Blue Collar Leadership

Mack Story
  • 5.0 (42)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Leadership development for everyone in the blue collar workforce, those who support them, and those who lead them. Leadership is influence. Influence is built daily, not in a day. There are two types of influence: 1) Artificial influence which comes with a title, position, or rank and is reserved for those who have formal authority over others; and 2) Authentic influence which is based on a person's character and the relationships they build, and it's available to anyone with or without a position of authority because it's based on moral authority (who you are and how you do what you do).

  1. 6d ago

    507: 5 MORE Mistakes New (and Not-So-New) Blue-Collar Leaders Make

    Most blue-collar leaders know they need to fix the obvious people mistakes. However, few realize they’re still struggling because they’ve been ignoring other common mistakes rooted in character and culture.   In Part 2 of 2 of this short podcast series, Mack Story breaks down 5 MORE common (and costly) mistakes new, and not-so-new, blue-collar leaders make, starting with the trap of focusing only on results while ignoring the character and culture of their team.   Mack doesn’t just point out the mistakes. He also gives you clear, practical “Fix It” tips to consider that you can actually use to lead with confidence, competence, and credibility.   If you’re ready to move past surface-level leadership that's based on your position and authority and start earning real respect and building trust with your team, this episode is for you.   This may be the commonsense Leadership 101 guide you’ve been looking for to help elevate your leadership ability. #leadershipdevelopment #leadership #leadershiptips #leadershiptraining #bluecollarleadership #supervisortraining

  2. Sep 1

    506: 5 Mistakes New (and Not-So-New) Blue-Collar Leaders Make

    Most blue-collar leaders are promoted because they’re great at doing the work…not because they've proven they know how to lead people. The problem? They’re rarely given any real leadership development training, so they end up making costly mistakes that quietly damage their credibility, their teams, and their career. In this episode, Mack Story breaks down 5 common mistakes new (and not-so-new) blue-collar leaders make…from trying to stay “one of the guys” instead of stepping into real leadership, to avoiding the tough conversations that actually move the needle. And, he gives you practical, no-BS “Fix It” tips for each one. If you’ve ever felt like you’re winging it as a leader, this is the commonsense Leadership 101 guide you’ve been missing. #leadershipdevelopment #leadership #leadershiptips #leadershiptraining #bluecollarleadership #supervisortraining

  3. Aug 1

    505: Leading through the Blue-Collar Labor Shortage in 2026: Practical Strategies that Work

    Here’s the TRUTH most are missing: While your INDUSTRY has a labor shortage, your ORGANIZATION is actually operating in an environment filled with an abundance of available talent.   Everyone working for your competitors, every experienced tradesperson in your area, and every new graduate from high schools, trade schools and those exiting the military is potentially available to join your team.   The real question isn’t “How do we find people?”   The real question is “Why aren’t they choosing us?”   In this episode, I share 5 practical leadership strategies to fix your culture, attract top talent, reduce turnover, and build a true competitive advantage, even in a tight labor market.   If you’re tired of hearing the same old excuses and ready for real solutions, press play. Ready to transform your culture? Check out BlueCollarLeadership.com/culture #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #TalentAcquisition #Construction #Hiring #LeadershipDevelopment #Manufacturing #PublicWorks

  4. Jul 1

    504: How to Hire the Right People for Your Contracting Business featuring Paul Sanneman

    In this interview, Paul Sanneman discusses: Why Most Contractors Struggle to Find Good Help (And How to Fix It)How to Building Winning Teams in ConstructionHow to Stop Making Bad HiresThe Real Secret to Hiring Reliable TradespeopleThe Impact of AI on the Recruiting ProcessThe Importance of Hiring Slow and Firing Fast In this episode of the Blue Collar Leadership Podcast, host Mack Story interviews Paul Sanneman, Founder and CEO of Contractor Staffing Source. With over 50 years of experience coaching and consulting thousands of construction companies, Paul founded Contractor Staffing Source to solve one of the industry’s biggest challenges: finding and hiring reliable, high-performing team members who fit a company’s culture. Specializing exclusively in recruiting for residential and commercial contractors across the U.S. and Canada, his firm handles the full hiring process so contractors can focus on building their businesses, strengthening their teams, improving profitability, and ultimately making more money in less time while having more fun. Mack and Paul explore practical leadership insights around attracting and retaining top blue-collar talent, building winning teams, and creating the kind of culture that drives long-term success in the trades. #contractor #recruiting #constructionlife #staffing #staffingsolutions  #construction #constructionindustry#bluecollarleadership

  5. Jun 1

    503: Your Biggest Problem Isn’t “Them”…It’s YOU!

    Albert Einstein said the significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking that created them. If you’re struggling with people, the real issue is usually your own character, not theirs. The solution isn’t in changing them; it’s in changing you. When you look in the mirror and accept responsibility instead of blaming others, everything starts getting better. Your influence grows, your results improve, and success shows up more often. High impact leaders take the blame when things go wrong and give credit to others when things go right. They know self-mastery is the hardest but most important work they’ll ever do. Stop waiting for others to change and start working on yourself. You are the problem, and you are also the solution.

  6. May 1

    502: Why Smart, Talented People Stay Stuck

    If you’ve ever felt overlooked, passed up, or stuck despite your talent, this episode will challenge you to look in the mirror, take responsibility, and finally break through the wall that’s holding you back. In this eye-opening episode, Mack Story unpacks John C. Maxwell’s powerful truth: “Your character growth determines the height of your personal growth.” Drawing from real-world career stories and Norman Schwarzkopf’s sobering insight that “99% of leadership failures are failures in character,” Mack reveals why so many sharp, capable professionals remain trapped at the bottom of the corporate ladder…not because they lack skills or intelligence, but because their character is holding them back. You’ll hear about the “confused” people who blame the world, their bosses, and their co-workers while unknowingly sabotaging their own potential, discover the difference between getting hired for competency and getting promoted (or fired) for character, and learn why more degrees and technical training will never fix what only character-building can.

  7. Apr 24

    501: Our Character Makes Us or Breaks Us

    Mack Story explains that good character is built piece by piece through thought, choice, courage, and determination—not given like talent. Drawing from Henry Cloud’s idea that character is the ability to meet the demands of reality, he shares raw stories from his many years in the trades, including the hard lessons from dealing with his son Eric, where his lack of patience—a clear character flaw—led to ineffective control instead of true development. Mack breaks down how values shape our thoughts, feelings, and actions, and how our daily choices reveal our real character to our team. For supervisors, plant managers, and aspiring leaders in manufacturing, construction, and the skilled trades, this episode delivers simple, practical steps to spot blind spots, build patience, choose growth over control, and do the hard things until they become habits that strengthen you and your team.

  8. Apr 17

    500: Meet Derek Brown – The Man Who Inspired This Podcast 8 Years Ago

    In this very special 500th episode of the Blue Collar Leadership Podcast, Mack Story reunites with Derek Brown—the man who inspired him to launch the Blue Collar Leadership podcast eight years ago. Derek shares the story of how he and Mack first connected, his own powerful personal growth journey, the professional path that shaped him, and what he’s doing today as National Sales Director at CrewPlex, where he helps construction, industrial, and high-risk teams communicate safely and effectively in loud, demanding environments. Check out the products Derek offers at CrewPlex.com  With a focus on human-first leadership, sales coaching, and team development, Derek delivers real-world insights on growth, resilience, and leading people the right way—whether you’re on the shop floor, in the field, or running a team. This milestone conversation is both a heartfelt look back at the podcast’s beginnings and an inspiring forward look at what authentic leadership looks like in blue-collar industries today. If you’ve ever been impacted by the show, you won’t want to miss this one. #leadershippodcast #leadershiptips #bluecollarleadership #podcast #growthjourney

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5
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

Leadership development for everyone in the blue collar workforce, those who support them, and those who lead them. Leadership is influence. Influence is built daily, not in a day. There are two types of influence: 1) Artificial influence which comes with a title, position, or rank and is reserved for those who have formal authority over others; and 2) Authentic influence which is based on a person's character and the relationships they build, and it's available to anyone with or without a position of authority because it's based on moral authority (who you are and how you do what you do).

Information

  • Creator
    Mack Story
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    511
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mack Story
  • Show Website
    Blue Collar Leadership

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