Humanity as a Strategy - Ed DeAngelis

Polaris is a production of Synozur – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease.

In this episode of Polaris, Chris McNulty interviews Ed DeAngelis, CEO of EDA Contractors, who shares his journey of transforming a roofing company into a leader in the construction industry through a focus on servant leadership and a people-first approach. Ed discusses the challenges faced in the construction sector, the importance of creating a win-win culture, and how humanity plays a crucial role in business success. He emphasizes the need for vulnerability in leadership and the impact of AI on the future of the industry.

Takeaways

Humanity as a Strategy

Treating employees as human beings first—before focusing on transactions—unlocks greater loyalty, performance, and organizational success.

Win-Win Beats Zero-Sum

Moving away from "I win, you lose" thinking to collaborative partnerships creates sustainable success with employees, vendors, and customers alike.

Leadership Evolution Takes Time

Shifting from command-and-control to servant leadership requires patience—not everyone will come along, and that's okay.

Vulnerability Is a Superpower

The best leaders know what they don't know. Humility and vulnerability build trust far more effectively than projecting invincibility.

Accountability and Care Coexist

Being people-first doesn't mean avoiding accountability—you can hold people to high standards while still treating them humanely.

The Human Brain Outpaces AI

While AI will automate mundane tasks, human emotion, creativity, and the ability to dream remain irreplaceable competitive advantages.

Culture Attracts Talent

In an industry facing a shortage of 439,000 workers, creating a best-in-class environment makes your organization the top choice for skilled talent.

Sound bites

Ed DeAngelis Quotes

"Humanity as a strategy. Be strategic on how you want to treat your people as humans first. Secondarily, you will then treat them where there's a transaction in there—but first treat them as a human."

"Vulnerability is one of the greatest assets of a great leader. The best leaders I've ever dealt with are so humble to the point that they know what they don't know."

"I'm not afraid of artificial intelligence, but I'm also not afraid of the value of humanity of humans. The human brain is a thousand times more powerful than an artificial intelligent brain."

"A robot can only do what the robot can do. A human being with the right focus on their emotion, their drive—they are way more powerful."

References

Guest Information:

Ed DeAngelis [ LinkedIn] – CEO, Servant Leader, Believer in "Humanity as a Strategy"

EDA Contractors – Specializing in exterior envelope solutions for commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings

Titan 100 – Ed DeAngelis was named one of Philadelphia's top 100 CEOs in 2025

Business

Companies and Organizations Mentioned:

Zappos – Known for customer-centric and people-first culture

Starbucks – Pioneer in employee-focused corporate culture

Google – Recognized for innovative workplace culture

Southwest Airlines – Famous for servant leadership approach

Vanguard – Founded by John Bogle, known for client-first philosophy

Statistics and Data Sources:

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Source: approximately 49.9% of businesses fail within five years

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) – Source: The construction industry needs 439,000 new workers in 2025

Pop Culture

Sports Reference:

Philadelphia Eagles – Super Bowl LIX Champions (February 2025), defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22. Jalen Hurts named Super Bowl MVP.

Events

ESPC 25 (European SharePoint Conference) – December 1-4, 2025, Dublin, Ireland

Strategy, Now With AI – January 6. 2026 (Teams Webinar)

M365 Community Days DC – January 29-30, 2026 (Arlington, Virginia)

Production

Polaris is produced with help from Riverside.fm. Our theme song, “Alternative Dream” is provided courtesy of Adobe.  Additional music and sound provided by IndieGuy Records. Graphic design by Josh Brantley.

Polaris is available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Thanks.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:45 Introducing Ed DeAngelis

01:34 News and Data Points

03:10 Welcoming Ed to Polaris

05:27 Career Journey and Entrepreneurial Spirit

07:55 Current Business Climate and Challenges

10:18 Leadership Evolution and Style

12:33 Creating a People-First Culture

14:48 Implementing Change and Overcoming Resistance

19:08 Navigating Different Paths in Business Relationships

19:41 The Power of Humanity in the Workplace

22:45 Leadership Beyond Transactions

25:41 The Strength of Vulnerability in Leadership

27:00 The Future of the Construction Industry

30:17 The Impact of Pop Culture on Leadership Philosophy

34:28 Upcoming Events and Community Engagement

35:44 Gratitude and Reflection During Thanksgiving

36:37 Future Conversations and Insights on Technology

37:09 Closing Credits