the building products distribution industry through accretive M&A and organic growth, including greenfield openings, with the goal of generating outsized stockholder value.  

Distributors of building products offer materials, finished goods, value-added solutions and expertise to a broad range of customers across residential, nonresidential, industrial and infrastructure end-markets. Their products are used extensively in new construction and in repair and remodeling. Key categories include access control, construction supplies, doors and windows, electrical components, fencing and decking, HVAC, infrastructure, landscaping, lumber, plumbing, pools, roofing, siding and water, among others.

QXO expects to achieve a revenue run-rate of at least $1 billion by the end of year one, at least $5 billion within three years, and tens of billions of dollars over the next decade. QXO’s scale should elevate the customer experience, increase sales force effectiveness, and enable margin expansion.

The industry’s nascent use of technology, particularly AI and B2B e-commerce, represents a compelling opportunity for tech-focused entrants. According to industry data, the percentage of industry revenue derived from e-commerce is currently only mid-single digits, and this share is expected to triple by 2030. Additional types of tech adoption by distributors have the potential to be transformative through price optimization, demand forecasting, warehouse automation and robotics, automated inventory management, route optimization for delivery fleets, supply chain visibility, and end-to-end digital customer connectivity. QXO’s strategy anticipates that these drivers, among others, will be central to the company’s goal of outsized stockholder value creation.

 

The Market Opportunity
The building products distribution industry is highly fragmented, with approximately 7,000 distributors in North America and 13,000 in Europe, according to industry observers. The industry has generated compound annual revenue growth of 7% over the last five years, based on industry data, and continues to benefit from powerful secular growth drivers for building products distribution in the residential, nonresidential and infrastructure sectors.

For example, industry reports estimate that the current supply of US homes is 3 million units short of demand, potentially creating long-term tailwinds for both new construction and the repair and remodeling of aging homes. In the nonresidential sector, long-term demand is expected to be driven by growth across multiple industrial and commercial verticals, according to industry sources. Infrastructure should benefit from the widely reported need for repair or replacement of America's public transportation, utility and communication systems, among others.

These market dynamics, together with the fragmented nature of the industry, offer a significant opportunity to unlock growth potential through scale and technology. National distributors can serve large customers across multiple geographies and project types with standardized efficiencies, providing consistent, data-driven customer services across a broad operating scope. Additionally, a scaled technology ecosystem can expand the array of value-added services offered to customers, such as jobsite visibility into product consumption, digital configuration tools for custom ordering and tracking, and virtual design capabilities that interface with product order flow.

 

Track Record
Brad Jacobs has completed approximately 500 M&A transactions in his career, and built five multibillion-dollar, publicly traded companies to date: XPO, Inc. (NYSE: XPO), one of the largest providers of less-than-truckload services in North America; GXO Logistics, Inc. (NYSE: GXO), the largest pure-play contract logistics provider in the world; RXO, Inc. (NYSE: RXO), a leading tech-enabled freight brokerage platform; United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE: URI), the world’s largest equipment rental company; and United Waste Systems, Inc., the fifth largest U.S. waste management company at the time of its sale.
‍
Each of these companies has a history of attracting world-class talent, establishing advantages through technology, and scaling up through accretive capital allocations for M&A and organic growth. This decades-long track record should position QXO to acquire exceptional businesses, integrate them effectively, improve margins and generate high returns on capital.

---------

You can view clips from this episode with Jon Vauaghn on our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyhartmannandco

 

 

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In episode 389, Steve Swinney, CEO of Kodiak Building Partners, joins the show. Steve and Bradley discuss how Kodiak integrates new companies following an acquisition, how to develop trust with authenticity, intention, and speed—and how Steve would improve the long-standing culture of mediocrity within the greatest NFL franchise of all-time, the Chicago Bears.   

As CEO of Kodiak Building Partners, Steve is responsible for the overall vision, strategy, and execution of Kodiak’s business plan. Steve brings over 25 years of acquisitions and private equity-backed venture expertise to the founding and operations of Kodiak.

 

Before the founding of Kodiak, Steve was a VP with ProBuild Holdings, where he created the organization to support the company’s mergers and acquisitions, financial analysis, investor relations, budgeting, and long-range planning functions. Before entering the building materials industry with ProBuild, Steve worked at First Data/Western Union as the Director of Finance.

Steve is a CPA and earned his undergraduate degree in Accounting at Abilene Christian University and his MBA in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin.

 

You can view clips from this episode on our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyhartmannandco

 

 

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In episode 388, Amber Percival joins the Construction Leadership Podcast to discuss the recent sale of her second generation hearth distribution business, Urban Hearth, based on Perth, Ontario. Amber candidly shares insights on her negotiation tactics, concessions, mindset during the 1.5-year process, the challenges of secrecy among the people in the business she cared about most, and how her core values were tested until the deal closed.     

Amber and I close this episode with strong reminder to ensure those leaders in your network feel seen and heard—that they understand they are not alone—before Amber critiques Hartmann's recent indoor plant-buying choices. 

 

USA Suicide Crisis Lines

• The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org/) is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.[56][57] It provides Spanish-speaking counselors, as well as options for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. 

 

Canada Suicide Crisis Lines  

• 911 is the national emergency number in Canada.
• 988 is the suicide crisis helpline. It can be reached 24/7 by call or text in both English or French.
• Kids Help Phone (https://kidshelpphone.ca/) is a free 24/7 national support service that provides confidential professional counselling, information, referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people in both English and French.
• Talk Suicide Canada can be reached 24/7 at 1–833–456–4566 or 45645 (Text, 4 p.m. to midnight ET only) (https://talksuicide.ca/) nationwide suicide prevention service.

 

 

You can view clips from this episode on our YouTube channel

- https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyhartmannandco

 

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In episode 387, journalist Hamilton Nolan joins the show to talk about his new book, The Hammer: Power, Inequality, and The Struggle for the Soul of Labor.

 

Hamilton Nolan is a labor journalist who writes regularly for In These Times magazine and The Guardian. He has written about labor, politics, and class war for The New York Times, the Washington Post, Gawker, Splinter, and other publications. He was the longest-serving writer in Gawker’s history, and was a leader in unionizing Gawker Media in 2015. Hamilton is a proud member of the Writers Guild of America, East. He lives in Brooklyn.

 

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In episode 386, Farrell Middleton joins the show to talk about his home building career and the insights he's learned along the way regarding management, leadership, and how to navigate the Bell Curve of Life.   

After a successful 36-year career in production homebuilding, Farrell moved into his long-awaited second career as a teacher, mentor, life coach, and guide. The Bell Curve of Life is his unique teaching, coaching, and mentoring program that focuses on circumstances that people find themselves in on a routine basis, both personally and professionally.

His goal is to work with business owners and leaders and their staff members to create healthier and more productive professional environments. This is achieved by focusing on positive attitudes, effective use of time, improved problem solving ability, and enhanced team dynamics. The results will be greater productivity, stronger employee engagement and retention, and better customer service - internal and external.

Thank you for listening!

You can view clips from this episode on our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyhartmannandco

 

 

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In episode 385, David Ling, President of Beisser Lumber in Iowa joins the show to talk innovation, continuous improvement, and the value of an outside perspective. And! As we anticipate Super Bowl LVIII between the 49ers and the Chiefs (please win, Niners, please . . .), David shares a unique and engaging way Beisser Lumber brought the construction industry and the local high school football scene closer together.      

Thank you for listening!

You can view clips from this episode on our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyhartmannandco

 

 

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In episode 384, Mario Hernandez, Director of Business Planning Analytics at PrimeSource Building Products—hosting us all in their PrimeSource Studios in Dallas!—is joined by Jamie Dabbs, Vice President of Safety, Health & Environmental at TDIndustries, Inc., and Stewart Shurtleff, Chief Legal Officer of Osburn Contractors and host of the 17Twenty Podcast.

These men will battle it to provide the most insightful and entertaining leadership responses to the only game show focusing on construction leadership on the planet.   

Thank you for listening!

You can view clips from this episode on our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyhartmannandco

 

 

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In episode 383, we dig deep into the archives to retrieve what was thought to be lost: An epic 2018 interview with a pair of construction industry superstars, Fred Perpall and Meloni Raney. 

As CEO of The Beck Group, Perpall leads the firm’s global architecture, planning, real estate consultancy, and construction businesses. He began his career in design and construction in 1996. Two decades later, the American Institute of Architects elected him into its prestigious College of Fellows.

In 2023, Fred Perpall became the 67th president of the United States Golf Association (USGA). He is the first African American and Texan to serve in this role and is proud to expand and nurture diversity and inclusion in the game.

“We talk too much about what separates us and not enough about what unites us. In golf, we’re a community,” said Perpall. “When we lean in together, when we include more people in the game, not only will the game get better, but our lives will get better, too.”

A native of Nassau, Bahamas, Perpall played on the 1994 Bahamian National Basketball Team. He moved to the U.S. to attend the University of Texas at Arlington, earning a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Architecture. He is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program and is a former Americas Fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute.

Meloni Raney (AIA) is President and CEO of TEXO, The Construction Association. TEXO is the largest commercial contractors association in Texas and the largest affiliated with both the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). 

TEXO provides innovative programs, quality services and strategic alliances for contractor and industry members doing more than $9 billion of work annually in North and East Texas. one of the largest construction associations in the country. 

Meloni is a University of Oklahoma graduate who earned a degree in Architecture along with a minor in Construction Management. Meloni attained her architecture license while working at The Beck Group.

 

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In episode 382, Bradley is joined by Ray Hayles, Co-Owner of Walker Lumber & Supply in Nashville. Ray shares his remarkable journey from the gridion of SMU, to buying out his father's  company, growing it, and then selling it . . . only to find the financial independence he was searching for all along didn't bring him fulfillment. The search for camaraderie and the opportunity to serve led him to a surprising place—as it was for Ray's brother-in-law, a tenured Goldman Sachs leader, who joined Ray: Walker Lumber & Supply.      

Buckle up, you are in for a treat. Thank you for listening!

You can view clips from this episode on our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@bradleyhartmannandco

 

 

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In episode 416, Ben Breen of the Project Management Institute (PMI) joins the show from Australia. Ben is the Global Director of Construction at PMI and he discusses his background in international construction and the leadership principles that have guided his career from construction student, builder, consultant, and leader within PMI.

Ben describes how to best learn from mentors around you and why the industry should ditch the phrase “soft skills” for “power skills” to describe the suite of leadership behaviors that include intentional listening, empathy, and servant leadership. Ben closes by detailing the value of the PMI Construction Professional certification (PMI-CP)™.

Project Management Institute (PMI) is the world's leading association for those who consider project, program or portfolio management their profession. Through global advocacy, collaboration, education and research, PMI works to prepare more than three million professionals around the world for the Project Economy: the coming economy in which work, and individuals, are organized around projects

Chapters

01:02 Passion for Construction and Architecture

03:34 Key Leadership Principles

06:27 Making Tough Decisions as a Leader

09:13 Developing Soft Skills in Project Managers

11:27 The Importance of Power Skills

12:45 What Not to Do in Developing Project Managers

14:11 The Role of Zooming In and Out as a Leader

20:22 PMI's Role in the Construction Industry

 

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In episode 415, Krysta Van Ranst of Building PPL joins The Construction Leadership

Podcast to discuss how to leverage learning and development to build stronger people

that will drive your future growth. Krysta offers insights on when NOT to invest in

leadership training and shares her firm’s proprietary Building PEOPLE model, which

includes providing professional development, employee growth planning, onboarding,

leveraging processes and procedures, and the best methods to engage future hires.

They also discuss the relationship between people and profits and the importance of

balancing both, based on a LinkedIn article by Jon Vaughan, a frequent guest on the

show. Krysta closes the episode with a pair of books recommendations: "The Pursuit of

Excellence” by Ryan Hawk and “Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara. Thanks you

for listening.

 

***

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In episode 414, HR Huntsman—CEO of Leader's Edge Consulting and Coaching—joins The Construction Leadership Podcast to help leaders and teams become the best version of themselves. HR shares insights on leadership, talent acquisition, and personal growth. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling and the power of human connection in leadership. HR also discusses the need for leaders to transition from a production mindset to a multiplication mindset, empowering their team members and intentionally developing their potential. (And no, HR would not tell Bradley what his initials stand for. Hartmann asked twice.)

 

***

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In episode 413, host Bradley Hartmann shares the best content he’s come across the last 90 days in three different mediums: an article, a podcast episode, and a book. Each is very much worth your time and attention and will help to turbocharge your next 90 days on the job.

 

1. Article: Jerry Seinfeld: The Scholar of Comedy 
Jerry Seinfeld’s thoughts on craft and the pursuit of mastery are instructive. Near the end there is a insightful surprise on negotiation.

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/the-scholar-of-comedy

Key Quote:
Jerry Seinfeld: The only thing in life that's really worth having is good skill. Good skill is the greatest possession. The things that money buys are fine. They're good. I like them. But having a skill is the most important thing . . . Pursue mastery that will fulfill your life. You will feel good. I know a lot of rich people and they don't feel good as you think they would. They don't. They're miserable. So I work because if you don't in standup comedy—if you don't do it a lot—you stink.

 

2. Podcast: Invest Like The Best: Frank Blake of Home Depot

Frank Blake is an attorney educated at the knee of Jack Welch at General Electric. Blake become chairman and CEO of Home Depot. Early in this episode, Blake shares the following insight about the fallacy of “cascading” communication in an organization. I have not been able to stop thinking about it since.

https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/frank-blake-leading-by-example/id1154105909?i=1000658584388

Key Quote:
Frank Blake: I'm always amused when I hear leaders talk about messages cascading down through an organization as if gravity were your friend. And gravity is not your friend. Your team, for the most part through the organization, they're not waiting with bated breath to hear from you. They actually, for the most part, really don't care what you have to say . . . I walk to a store and I go up to a store manager and I say, “How'severything going?” There is only one right answer to that in any organization. The answer is: “Everything is going great. You are wonderful. Please leave.”

And you need to understand—leaders need to understand this fundamental fact that they have to work hard to get their message and get their direction through an organization.

 

3. Book: The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity
This book by Carlo Cipolla gives the topic of stupidity some of the intellectual attention it deserves, given all the havoc it wreaks on humanity.

https://a.co/d/e95K83Z

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGr8bMTSD4s

Key Quote:
The probability that a certain person will be stupid is independent of any other characteristic possessed by that person.

 

***

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Episode 412 features Bill Heuer, co-founder of The Countertop Factory Midwest whose

2011 insights on leadership were shared in episode 411. Bill reveals lessons learned

from his time at Procter & Gamble how he and his co-founder, Geoff Gran, collaborate

to drive growth and profits for their countertop manufacturing companies, based in

Illinois and Arizona.

 

 

This present-day conversation— 13 years in the making!—includes further insights on

the following topics:

 

- The value of synchronous flow meetings to manage constraints and seek continuous

improvement

- The opportunities that led a countertop manufacturer to develop software solutions

- The process to innovative with "hot sauce" upsell products

- How to generate consistent profits and strong relationships with big box stores,

national builders, and large commercial firms

 

 

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In February of 2011, Bradley Hartmann requested an interview with Bill Heuer and

Geoffrey Gran, co-founders of The Countertop Factory Midwest. The interview was

homework—a required 5-page paper on leadership and “new venture creation”—in

Hartmann’s MBA program.

The interview was granted and after 8 hours in an Elmhurst, Illinois bar, Hartmann had

ample notes. In subsequent days, Hartmann presumably shook off his hangover, wrote

the paper, and submitted it to his professor.

What he didn’t do was share the paper with the generous men whose insights

comprised the backbone of the paper—Bill Heuer and Geoffrey Gran.

Until now.

This is Hartmann’s lost paper that shares the timeless insights from a subcontractor

whose mission is to save the world, one countertop at a time.

 

 

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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 info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

In episode 422, host Bradley Hartmann takes you on a journey from the Pacific Northwest to Kobe, Japan as he shares the incredible true story (with some fictional dialogue added for your listening pleasure!) of one of the most iconic companies of all time. The story reveals the two methods in which humans develop trust: task-based and relationship-based. While we talk about the construction industry being a “relationship business,” the truth is relationships actually come second in our Uncle Sam-style American culture.

To bridge the story with real-world application, Blake Hancock, CEO of Binswanger Glass, joins the show in the second half of the episode. Blake discusses his experiences working with teams from different cultural backgrounds and the importance of building trust and creating a comfortable work environment. He shares stories of his time living in China and the lessons he learned about effective communication and expectation-setting. Hancock emphasizes the value of open communication, continuous improvement, and the importance of getting all ideas on the table.

 

 

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 info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

 

 

Paul Robinson, founder of ConstructReach, discusses his passion for helping young people find opportunities in the construction industry. He emphasizes the need for equitable and inclusive practices in attracting and retaining diverse talent. Paul also shares his experience of working with his wife in the business and the importance of communication and intentionality. He highlights the value of his iReach podcast in creating a platform for industry professionals to share their stories and insights.

 

Chapters

02:59 :: The Power of Storytelling and Human Connection in Leadership

09:01 :: Transitioning from a Production Mindset to a Multiplication Mindset

14:15 :: Creating a Talent Profile and Hiring for Culture

29:42 :: Prioritizing Talent Acquisition and Retention

 

 

 

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 info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

 

 

In episode 423, host Bradley Hartmann sits down with Bret Martz (VP - North American Professional Sales) of Trex and Chris Gerhard (Executive VP) of Specialty Building Products .

Bret and Chris share insights on the collaboration efforts between a manufacturer and a distributor that enable increased value to the dealer and their contractor customers. Their discussion touches on innovation, training and education, digital selling tools, and methods for assisting their independent dealer partners.

The conversation also delves into leadership lessons, with Martz and Gerhard sharing insights on empowering employees, learning from mistakes, and building a cohesive culture across the supply chain. They highlight the importance of clear communication, transparency, and a shared vision for serving contractors and homeowners.

 

 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 info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

 

In this sidecar bonus episode to 427, host Bradley Hartmann and Tony Meza break down the lyrics from the summer jam, TK by Pedro Capó, as they identify which language skills can be used on the job to communicate better and lead more effectively. Listen to episode 427 to hear Tony Meza’s insights on bridging cultural and linguistic gaps on the job site. Tony Meza is the safety professional responsible for risk management at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Meza also lends his voice to Hartmann & Company’s new Construction Spanish App as the native Spanish speaker in the voice tracks within the app.

 

 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 info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

 

In episode 427, Tony Meza joins the podcast to share insights on cultural intelligence and leadership across linguistic and cultural gaps on the job site. Tony Meza is the construction safety professional responsible for risk management at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Meza also lends his voice to Hartmann & Company’s new Construction Spanish App as the native Spanish speaker in the voice tracks within the app.

 

 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 info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

 

In this conversation, Steven Paynter from Gensler discusses the innovation that landed Gensler on Fast Company’s list of most innovative companies in 2024. The innovation was an algorithm that assess the viability of converting office spaces into residential units, particularly in light of the pandemic and the growing affordability crisis.

Fast Company wrote: “Gensler’s algorithm evaluates roughly 150 aspects of a building’s layout and design, such as core-to-window depth and the number of elevators and parking spots, from public data, broker websites, and subscription services. The tool can determine a conversion viability score in hours.”

Paynter shares insights on the challenges and successes of office building conversions, the importance of understanding the history of buildings, and the role of city incentives in facilitating adaptive reuse. The discussion also touches on the findings from Gensler's workplace survey, emphasizing the need for flexible and desirable office spaces that foster collaboration and productivity. Paynter concludes with reflections on cultural differences in leadership and construction practices between the UK and North America.

 

 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 info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

 

In this conversation, Matt DiBara shares the leadership insights accumulated on his journey from nine-year-old laborer to fourth generation business owner. Matt shares what being fired multiple times in his family business taught him and the valuable lessons learned from his father—what to do and what not to do. Matt discusses the importance of customer acquisition costs and effective strategies for diversifying any construction business. Matt emphasizes the significance of effective communication, celebrating team successes, and developing future leaders. He also reflects on the challenges and opportunities presented by technology in the construction sector.

Chapters

02:52 :: Leadership Lessons from Family Business

06:10 :: Transitioning to Independence

09:03 :: Understanding Customer Acquisition Costs

12:10 :: Diversification Strategies in Business

15:13 :: Introducing Technology in Construction

18:02 :: Effective Communication and Change Management

20:49 :: Celebrating Team Successes

23:53 :: Developing Future Leaders

26:53 :: Final Thoughts and Recommendations

 

 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 info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

 

In episode 424, we hosted a Construction Leadership Game Show live in front of a raucous 250+ attendees at the annual TEXO Safety Day in Fort Worth on August 29th. The participants were three safety leaders: Gradlin Franks, Director of Safety at The Beck Group, Scott Sears, Vice President of Safety and Loss Control at Walker Engineering, and Raul Ruiz, Regional EHS Manager at Moss and Associates.

The theme was Olympic-level Leadership and the insights and entertainment lived up to the hype. Listen on any podcast platform and view the highlight reel on YouTube. Thank you to Milwaukee Tools for sponsoring the event.

 

 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 info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

 

In episode 430, Bradley Hartmann shares leadership insights from one of his favorite movies, Moneyball, starring Brad Pitt as the Oakland A’s general manager, Billy Beane. Joining Hartmann are Matt Potter (construction sales veteran) and Joel Stevens (HR expert), returning to the show after their excellent performances in episode 393 where we focused on the leadership aspects from the movie, Up in the Air (starring George Clooney and Anna Kendrick).

Hartmann, Potter, and Stevens explore Billy Beane's approach to challenging the status quo, getting his team to think differently about how to evaluate and build a winning roster. They discuss Beane's confrontational style with his scouts, his willingness to take risks by converting a career catcher named Scott Hatteberg to first base, and his ability to get buy-in from veteran players like David Justice.

Off the field, the trio examines the interpersonal dynamics and cultural shifts Beane had to navigate within the organization. They highlight his successes and missteps in communicating his vision and bringing the entire team along.

The conversation also touches on broader themes of competitive differentiation, developing confidence in employees, and the importance of diverse perspectives—lessons that translate well beyond the baseball diamond. Whether you're a Moneyball superfan or discovering it for the first time, this episode offers valuable insights for leaders in any industry.

 

 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 info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

 

In episode 429 of The Construction Leadership Podcast, host Bradley Hartmann sits down with Mireya Zapata, the Executive Director of the Lumbermen's Association of Texas (LAT). Zapata brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously worked in politics, public relations, and for the Texas House of Representatives.

Throughout the conversation, Hartmann and Zapata dive into Zapata's background and her unique perspective on engaging the political process as the head of a state trade association. Zapata explains how she has been able to maintain a sense of enthusiasm and optimism despite the often divisive nature of politics today. She encourages LAT members to get involved, emphasizing that their industry expertise and firsthand experiences are invaluable when working to influence policy decisions.

The discussion then shifts to some of the key issues currently facing Zapata and her members, including housing affordability and organized retail theft. Zapata highlights LAT's efforts to support the Texas Association of Builders on the affordability challenge, as well as the association's work to increase criminal penalties for those engaged in sophisticated theft operations targeting building material suppliers.

Finally, Zapata offers a glimpse into her personal life, sharing how she manages the demands of leading a statewide trade group while also raising two children. She credits her family and involvement with nonprofit organizations as crucial outlets that help her maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Throughout the conversation, Zapata's passion for her work and her industry shines through, making this an engaging listen for anyone interested in the intersection of construction, politics, and association leadership.

 

 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 info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

 

In this special bonus episode 436, Project Manager Taylor Parker of Lingenfelter Luxury Homes discusses Adam Lingenfelter’s leadership style along with providing insight on how he manages relationships with subcontractors and what the best suppliers do to make a positive impact.

 

 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 info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.