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. 4D AGO

    499 :: Performance Reviews Are Broken In Construction—Here's How to Avoid Demoralizing and Confusing Your Talent

    499 :: Performance Reviews Are Broken In Construction—Here's How to Avoid Demoralizing and Confusing Your Talent    Are your year-end performance reviews actually motivating your team—or does it feel like (to you and/or them?) you're all just checking a box?   In construction, where time is money and field leaders are already stretched thin, performance reviews often feel like administrative burdens instead of leadership tools that motivate your team and accelerate performance into a new year.    But what if these meetings were more than bureaucratic necessities from HR? What if they could drive motivation, retention, and clarity heading into the new year?   In this episode, you will:   Learn how to turn your year-end reviews into real conversations that energize employees Get two proven templates that bring clarity, structure, and fairness to your evaluations Discover the hidden leadership opportunities most construction execs miss during reviews     Listen now to learn how to lead year-end performance reviews that boost morale, improve retention, and make you a more effective construction leader.   Below are links to the two articles mentioned along with a PDF download of the tool we use at Hartmann & Co.    How to Create Your Own "Year in Review" by Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis   Research: Performance Reviews That Actually Motivate Employees by Joonyoung Kim and Emily Zitek   BH&Co GAPP Model: Download here   The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.      This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

    14 min

  2. 12/22/2025

    498 :: From Forgotten, Dusty Binders to Focused Execution: The Simple Strategy Template Hartmann Used for 2026 Strategy Planning

    Is your annual strategic plan snapped shut in some binder, just collecting dust by February?   If you're a construction leader frustrated with planning sessions that feel good in the moment but lead nowhere, you're not alone. This episode tackles why traditional strategy frameworks often fail to deliver results—and offers a tested alternative you can use with your own team before the year kicks off.   In this episode you will: Learn a simple but powerful 3x100-day planning system that keeps your team focused all year long Discover how to link lead measures directly to your revenue goals without drowning in data Get a behind-the-scenes look at a fully transparent, high-engagement strategic session that any team can replicate     Listen now to discover how to transform your 2026 planning process into a leadership tool that drives clarity, accountability, and momentum.   Click here to download the PDF template.    The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.    This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

    22 min

  3. 12/18/2025

    497 :: Why Pacesetter Leadership Backfires in Construction (And What to Do Instead)

    Is your push for excellence quietly burning out your best people?   Many construction leaders default to "pacesetting"—leading by example, demanding speed, and expecting others to keep up. But according to leadership expert Daniel Goleman, this style may be crushing team morale, lowering performance, and increasing turnover—especially when overused.   In this episode you will: Learn the 6 proven leadership styles outlined in Goleman's HBR article—and how they apply to construction. Understand why pacesetting, though well-intentioned, often leads to burnout and disengagement. Discover how to flex your leadership style to drive accountability, morale, and long-term results on every project.     Listen now to uncover which leadership style your team really needs—and how to lead with clarity, confidence, and lasting impact.   Click here to download Goleman's 6 Leadership Styles.   The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.    This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

    12 min

  4. 12/16/2025

    496 :: Why the "Old School" Leadership Style Doesn't Work With Young Talent Anymore—And What To Do Instead with Mike Ellerbrook of UFP Site Built

    Is your leadership style helping your construction team grow—or pushing top talent away?   If you're leading teams in today's construction industry, you know generational gaps, tech adoption, and market uncertainty are more real than ever. In this episode, you'll hear from UFP Site-Built EVP Mike Ellerbrook, whose leadership journey from the plant floor to the executive level shows how emotional intelligence, adaptability, and humor build strong, high-performance cultures that last.   In this episode you will: Discover how to shift leadership styles to reduce resistance to change and drive accountability. Learn how to make your culture more fun without losing focus on performance. Get real-world tactics to engage younger employees while respecting the wisdom of your veterans.     Press play to learn how strong leaders like Mike Ellerbrook adapt, connect across generations, and lead construction teams with focus, candor, and confidence.   Click here to download the classic HBR article on leadership styles by Daniel Goleman.     The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.    This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

    22 min

  5. 12/11/2025

    495 :: An NFL Star's Struggles Reveal the Dangerous Lie About Complexity in Construction Leadership

    Are your best people underperforming despite their experience and talent?   This episode challenges ones of the most dangerous assumptions leaders make: that underperformance is a talent issue instead of a system problem.   Using lessons from NFL quarterbacks and a powerful leadership mental model, Bradley Hartmann explores why complexity is often the real enemy on your job sites – and how to fix it.   In this episode you will:   ·      Discover how elite athletes like Donovan McNabb can still fail under the wrong system – and what it means for your team. ·      Learn how to run the "McNabb Test" on your processes to spot complexity bottlenecks. ·      Understand how simplifying your communication can unlock execution, speed, and confidence in your crews.   Listen now to learn how reducing complexity in your leadership approach can help your best people perform at the best – consistently.   The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.    This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

    10 min

  6. 12/09/2025

    494 :: From 'Bust' to All Pro: What QB Comebacks Like Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield Teach Us About Leading Teams

    Ever wonder how NFL quarterbacks go from being labeled "busts" to top performers—just by changing teams?   The list here is long: Sam Darnold, Mac Jones, and Baker Mayfield to name three who have played at a high level this year.      In construction, just like in football, leaders often misjudge struggling team members by blaming personal traits instead of assessing the environments they're placed in.    This episode unpacks the critical leadership blindspot known as the fundamental attribution error—and how it's quietly sabotaging your team's performance.   In this episode you will: Discover why underperforming employees may actually be victims of poor systems—not poor character. Learn 7 leadership tools that help you shift focus from blaming individuals to improving environments.       Press play to uncover the leadership principle that could improve your team's performance starting today.   The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.    This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

    26 min

  7. 12/04/2025

    493 :: Tired of the Same Old Advice? These 6 Books Will Change Your View on Leadership, Strategy, and Differentiation

    Two quick questions:    ONE Are the books you're reading actually making you a better leader? Or are they just filling space on your shelf?   TWO Are you reading the same books as everyone else, putting yourself at risk for thinking like everyone else?   In this episode, host Bradley Hartmann shares the six most essential books he read this year—each selected for their impact on construction leadership, strategy execution, innovation, and driving real accountability. Whether you're managing teams or steering your company toward greater differentiation, these unconventional books are tools, not trophies.   In this episode you will:  Discover practical strategies for balancing ambition with reality in your project planning Learn how to break away from mind-numbing industry conformity and spark original thinking Understand the true difference between leadership and management (and why most get it wrong)     Listen now to upgrade your leadership mindset with the six most unconventionally transformative books of the year.   The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.    This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

    17 min

  8. 12/02/2025

    492 :: What Warren Buffett's Final Letter Teaches Us About Focused Leadership, Timeless Values, and Letting Go

    Skeptical about what a 95-year-old billionaire can teach you about leadership, storytelling, and executive communication? That's fair, but Warren Buffett's final letter to his Berkshire Hathaway shareholders is worth studying for its clarity, humility, and sense of humor. In this episode, host Bradley Hartmans breaks down this masterclass in executive communication and leadership that every construction leader can learn from. Buffett's farewell isn't just an unusual corporate SEC filing—it's a roadmap for leading with legacy in mind.   In this episode you will: Discover why Buffett's best leadership trait might not be what you think (and how to apply it on your own job sites). Learn how focusing on emotional intelligence, gratitude, and long-term thinking can drastically improve how you lead your teams. Get practical storytelling and communication takeaways that will help you lead with more confidence and far less firefighting.   Listen now to learn how one of history's greatest business minds wrote his final message—and what it means for your leadership journey.   Click here to download a PDF of Buffett's final letter.    The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems. Whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.    This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.   *** If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together. If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

    28 min
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4.8
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93 Ratings

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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