From Dictator to Coach: The Leadership Shift Every Construction Owner Must Make to Win in 2025

Today, Eric explores the essential shift in leadership from the outdated command-and-control style to a coaching-focused approach. Eric addresses common leadership myths, emphasizes the power of trust, and outlines practical frameworks for effective coaching conversations. He highlights tools like the 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard to help leaders set goals, track progress, and foster accountability. With actionable advice on asking the right questions and creating a supportive culture, Eric equips leaders to build stronger teams and achieve long-term success. He closes with a call to embrace coaching as the key to thriving in today's competitive landscape. HIGHLIGHTS [00:46] Leadership Shift from Command and Control to Coaching  [03:50] Five Lies Successful Leaders Tell Themselves [07:47] Practical Coaching Frameworks [09:47] Effective Coaching Questions [17:34] 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard   KEY TAKEAWAYS Focus on coaching, not controlling. Use open-ended questions like "What's your biggest challenge?" Hold coaching talks midweek, late morning, distraction-free. Set clear goals, track progress, and build accountability. Help your team grow instead of being the sole problem-solver.   Mentioned in the episode: 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard You can't afford to let your people drift. To drive real performance, you must coach with clarity and purpose.   Use the 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard to: Get clear on what matters most. Drive focused action and accountability. Strengthen trust and deepen relationships.   Success doesn't happen by accident. It happens when leaders coach with precision and consistency. Download the 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard here: https://www.constructiongenius.com/high-performance-in-a-new-role Coach your team toward real results — one conversation at a time.     Resources to Help You Win in Construction 📖 Construction Genius Book – No B.S., practical, hands-on leadership, strategy, sales, and marketing advice for construction companies. Click this link to buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/ 🎯 The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader – Master the leadership skills you need to succeed in construction. Click this link to learn more and enroll: https://theshift.constructiongenius.com ☎️ Book a 10-Minute Call with Eric Anderton – If you want to discuss how I can help you coach your leaders, let’s connect. Book a 10-minute conversation here: https://10minutes.youcanbook.me 🎧 Subscribe & Share If this episode hit home, share it with your sales team. And don’t forget to leave a review—it helps more construction leaders find Construction Genius!  

What is the greatest remark in your leadership? Is it what you’ve left behind, or is it what you’ve built? Brad DesJardin, retired president of DesCor Builders, joins today’s episode to explore a succession system that works, embedded with values, clarity, and trust. Through the lens of the construction industry, we discuss how to create a lasting impact by planning with purpose, raising the right people, and letting go at the right time. Whether you are a founder thinking about taking the next step or a leader stepping into a bigger role, join us and listen as a reminder; legacy isn’t about holding on, it’s about preparing and witnessing others thrive without you.   HIGHLIGHTS [01:50] The biggest challenge of stepping away from a business.  [04:45] Life as a series of assignments. [06:20] Values, attracting talent, and retaining talent.  [08:23] The importance of accountability.  [10:50] An early succession plan.  [14:12] Seasons of life and risk evaluations with younger generations.  [16:30] The source of camaraderie in a healthy construction company.   [20:30] Hiring with leadership potential in mind.  [25:00] The importance of partnership.  [30:24] Witnessing the evolution of your values through others.  [34:08] Identity beyond titles.  [42:06] The importance of letting go of ego and respecting the new leaders. [47:07] Advice for exiting business owners in construction.    KEY TAKEAWAYS Know when to pass the torch, think what’s best for the company. Create space for rising talent. The passion and energy of young people are often the missing ingredients.  Clarify your core values, know what you stand for.  Recognize the full circle of support because employees’ home life affects their work life.   Let your values live beyond you, make them seen and felt.  Let go of the need for external validation for a decision rooted in purpose.  Find joy and take pride in others’ success.    RESOURCES:   Connect with Brad DesJardin LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/in/brad-desjardin-533b60235/  Website - https://descorbuilders.com/    Restaurant Josephine, CA https://josephineauburn.com/      Resources to Help You Win in Construction 📖 Construction Genius Book – No B.S., practical, hands-on leadership, strategy, sales, and marketing advice for construction companies. Click this link to buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/ 🎯 The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader – Master the leadership skills you need to succeed in construction. Click this link to learn more and enroll: https://theshift.constructiongenius.com ☎️ Book a 10-Minute Call with Eric Anderton – If you want to discuss how I can help you coach your leaders, let’s connect. Book a 10-minute conversation here: https://10minutes.youcanbook.me 🎧 Subscribe & Share If this episode hit home, share it with your sales team. And don’t forget to leave a review—it helps more construction leaders find Construction Genius!  

This episode offers a practical roadmap for leaders aiming to integrate AI while enhancing judgment, collaboration, and decision-making in construction! Luca Dellanna, a management advisor and bestselling author, discusses the real-world applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the construction industry. Luca emphasizes how AI can streamline operations by reducing errors, minimizing rework, and improving planning efficiency. The discussion explores using general-purpose AI tools like ChatGPT, with Luca advocating their accessibility and value for key personnel involved in project planning and proposal development. Furthermore, Luca delves into AI's role in enhancing clarity, acting as a "sounding board" for ideas, and helping with pre-mortem analysis to anticipate project failures. Luca shares strategies for crafting effective AI prompts, drawing parallels between prompt engineering and team delegation. He also tackles privacy concerns and advises trusting reputable vendors and anonymizing sensitive data. The conversation rounds out with insights on using AI for negotiation prep, meeting summaries, and internal documentation, stressing the importance of human oversight. Looking ahead, Luca underscores the need for companies to future-proof their workforce by developing AI literacy and sharing best practices.    HIGHLIGHTS [02:07] Integrating AI in Construction [04:56] Identifying Key Areas for AI Integration [06:42] Creating Effective AI Prompts  [12:15] Addressing Privacy Concerns with AI  [14:04] Using AI for Pre-Mortem Analysis  [16:52] AI's Role in Replacing Workers vs. Improving Judgment  [23:25] Future-Proofing Workforce with AI Skills  [25:45] AI in Negotiation and Meeting Summaries   KEY TAKEAWAYS Leverage tools like ChatGPT to reduce blind spots and improve clarity in job planning and bid writing. Write detailed prompts with clear goals and success metrics to get more useful AI responses. Ask AI to simulate project failures and identify risks before starting. Use AI to draft meeting notes, then review for accuracy and add key details. Teach staff to prompt effectively and share AI best practices across your company to future-proof your workforce.   RESOURCES: Connect with Luca Dellanna: Luca on X: @DellAnnaLuca LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dellannaluca/ Website: luca-dellanna.com/   Mentioned in the episode: The simpler way to get your team to use AI: luca-dellanna.com/posts/ai-faster-adoption Never Split the Difference: amazon.com/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended   Restaurant Recommendation: http://lnx.plinetajarin.it/   Resources to Help You Win in Construction 📖 Construction Genius Book – No B.S., practical, hands-on leadership, strategy, sales, and marketing advice for construction companies. Click this link to buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/ 🎯 The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader – Master the leadership skills you need to succeed in construction. Click this link to learn more and enroll: https://theshift.constructiongenius.com ☎️ Book a 10-Minute Call with Eric Anderton – If you want to discuss how I can help you coach your leaders, let’s connect. Book a 10-minute conversation here: https://10minutes.youcanbook.me 🎧 Subscribe & Share If this episode hit home, share it with your sales team. And don’t forget to leave a review—it helps more construction leaders find Construction Genius!      

The winds are changing, and uncertainty is knocking at your door! The market is shifting, and the anxiety is real. But right now? Now is your moment. In this week’s solo episode, Eric dives into what it takes to lead when the economy feels unstable, how to keep your head clear, your team steady, and your business thriving. Eric presents us with five essential principles that will help leaders focus on what they can control and lead with confidence, clarity, and calm. Let’s break it down.  HIGHLIGHTS [00:45] Self-mastery in the midst of economic uncertainty.  [03:49] Going back to the foundations.  [04:50] The role of long-term commitments in uncertain times.  [06:22] Treasuring cash by cutting unnecessary costs.  [11:13] Focus on optimizing the execution of current projects.  [16:53] Leading with optimism, personal discipline, and human connection.    Resources to Help You Win in Construction 📖 Construction Genius Book – No B.S., practical, hands-on leadership, strategy, sales, and marketing advice for construction companies. Click this link to buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/ 🎯 The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader – Master the leadership skills you need to succeed in construction. Click this link to learn more and enroll: https://theshift.constructiongenius.com ☎️ Book a 10-Minute Call with Eric Anderton – If you want to discuss how I can help you coach your leaders, let’s connect. Book a 10-minute conversation here: https://10minutes.youcanbook.me 🎧 Subscribe & Share If this episode hit home, share it with your sales team. And don’t forget to leave a review—it helps more construction leaders find Construction Genius!

Effective leadership is about more than just navigating teams to success. It involves building trust, clear communication, and emotional intelligence. Influential leaders set clear expectations, provide necessary coaching, and focus on finding solutions during challenging times. Furthermore, they identify and value the importance of personal well-being and embrace practices to manage stress and maintain a positive mindset, which leads to a supportive, high-performing organizational culture.  Johnathan Peavy brings 20 years of experience building complex facilities to his role as operations manager for Robins & Morton, a national leader in healthcare construction. As executive of the Miami—Fort Lauderdale office, Peavy oversees projects at eight medical campuses in South Florida, with contracts totaling more than $1 billion. With a background in civil engineering, Peavy’s cross-discipline expertise makes him a unique asset to the construction process, and he takes pride in knowing the healthcare facilities under his purview have a lasting impact on the community. Peavy is a graduate of Auburn University and holds multiple credentials, including LEED AP and USACE CQM-C designations. He joined us today to talk about the importance of trust, accountability, and vulnerability in leadership to build teams. HIGHLIGHTS [00:43] Johnathan’s background and career journey.  [06:13] The balance between maintaining a family-like atmosphere and pushing for high-performance. [10:22] Johnathan explains how he handle the loss of his mentor and the challenges of taking over.  [15:17] Johnathan’s approach to managing internal conflicts.  [18:27] The shift of mindset from handling individual projects to overseeing multiple projects.  [21:00] The importance of collaboration and communication.  [27:02] The importance of being open and direct during difficult conversations.  [30:08] Johnathan explains the importance of structure, balance, and self-care in managing a busy day.  [34:34] Presenting opportunities for improvement.  [38:32] Advice for leaders who are stepping into senior roles.  [44:01] The importance of vulnerability and emotional management in leadership.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Set clear expectations and define what success look like for both the individual and the company.  Be open and vulnerable with your team, especially when faced with tough circumstances.  Take time to meet with team members with all levels and show that you value their contributions.  Shift from control to influence when handling a larger team.  Start with clear communication by discussing expectations from the very beginning.  Be direct and open when facing difficult conversations.  Provide chances to improve employee performance before deciding to part ways.    RESOURCES Connect with Johnathan Peavy LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/johnathan-peavy-leed-ap-66a1429  Website – robinsmorton.com/  Instagram - instagram.com/robinsmorton/  

Timothy Wingate Jr., founder and president of G+F Business & Financial Consulting, is a licensed Enrolled Agent and construction accountant specializing in tax planning and financial consulting for construction companies. In today's conversation, Timothy discusses key accounting and tax strategies, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right accounting method—favoring the completed contract or percentage of completion methods over cash-based accounting. He highlights common misconceptions, such as poor tracking and back-office inefficiencies, and explains how accrual accounting provides better financial insight. Timothy also covers tax planning mistakes, including improper entity selection and failure to pay oneself a salary, recommending S corporations for tax advantages. He shares strategies such as Section 179 deductions, retirement planning, and corporate tax credits. Additionally, Timothy addresses IRS audits, fraud prevention, and the necessity of proactive financial planning. Concluding, he offers insights on selecting the right CPA and shares a success story of a transformed construction company. HIGHLIGHTS [01:47] Choosing the Right Accounting Method  [04:19] Steps to Implement Accrual Method [09:10] Tax Strategies and Equipment Purchases  [10:13] Maximizing Returns and Minimizing Tax Liabilities  [13:56] IRS Audits and Red Flags [17:26] Preventing Fraud and Maintaining Financial Integrity [22:38] Client Communication and Support  [27:00] Personal Motivation and Client Success Stories   KEY TAKEAWAYS Use the completed contract or percentage of completion method for better financial tracking. Implement systems for accurate receipt capture, invoicing, and expense coding. Consider an S corporation for tax savings if revenue exceeds $1M. Utilize Section 179 to deduct equipment purchases and reduce taxable income. Use company cards with spending limits and digital payment tools.   RESOURCES Connect with Timothy Wingate: G+F Business & Financial Consulting LinkedIn Handle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/twingatejr/ LinkedIn – G+F Business & Financial Consulting Instagram – G+F Business & Financial Consulting Facebook – G+F Business & Financial Consulting @GplusF – YouTube Timothy’s Restaurant Recommendation:  Lynora's   Resources to Help You Win in Construction 📖 Construction Genius Book – No B.S., practical, hands-on leadership, strategy, sales, and marketing advice for construction companies. Click this link to buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/ 🎯 The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader – Master the leadership skills you need to succeed in construction. Click this link to learn more and enroll: https://theshift.constructiongenius.com ☎️ Book a 10-Minute Call with Eric Anderton – If you want to discuss how I can help you coach your leaders, let’s connect. Book a 10-minute conversation here: https://10minutes.youcanbook.me 🎧 Subscribe & Share If this episode hit home, share it with your sales team. And don’t forget to leave a review—it helps more construction leaders find Construction Genius!  

Pat Miller, owner of Blue Diamond Construction, has over 30 years of expertise in commercial carpentry and metal framing. An award-winning author of Kicking Karma's Ass, she inspires others with her resilience. She also hosts Behind the Blueprint and was recognized as an Outstanding Woman Builder in 2024.  In today's conversation, she shares insights into the challenges of being a subcontractor, including coordination among trades and dealing with ineffective superintendents. Pat emphasizes the importance of clear communication and prefers working with contractors with whom she has an established relationship. She discusses her approach to coordination meetings, direct problem-solving with subcontractors, and meeting deadlines. On business development, Pat highlights networking, attending trade conventions, and leveraging relationships with non-competing professionals. She also shares her journey of building and rebuilding her business, overcoming personal loss, and maintaining resilience.  HIGHLIGHTS [01:08] Pat's Business Background  [03:48] Structuring Coordination Meetings  [06:55] Handling Subcontractors and Coordination Issues  [09:38] Business Development and Networking  [12:42] Effective Networking Strategies  [28:00] Building and Rebuilding the Business  [36:29] Overcoming Grief and Continuing the Business   KEY TAKEAWAYS Kick-off with a structured meeting, then maintain direct communication instead of excessive formal meetings. Tackle performance problems on-site first, giving a short window to improve before escalating. Attend industry events and trade conventions with non-competing business contacts to maximize opportunities. Adapt to personal and professional challenges by focusing on rebuilding, networking, and avoiding family business conflicts. Women in construction should assert themselves, prove their capabilities, and pursue opportunities despite biases.   RESOURCES Connect with Pat Miller:  Website: patmiller.net LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/patricia-pat-miller Company: bluediamondconstructionnj.com/ Book: KICKING Karma's Ass: Unbelievable Stories of Strength, Resilience, and Perseverance, All Told with a Twist of Humor     Resources to Help You Win in Construction 📖 Construction Genius Book – No B.S., practical, hands-on leadership, strategy, sales, and marketing advice for construction companies. Click this link to buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/ 🎯 The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader – Master the leadership skills you need to succeed in construction. Click this link to learn more and enroll: https://theshift.constructiongenius.com ☎️ Book a 10-Minute Call with Eric Anderton – If you want to discuss how I can help you coach your leaders, let’s connect. Book a 10-minute conversation here: https://10minutes.youcanbook.me 🎧 Subscribe & Share If this episode hit home, share it with your sales team. And don’t forget to leave a review—it helps more construction leaders find Construction Genius!

Chris Howell, CEO and Founder of SPX, is at the forefront of luxury gym design, blending aesthetics with functionality to create immersive fitness experiences. SPX crafts wellness spaces for high-end hospitality groups and multi-family residences, integrating cutting-edge equipment with innovative interior design. In today's conversation, Chris shares insights into his career transition from Wall Street to fitness, influenced by his athletic background in lacrosse at Hofstra University. He emphasizes the importance of nutrition over exercise, sustainable fitness routines, and balancing cardio with strength training. Chris also discusses gym design strategies, highlighting early collaboration with architects and the challenges of translating vision into execution. He delves into the sauna and cold plunge routines, injury rehabilitation, and the business strategy of targeting ideal clients. His approach underscores incremental changes for long-term health and success, both in fitness and business.   HIGHLIGHTS [00:06] Gym Design Firm Overview  [01:56] Athletic Background and Career Transition  [04:21] Sauna and Cold Plunge Usage  [07:38] Nutrition and Fitness Challenges  [13:55] Balancing Cardio and Weights [18:01] Managing Injuries and Rehabilitation  [21:12] Business Goals and Strategy  [25:17] Finding the Right Client Avatar  [29:14] Incremental Changes in Fitness and Nutrition    RESOURCES: Connect with Chris Howell: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chrishowell16/ Website: spxgymdesign.com/   Restaurant Recommendations in NYC Emily: https://www.pizzalovesemily.com/ Catch Steak: https://www.catchrestaurants.com/location/catch-nyc/   Resources to Help You Win in Construction 📖 Construction Genius Book – No B.S., practical, hands-on leadership, strategy, sales, and marketing advice for construction companies. Click this link to buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/ 🎯 The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader – Master the leadership skills you need to succeed in construction. Click this link to learn more and enroll: https://theshift.constructiongenius.com ☎️ Book a 10-Minute Call with Eric Anderton – If you want to discuss how I can help you coach your leaders, let’s connect. Book a 10-minute conversation here: https://10minutes.youcanbook.me 🎧 Subscribe & Share If this episode hit home, share it with your sales team. And don’t forget to leave a review—it helps more construction leaders find Construction Genius!    

Sean Devine is an entrepreneur, programmer, logistics expert, and the founder & CEO of XBE LLC. This enterprise software company offers an operations and business management platform tailored to large, vertically integrated construction companies. In the road building industry, XBE serves 40 major contractors, including companies with quarries, asphalt plants, ready mix-plants, crews, and trucks. His company's core mission is to seamlessly integrate the physical and financial aspects of construction operations into one cohesive system. He joined us today to talk about AI and the future of construction leadership.    Key takeaways  ✅ Trust your executives and managers to do daily operations. ✅ Acknowledge that you cannot predict the future and uncertainty can lead to opportunities if approached correctly. ✅ Optimize multiple outcomes instead of betting on one specific outcome. ✅ Acknowledge the uncertainty of the situation with your team and partners. ✅ Hire people who can quickly adapt, learn, and apply new knowledge across various areas. ✅ Trust your intuition when faced with uncertainty.   Highlights   [05:07] Sean explains the rapid decrease in the cost of intelligence due to advancements in artificial intelligence. [13:35] The challenges of balancing immediate responsibilities with long-term strategic goals. [20:00] Sean shares major changes in estimating and planning over the next three to five years. [23:22] The rapid and unexpected changes brought about by AI and technology.  [28:17] Intuition as a tool for uncertainty.  [39:56] The need for leaders to provide ambition and faith to their teams. [41:49] The importance of leadership in directing execution.  [45:50] Building trust and confidence in relationships.   Resources Connect with Sean Devine LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/seandevine-xbe/  Website - x-b-e.com/   Resources to Help You Win in Construction 📖 Construction Genius Book – No B.S., practical, hands-on leadership, strategy, sales, and marketing advice for construction companies. Click this link to buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/ 🎯 The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader – Master the leadership skills you need to succeed in construction. Click this link to learn more and enroll: https://theshift.constructiongenius.com ☎️ Book a 10-Minute Call with Eric Anderton – If you want to discuss how I can help you coach your leaders, let’s connect. Book a 10-minute conversation here: https://10minutes.youcanbook.me 🎧 Subscribe & Share If this episode hit home, share it with your sales team. And don’t forget to leave a review—it helps more construction leaders find Construction Genius!  

Clint Padgett is the CEO and President of Project Success, Inc., an author and host of The Conversation with Clinton M. Padgett podcast. With extensive expertise in project management, he helps organizations improve execution, collaboration, and communication to drive successful outcomes in complex projects across various industries. During today's conversation, Clint discusses the challenges of communication in construction projects, emphasizing that software is a tool, not a solution. He highlights the pitfalls of one-way communication and the importance of conversations in solving problems. Clint also explores the impact of silos, avoidance of confrontation, and strategies for preparing for difficult discussions. He stresses thorough planning, clear handoffs between estimating and project management, and prioritizing bottlenecks. Moreover, Clint shares advice on structuring a project manager's week, effective subcontractor communication, and regaining control in chaotic projects. Finally, he offers insights on distinguishing top project managers and handling unreasonable project owners.   Key takeaways  ✅ Avoid one-way communication; have direct discussions to solve problems faster. ✅ Encourage cross-team discussions to improve planning and execution. ✅ Remove ambiguity by involving all stakeholders in the planning process. ✅ Structure project managers' weeks with clear priorities and bottleneck checks. ✅Ensure transparent communication between estimating and project management for smoother transitions.   Highlights [01:19] Challenges of Communication in Construction Projects  [02:54] Avoidance of Confrontation and Silos  [04:33] Preparing for Confrontations  [06:49] Importance of Planning in Construction  [08:18] Sources of Gray in Projects  [11:29] Structuring a Project Manager's Week [11:48] Prioritizing Bottlenecks [12:49]Communicating with Subcontractors [16:10] Regaining Control in Chaotic Projects [24:24] Separating A-Level Project Managers  [28:30] Planning Meetings and Dealing with Unreasonable Owners    Resources Connect with Clint: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/clintpadgett/ Website: clintonmpadgett.com/   Resources to Help You Win in Construction 📖 Construction Genius Book – No B.S., practical, hands-on leadership, strategy, sales, and marketing advice for construction companies. Click this link to buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/ 🎯 The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader – Master the leadership skills you need to succeed in construction. Click this link to learn more and enroll: https://theshift.constructiongenius.com/ ☎️ Book a 10-Minute Call with Eric Anderton – If you want to discuss how I can help you coach your leaders, let’s connect. Book a 10-minute conversation here: https://10minutes.youcanbook.me/ 🎧 Subscribe & Share If this episode hit home, share it with your sales team. And don’t forget to leave a review—it helps more construction leaders find Construction Genius!