Ballers Ball: How to Create and Sustain a High Performance Culture
Release Date: 12/10/2024
Why Construction Companies Stop Growing—and How to Fix It
Construction Genius
Growth isn’t just about bigger projects or tighter timelines; it’s about developing leadership. When the leaders try to do everything themselves, struggle to delegate, or are unable to build trust within their teams, it often leads to hitting the ceiling. Emotional intelligence, intentional listening, and clarity of intent are essential in shaping high-performing teams. Building self-awareness, fighting the impostor syndrome, and leading through uncertainty might seem challenging at times, but it’s up to the leaders to decide which direction is best for your organization. Rachel...
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Forget Hierarchy — How This Construction Company Runs as a True Team
Construction Genius
What happens when leadership isn’t about control but about a shared goal? What if the future business world looks more like a team, not a hierarchy? As more companies reconsider the traditional structures, models like worker cooperatives and employee-owned cooperatives are gaining momentum. They offer a way to codify culture, share decision-making, and maintain purpose beyond the founder’s occupancy. These models present an agreeable alternative in a time when millions of small businesses face uncertain futures. It’s time to see ownership as not a privilege for the few but a path for the...
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The Fighter Pilot Mindset Every Construction Leader Needs for Safer, Faster Projects
Construction Genius
In today’s episode of Construction Genius, we dive deep into a powerful leadership framework that can transform how you run your construction projects — the Fighter Pilot Mindset based on John Boyd’s legendary OODA loop. In fast-paced, high-risk environments — whether it’s a fighter jet or a complex construction site — the speed and quality of your team’s decision-making can make or break project outcomes. Yet many construction leaders today face persistent challenges: ✅ Bridging the gap between office leadership and field crews ✅ Balancing safety and productivity...
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Speed, Quality, Cost: Using AI to Finally Get All Three in Construction
Construction Genius
The construction industry is currently at a significant juncture where the industry’s traditional practices begin to converge with new cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence. AI helps teams to uncover insights, streamline operations, and improve decision-making, making it an emerging powerful partner rather than a tool. Trevor Schick is the CEO of Slate Technologies, a company revolutionizing the construction industry through AI-driven decision support tools. He brings a unique perspective to the industry’s technological space, having a career leading global supply chains...
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From Stigma to Support: Fixing the Mental Health Crisis in Construction
Construction Genius
Dan Lester, Vice President of Field Culture and Inclusion at Clayco, brings a powerful voice to the conversation around mental health in the construction industry. Focusing on total health and well-being, Dan emphasizes that mental health is about managing everyday and extreme stress. Dan shares findings from a 2024 Clayco study showing that 54% of tradespeople reported anxiety or depression in the past year, yet many still feel ashamed to talk about it. Dan attributes this to stigma, pride, and the male-dominated nature of the industry. He stresses the importance of psychological safety...
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How to Win Negotiated Projects in Construction Without Competing on Price
Construction Genius
If you’re serious about winning more work, building trust with clients, and leading your sales team with confidence, let’s talk. I’m offering a free 10-minute call to help you pinpoint exactly where your sales process is breaking down—and what to do about it. 👉 Book your 10-minute call here: Don’t wait for the phone to ring. Let’s get proactive, strategic, and focused on what actually works in construction sales. Winning negotiated projects in construction isn’t about cutting into your profit; it’s about cultivating trust, clear communication, and placing yourself as the...
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From Bad Plans to Brilliant Builds: Practical Applications of AI in Construction
Construction Genius
As in any other industry, artificial intelligence is becoming a vital tool in construction, reforming how projects are designed, planned, and executed. It can help construction companies with critical challenges like skilled labor shortages by empowering junior employees with expert knowledge ingrained in digital tools. As the industry evolves, AI stands out as a practical, approachable tool that delivers efficiency and innovation. However, it’s important to note that AI is not a ‘know-all’ but rather a tool that continues to evolve and improve over time through user feedback and...
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Aggressive Patience: The Strategic Art of Family Business Succession
Construction Genius
Family business succession is not just about changing the leadership; it’s a delicate balancing act between maintaining the legacy and embracing innovation. Both founders and successors face the challenges of navigating deep personal attachments, generational differences, and the emotional weight of letting go and stepping up. A genuine succession requires more than a solid plan: it demands trust, humility, and the discipline to lead by example. Joining us today is Dimitri Sidiropoulos. Dimitri is a son, husband, father of three, and a second-generation leader in the construction...
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From Dictator to Coach: The Leadership Shift Every Construction Owner Must Make to Win in 2025
Construction Genius
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...
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No Ego, No Surprises: The Succession System That Actually Works
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...
info_outlineCreating a high-performance work culture necessitates a clear focus on individual contributions, skill development, and common goals. It also involves cultivating an inclusive workplace in which all employees, regardless of background or personal beliefs, can thrive. At the heart of such a culture is the recognition that success is driven by performance rather than equality of outcomes. A company must provide equal opportunity for all employees, encouraging them to bring their best efforts, abilities, and attitudes to the table. In this week’s solo episode, Eric discusses how to create and maintain a high-performance work culture.
Starting the conversation, Eric defines high-performing culture and explains the types of people who fit into that culture. According to him, you as a company owner need to find the types of people who possess high technical skills, strong people skills, high intensity & focus, are team-oriented, take initiative, and are accountable to build a high-performing culture. These are the types of people who do not fit into this category: paycheck picker-uppers, politically or religiously divisive individuals, and also people overly obsessed with work-life balance.
Furthermore, Eric explains how you can sustain this high-performing culture along with the following topics regarding building the culture: talent diversity, work-life balance, equality vs. equity, and lessons from successful companies like Netflix.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
03:10 What is a high-performance culture?
06:06 Eric explains the types of people who are in and are not in a high-performance culture.
07:40 The importance of collecting people who are better at people skills.
09:36 How a consistent attitude and willingness to collaborate will drive long-term success.
13:33 The three types of paycheck picker-uppers.
20:07 Professionalism and politics.
22:33 The importance of equality over equity in a high-performance culture.
26:00 The importance of talent diversity.
30:00 Balancing high performance with inclusivity and work-life balance.
31:10 Lessons from Netflix.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
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Focus on Profitability in Every Decision
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Look for people with the right combination of skill, effort, and attitude (SEA).
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Prioritize both technical and people skills.
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Ensure high intensity with correct focus and strong team orientation.
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Look for individuals who demonstrate initiative and continuous growth.
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Encourage professionalism by prioritizing company goals over personal political beliefs.
THE SHIFT
Imagine making the shift from building projects to truly leading people.
You’ve taken projects from start to finish—now it’s time to build a team of people who can do the same.
In construction, authentic leadership goes beyond managing tasks; it’s about inspiring and guiding people.
The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader is a no-BS, hands-on course I designed specifically for construction professionals ready to make that transition.
The Shift is all about mastering the skills that matter:
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Direct, clear communication.
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Handling tough conversations with confidence.
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Guiding your team toward quick, practical solutions.
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Setting the standard for high performance.
And let’s be honest—you’re busy.
That’s why I’ll also give you the tools to manage your time and energy efficiently so you can lead without getting overwhelmed.
This course combines a self-paced masterclass with highly practical materials to help you shift from managing projects to leading people.
Click the link to learn more about The Shift, including a detailed description, free bonuses, and testimonials from construction leaders like you who have already made the shift: https://theshift.constructiongenius.com/
Are people problems eroding your company's profits? Discover proven strategies to lead, strategize, and sell effectively, ensuring your projects stay profitable. Elevate your construction business by purchasing Construction Genius: Effective, Hands-On, Practical, Simple, No-BS Leadership, Strategy, Sales, and Marketing Advice for Construction Companies today and turn your people problems into profit!: www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/
Is an executive or leader in your company struggling? Reach out to Eric to discuss how his transformative executive coaching approach can help. Schedule a 10 minute call with Eric today to learn more: 10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me