The Construction Leadership Podcast: Executive Strategies to Build Elite Teams & Consistently Deliver On-Time, Under Budget

Bradley Hartmann
  • 4.8 (93)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Are you spending more time solving problems than actually leading in your construction business? The Construction Leadership Podcast helps executives build high-performing teams, finish on time and under budget—without all the firefighting and babysitting—so you can lead with clarity, consistency, and control. Hosted by Bradley Hartmann—author of 15 books for the construction industry who teaches leadership in the University of Oklahoma's Master's program for construction professionals—each episode delivers real-world lessons for real-world builders. You'll learn how to: • Lead change with less resistance using field-tested strategies that increase engagement • Build a culture of accountability—without micromanaging or constant confrontation • Eliminate confusion with mental models and tools that drive confident execution New episodes drop every Tuesday and Thursday. Ready to jump in? Start with episode 470: The Glock 17, a Billionaire, and the Leadership Lesson That Will Transform Your Team's Change Management. It's a listener favorite and will shift how you lead through resistance.

  1. 1D AGO

    511 :: Why This Book Is—Pound for Pound—the Most Useful Leadership Book I've Read In The Last 12 Months

    Many construction leaders know what good leadership looks like—but somewhere between deadlines, travel, and constant problem-solving, those fundamentals slip. This month's book recommendation is a 117-page leadership reminder titled The Way of the Shepherd by Dr. Kevin Leman and Bill Pentak.     This episode speaks directly to leaders who feel stretched thin, disconnected from their teams, or stuck in firefighting mode and want to regain clarity, control, and purpose.   In this episode, you'll discover:   How a simple leadership reminder can dramatically improve trust, communication, and engagement on your team A practical framework for truly understanding your people beyond their job titles Why great leaders repeat values and mission far more than they think they should—and how it drives performance   If you want to lead your construction team with more focus, purpose, and control—without adding complexity—press play and discover why this short book delivers massive leadership impact.   Thank you to Dave Reichert, Ray Hayles, and Josh Hendrickson for the recommendation in the years 2017, 2024, and 2026, respectively.     At Bradley Hartmann & Company, we help construction teams improve sales, leadership,  and communication by reducing miscommunication, strengthening teamwork, and bridging language gaps between English and Spanish speakers. To learn more about our product offerings, visit bradleyhartmannandco.com.   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.   Have topic ideas or guest recommendations? Contact us at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.   New podcasts are dropped every Tuesday and Thursday.   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.

    12 min

  2. 3D AGO

    510 :: The 7 Construction Leadership Lessons From Taylor Swift's Eras Tour

    I know, I know.    You're probably too cool to watch Taylor Swift's docu-series on Netflix about her Eras Tour.   But, if you want to see great leadership in action during a nearly two-year movable construction project, watching Taylor in action might be one of the best decisions you make this year.   If you've ever tried to keep crews engaged, schedules intact, quality high, and burnout low while margins are tight and pressure is relentless, you already understand the challenge Taylor Swift solved.    Her Eras Tour wasn't entertainment—it was a $2 billion, multi-year, zero-cancellation logistics operation. This episode breaks down exactly how her leadership principles translate to construction job sites, teams, and executives.   In this episode, you'll learn:   The seven leadership behaviors that kept a massive operation running smoothly under extreme pressure How clear standards, preparation, and generosity directly impact execution and retention Why the best construction leaders obsess over experience, not just outcomes   Hit play to discover how elite leadership—not talent, not luck—is what allows massive projects to run calmly, profitably, and with teams that actually want to stay.   At Bradley Hartmann & Company, we help construction teams improve sales, leadership,  and communication by reducing miscommunication, strengthening teamwork, and bridging language gaps between English and Spanish speakers. To learn more about our product offerings, visit bradleyhartmannandco.com.   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.   Have topic ideas or guest recommendations? Contact us at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.   New podcasts are dropped every Tuesday and Thursday.     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.

    20 min

  3. FEB 5

    509 :: The Barnes & Noble Paradox: Why Old-School Leadership Is Winning in Construction Despite the Age of AI

    Construction leaders are being told—daily—that AI, automation, dashboards, and optimization are the future. But what if the very things we're rushing to automate are the things that actually make leadership work?   In this episode, Bradley Hartmann explores a surprising case study: the resurgence of Barnes & Noble, a 140-year-old, paper-and-ink business thriving in the age of AI and Amazon.   Using the Barnes & Noble turnaround as a lens, this episode breaks down two leadership capabilities AI will never replicate—and why they matter more than ever in construction:   Being a genuine fan of the work, the customer, and the people doing the work Taste and human judgment—knowing what matters, what doesn't, and when timing matters more than data.     This isn't a story about books.   It's a story about leadership, accountability, and change in old, complex industries—just like construction.   This episode will help you:   Identify where your organization may be over-centralized or over-optimized Reclaim leadership leverage that no software can replace Make better decisions about what to abandon, not just what to add Lead change without losing trust, judgment, or accountability   You'll walk away with a clearer lens on what great construction leadership actually requires in the age of AI.   If Barnes & Noble can come back by falling back in love with books, imagine what could happen in construction if leaders fell back in love with building—and the people who make it happen.   https://www.honest-broker.com/p/what-can-we-learn-from-barnes-and   https://substack.com/@tedgioia   At Bradley Hartmann & Company, we help construction teams improve sales, leadership,  and communication by reducing miscommunication, strengthening teamwork, and bridging language gaps between English and Spanish speakers. To learn more about our product offerings, visit bradleyhartmannandco.com.   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.   Have topic ideas or guest recommendations? Contact us at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.   New podcasts are dropped every Tuesday and Thursday.     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.

    18 min

  4. FEB 3

    508 :: Why Michael Scott (The Office) Is Proof the Mental Model of Unique Ability Beats "Well-Rounded" Leadership

    What if there's one part of your job you're uniquely built for—and it checks all these boxes?   Others consistently see you as exceptional at it You genuinely enjoy it and want more time doing it It gives you energy, even on hard days You never feel "done" improving at it   If you know what this activity is, you've identified your unique ability, as defined by business coach Dan Sullivan. Unfortunately, most people spend their entire careers without ever pinpointing it—robbing both themselves and those around them of their natural strengths.   Many construction owners, project managers, and superintendents feel exhausted, frustrated, and stretched thin—not because they lack discipline or skill, but because they're spending the majority of their time working outside their unique ability.   In this episode, Bradley Hartmann breaks down a powerful leadership mental model using an unexpected case study—Michael Scott from The Office—to show how leaders can create more impact, energy, and results without trying to be good at everything.   By listening to this episode, you'll learn:   How to identify your unique ability—and why it matters more than fixing weaknesses Why burnout is often an energy problem, not a workload problem How great construction leaders design roles and teams around strengths to build loyalty, culture, and performance     Press play to discover how leveraging your unique ability can transform the way you lead, energize your team, and reclaim focus in your construction business.   At Bradley Hartmann & Company, we help construction teams improve sales, leadership,  and communication by reducing miscommunication, strengthening teamwork, and bridging language gaps between English and Spanish speakers. To learn more about our product offerings, visit bradleyhartmannandco.com.   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.   Have topic ideas or guest recommendations? Contact us at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.   New podcasts are dropped every Tuesday and Thursday.     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.

    22 min

  5. JAN 29

    507 :: What a Leadership Book Featuring Jordan, Messi, & Bear Bryant Taught Me About Ambition and Sacrifice

    Are you trading time, health, or relationships in pursuit of your goals—and not even realizing it?   In this episode, Bradley Hartmann shares a powerful non-obvious leadership book, The Cost of These Dreams by Wright Thomson, that reframes ambition, success, and the unseen sacrifices we make to chase big dreams.    Through stories of iconic figures like Michael Jordan, Lionel Messi, Urban Meyer, Pat Riley, and Dan Gable, we explore what it really costs to lead at a high level—and whether we're willing to pay that price.   In this episode you will:   Discover how world-class performers balance — and often fail to balance — success and self. Learn how ambition, if unchecked, can erode the very things you're working to protect. Reflect on your own leadership path and how to pursue excellence without losing yourself in the process.   Listen now to discover what elite competitors reveal about success, sacrifice, and how to lead with greater clarity and intention in the construction industry.   At Bradley Hartmann & Company, we help construction teams improve sales, leadership,  and communication by reducing miscommunication, strengthening teamwork, and bridging language gaps between English and Spanish speakers. To learn more about our product offerings, visit bradleyhartmannandco.com.   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.   Have topic ideas or guest recommendations? Contact us at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.   New podcasts are dropped every Tuesday and Thursday.     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.

    16 min

  6. JAN 27

    506 :: Why "Psychological Safety" Is Overrated—And How Dead Poets Society, Enron & a Pair of Construction Legends Changed My View on Leadership

    Two quick questions:   1.      Do you value independent thinking—from yourself and your team? 2.      How do you create space for it on your team?   Most construction leaders say they value open dialogue, critical thinking, and intelligent, amicable debate . . . yet many unwittingly shut it down.   In this episode, host Bradley Hartmann uncovers the hidden habits that silence your team, the myth of "making people feel safe," and how to rethink your leadership to drive better decisions on the jobsite and in the boardroom.   In this episode you'll:   ·       Learn why independent thinking isn't about being contrarian—and why your team might be holding back. ·       Discover the subtle ways leaders kill creativity (even when trying to be supportive). ·       Examine the new talent on your team and question the risk of potential "organ rejection" ·       Walk away with simple changes to your next meeting that will encourage better input, challenge assumptions, and improve outcomes.   Listen now to discover how to lead with clarity, create space for real thinking, and build a team that speaks up when it matters most.   At Bradley Hartmann & Company, we help construction teams improve sales, leadership,  and communication by reducing miscommunication, strengthening teamwork, and bridging language gaps between English and Spanish speakers. To learn more about our product offerings, visit bradleyhartmannandco.com.   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.   Have topic ideas or guest recommendations? Contact us at  info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.   New podcasts are dropped every Tuesday and Thursday.     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.

    18 min

  7. JAN 22

    505 :: How a Century-Old Essay Changed My View of Growth in Construction (And Why It Still Matters Today)

    What's the right size for your business? If your gut response is, "As big as possible!" you're not alone.    But that mindset can quietly invite unnecessary complexity, friction, and risk into your operation—especially when growth isn't planned or sustainable.    In this episode, we challenge the default assumption that bigger is always better in construction. Using insights from a legendary 100-year-old essay by biologist JBS Haldane, we explore how biological limits in nature mirror organizational limits in business—and why ignoring them could be hurting your team more than helping it. In this episode you will:    Discover the hidden trade-offs of scaling your construction business too soon Learn how biology explains why your systems are breaking as your team grows Get 3 crucial questions to ask before making your next big hire or opening a new branch   If you're leading a growing team and feeling the strain, press play now to rethink your approach and regain control.   P.S. If you're a Charlie Munger fan/disciple like host Bradley Hartmann, this episode is a prime example of Munger's call to think multidisciplinary—using insights from biology to sharpen leadership and decision-making in construction.   At Bradley Hartmann & Company, we help construction teams improve sales, leadership,  and communication by reducing miscommunication, strengthening teamwork, and bridging language gaps between English and Spanish speakers. To learn more about our product offerings, visit bradleyhartmannandco.com. 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. Have topic ideas or guest recommendations? Contact us at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com. New podcasts are dropped every Tuesday and Thursday.   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.

    12 min

  8. JAN 20

    504 :: Beer and Immunity: What Construction Leaders Can Learn From Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan Chase

    When it comes to the behaviors on display during meetings—virtual or in person—do they meet your standards?   In this episode, Bradley Hartmann breaks down exactly why most leadership problems in construction aren't about people or strategy—they're about attention.    Through insights from Jamie Dimon (the JP Morgan CEO), you'll see how distraction, disconnection, and lack of curiosity silently sabotage your culture and performance.   In this episode you will:   Learn 3 leadership habits you can apply this week to improve meetings and build trust—without adding software, policies, or bureaucracy. Understand the true impact of presence and curiosity on team performance and morale. Discover the power of "Beer and Immunity" and how to apply this field-tested approach to get real answers from your frontline crews.     Hit play now to learn how a few small leadership shifts can dramatically reduce rework, turnover, and meeting fatigue—starting today.   At Bradley Hartmann & Company, we help construction teams improve sales, leadership,  and communication by reducing miscommunication, strengthening teamwork, and bridging language gaps between English and Spanish speakers. To learn more about our product offerings, visit bradleyhartmannandco.com. 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. Have topic ideas or guest recommendations? Contact us at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com. New podcasts are dropped every Tuesday and Thursday.     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.

    17 min
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About

Are you spending more time solving problems than actually leading in your construction business? The Construction Leadership Podcast helps executives build high-performing teams, finish on time and under budget—without all the firefighting and babysitting—so you can lead with clarity, consistency, and control. Hosted by Bradley Hartmann—author of 15 books for the construction industry who teaches leadership in the University of Oklahoma's Master's program for construction professionals—each episode delivers real-world lessons for real-world builders. You'll learn how to: • Lead change with less resistance using field-tested strategies that increase engagement • Build a culture of accountability—without micromanaging or constant confrontation • Eliminate confusion with mental models and tools that drive confident execution New episodes drop every Tuesday and Thursday. Ready to jump in? Start with episode 470: The Glock 17, a Billionaire, and the Leadership Lesson That Will Transform Your Team's Change Management. It's a listener favorite and will shift how you lead through resistance.

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