The Leading HVAC Podcast

Service Training Evolution, LLC
The Leading HVAC Podcast

The Leading HVAC Podcast from SBE is a must-listen for HVAC professionals aiming to stand out. This short-format podcast offers a fresh perspective from seasoned executives, managers, and innovators. It provides valuable insights from their journeys to help you navigate challenges and become a true leader in the constantly changing HVAC industry.

  1. 1D AGO

    18. Letting Go to Lead: Overcoming the Biggest Challenge in HVAC Leadership

    One of the hardest things for HVAC leaders is learning to let go of control and trust their team. In this episode of The Leading HVAC Podcast, Carrie Ivester from Anderson Heating and Cooling shares her journey from starting as a temporary receptionist to becoming the company's owner. She reveals how embracing leadership, empowering her team, and overcoming the challenge of delegation have helped the company thrive. If you're struggling to release control and build a strong company culture, this episode is a must-listen! Key Takeaways: Why Control is the Biggest Leadership Challenge: Letting go and allowing others to take ownership leads to better efficiency, higher team morale, and unexpected growth.How Team Buy-In Transforms a Business: Anderson Heating and Cooling operates with a ‘tech buy-in’ model, where employees have a say in key decisions. This approach fosters trust, engagement, and long-term success.The Power of Meetings Done Right: Regular team huddles, supervisor meetings, and one-on-ones keep communication clear and ensure that every team member feels valued and heard.Coaching and Training: A Non-Negotiable for Growth: Investing in coaching and structured training programs has been a game-changer for Anderson, helping technicians perform better and keeping the company at the top of its game. If you’re a leader looking to scale your HVAC business while balancing work and life, Carrie’s insights will help you rethink how to lead effectively.  Learn more at sbeodyssey.com Follow us on social media Instagram | Facebook

    20 min
  2. MAR 4

    16. Building Stronger Leadership Teams in HVAC

    In this episode of The Leading HVAC Podcast, Michael Culley and Dustin Kendall, leaders at Kelly Mechanical, share their inspiring journey of growth, trust, and teamwork. They dive into the challenges of starting a business, the importance of finding the right team members, and the leadership strategies that helped them build a thriving company culture. From Michael’s technical expertise to Dustin’s operational insights, their story highlights how complementary leadership skills can drive success in the HVAC industry. Tune in to discover practical lessons on trust, communication, and leadership development. Key Takeaways: Trust is the Foundation of Leadership Success:Building a strong leadership team starts with trust. Leaders must seek individuals they can rely on to share responsibilities, foster collaboration, and enhance team effectiveness. Leverage Complementary Strengths for Growth:Combining technical expertise with operational skills can propel a business forward. Understanding and respecting each leader’s unique abilities ensures balanced decision-making and streamlined operations. Consistent Communication Fuels Effective Leadership:Regular meetings and open communication are key to aligning goals and ensuring tasks are completed efficiently. Leaders who prioritize transparency create a cohesive team dynamic that drives success. Learn more about SBE at sbeodyssey.com Connect with us on social media: Instagram | Facebook

    31 min
  3. JAN 21

    14. The Secret to Building a Thriving HVAC Partnership

    In this episode of The Leading HVAC Podcast, Chris Davidson and Ben Lagrange, co-owners of Blue Ridge Heating and Air, discuss the dynamics of partnership, the strategies behind their HVAC acquisitions, and how they navigate leadership challenges together. From leaving corporate America to acquiring two HVAC companies, Chris and Ben share their journey and the key lessons they've learned about communication, alignment on values, and staying focused on their goals. Tune in to learn how they balance decision-making, develop their team, and prepare for industry changes—all while keeping a close eye on data. Key Takeaways: Partnerships Thrive on Shared Values and Open Communication: Building a successful business partnership starts with strong alignment on core values, ensuring that both partners are moving toward the same goals. Open, direct communication is essential for tackling challenges and making key decisions, especially in co-leadership dynamics. Adaptation to Industry Changes Requires Strategic Focus: In a fast-evolving field, staying updated on industry shifts—like new technology and regulatory changes—can set companies apart. Preparing teams to handle both the technical demands and customer interactions of these changes helps companies remain competitive and customer-focused. Data-Driven Decisions Maintain Operational Health: Weekly KPI tracking across all departments keeps the team aligned and helps identify areas needing attention. A regular, data-centered approach to decision-making helps organizations stay proactive and responsive to changes in business performance. Effective Delegation and Clear Role Division are Critical: Defining clear roles for each leader ensures smoother operations and leverages the strengths of each partner. Leaders should focus on their core responsibilities and delegate where needed, creating a structure that supports growth and reduces bottlenecks. Learning from Mistakes and Leveraging Mentorship Accelerates Growth: Avoiding common mistakes and maximizing growth often come from seeking out mentors and industry experts who can provide valuable insights and advice. Learning from both personal experiences and the guidance of others can help navigate challenges effectively and efficiently. Learn more about SBE at sbeodyssey.com Connect with us on social media: Instagram | Facebook

    25 min
  4. JAN 7

    13. The Secret Weapon HVAC Leaders Overlook

    In this episode, we sit down with Ann Lowe, VP of Field Operations and Administration at George Brazil, to reveal the secret weapon many HVAC leaders overlook: the power of an advisory board and effective feedback. Ann shares how implementing a technician advisory board transformed her company's culture, reduced resistance to change, and boosted team morale. Learn how involving your team in decision-making can lead to exceptional loyalty and performance. Whether you're leading a small team or a large organization, this episode offers actionable insights to elevate your leadership and unlock your team's full potential. Key Takeaways: Implement an Advisory Board for Better Decision-Making: Creating an advisory board composed of team members allows leaders to gather valuable insights directly from those on the front lines. This inclusion fosters a sense of ownership among employees, making them more receptive to change and new initiatives. Effective Feedback Reduces Resistance: Open communication and actively seeking input from your team make employees feel heard and valued. When employees are part of the conversation, they are less likely to resist changes and more likely to support company decisions. Delegate and Develop Future Leaders: Identify potential leaders by gradually giving them more responsibilities without formal title changes. This approach lets you assess their capabilities and readiness for bigger roles, ensuring a stronger leadership pipeline. Know Your People Beyond the Numbers: Understanding your employees on a personal level builds loyalty and trust. Recognize that external factors can affect performance, and offer support when needed to keep your team engaged and committed. Learn more about SBE at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sbeodyssey.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

    27 min
  5. 12/17/2024

    12. The #1 Leadership Tip to Keep Your Best Employees

    In this episode, we’re joined by Aleks Ozgur, Director of Coaching and Training at SBE, who shares her expertise on building effective teams in the HVAC industry through coaching and feedback. With eight years of experience at SBE, Aleks delves into strategies for hiring the right people, creating a coaching culture, and motivating today’s workforce. Learn how consistent feedback, coaching, and aligning personal goals with business objectives can drive team performance and increase employee retention. This episode offers HVAC leaders practical tools to empower their teams and foster a culture of growth.   Key Takeaways: Hire for Values and Train for Skills: Focus on hiring individuals whose values align with your company's culture. Skills can be taught, but the right attitude and alignment with core values build a strong foundation for a successful team. Give Consistent Feedback and Build a Coaching Culture: Feedback shouldn’t only happen when something goes wrong. Regular, immediate feedback—both positive and constructive—keeps employees motivated and engaged. Leaders should also coach employees by asking questions that empower them to find solutions rather than just giving directives. Set Clear Expectations for Success: Before onboarding a new hire, define what success looks like for their role. Establish clear goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) so both you and your team members know the benchmarks for achievement, creating a shared vision of success and reducing turnover.   Learn more about SBE at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sbeodyssey.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

    30 min
  6. 12/03/2024

    11. The #1 Skill Every CSR & Dispatch Manager Needs to Thrive in HVAC

    In this episode, we dive into the essential skills and strategies for success as a CSR and Dispatch Manager in the HVAC industry. Shannon Hunter, CSR Dispatch Manager at Daniell Heat and Air shares her journey from temp worker to leadership and offers powerful insights on managing customer expectations, building strong teams, and navigating change in a fast-paced environment. Whether in CSR, dispatch, or management, this episode will give you practical advice on handling stress, leading effectively, and staying adaptable to industry changes. Key Takeaways: Prioritize Clear Communication and Collaboration: Effective communication between CSR and dispatch teams is crucial for smooth operations. Daily huddles and regular updates on capacity planning help everyone stay on the same page, ensuring technicians are matched with the right calls and customer needs are met efficiently. Embrace Change for Growth: The HVAC industry is evolving with technology, from mobile dispatching to AI applications. Embracing these changes not only improves efficiency but also helps teams stay competitive. Taking change one step at a time can make adjustments manageable and lead to greater success. Manage Stress with Intentional Focus: In a high-demand role, managing stress is essential. Shannon recommends focusing on one task at a time and prioritizing what’s most important each day. Building work-life balance and finding activities outside of work, such as hiking or dancing, can also help prevent burnout and keep team morale high. Learn more about SBE at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sbeodyssey.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

    23 min

    About

    The Leading HVAC Podcast from SBE is a must-listen for HVAC professionals aiming to stand out. This short-format podcast offers a fresh perspective from seasoned executives, managers, and innovators. It provides valuable insights from their journeys to help you navigate challenges and become a true leader in the constantly changing HVAC industry.

    Content Restricted

    This episode can’t be played on the web in your country or region.

    To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

    Stay up to date with this show

    Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.

    Select a country or region

    Africa, Middle East, and India

    Asia Pacific

    Europe

    Latin America and the Caribbean

    The United States and Canada