Construction Genius Podcast

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 many. 

John Abrams is a succession planning consultant, workplace democracy advocate, author, and the co-founder of both South Mountain Company and Abrams+Angell. He retired and handed over the company he started at age 24 in 2022, and started Abrams+Angell with his partner. They consult with the triple bottom line (TBL) businesses to help them with succession planning, worker co-op conversions, financial literacy, leadership development, and business effectiveness. He is the author of “From Founder to Future: A Business Roadmap to Impact, Longevity, and Employee Ownership,” which provides knowledge, strategies, and tools to help business owners successfully complete transitions. He joined us today to talk about forgetting hierarchy and running a company as a true team. 

HIGHLIGHTS

[02:30] Understanding B corporations. 

[05:56] The Impact of Codifying Company Culture. 

[10:24] The importance of clear leadership for effective decision-making. 

[13:00] The differences between worker cooperatives, ESOPs, and employee ownership trusts.

[15:00] What is democracy in business?

[18:07] The importance of listening in a coorperative environment. 

[19:35] Turning the leadership into the next generation. 

[23:45] Open book management. 

[28:44] Employee ownership options. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Regardless of how formal your systems become, stay focused on the human connection. 

2. Protect what makes your culture unique; growth and structure don’t erase the personal touch. 

3. Define roles and trust them, collaborations don’t mean everyone decides everything. 

4. Hire people who align with your values, not just job descriptions. 

5. Transitioning leadership takes intention, patience, and trust. 

RESOURCES

Connect with John Abrams

LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/john-abrams-3bb94683/ 

Website - abramsangell.com/ 

From Founder to Future: A Business Roadmap to Impact, Longevity, and Employee Ownership

By John Abrams

amazon.com/Founder-Future-Business-Longevity-Ownership/dp/1523006811 

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!

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 under constant schedule pressure
✅ Driving real-time decision-making on job sites that are always changing
✅ Building a job site culture where workers are empowered — not micromanaged
✅ Improving communication between leadership and the front line

That’s where the OODA loop — Observe, Orient, Decide, Act — comes in. Originally designed for fighter pilots in life-or-death combat, this mental model helps leaders and crews think faster and act smarter — without sacrificing safety.

My guest today is Stokes McIntyre, CEO of MindForge, who brings a unique background in both film production and construction technology. Stokes is passionate about helping construction leaders apply OODA loop thinking to close the field-office communication gap and create job sites where safety and speed reinforce each other — not compete.

RESOURCES

Website - mindforgeapp.com  

LinkedIn Handle - linkedin.com/in/stokesmcintyre/ 

Insta -  instagram.com/mindforgellc/  

X - x.com/MindForge  

Facebook - facebook.com/mindforgeinc 

Company LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/mindforgellc 

Restaurant Recommendation - giuseppesritrovo.com/

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 at major high-tech companies like Apple, Hewlett-Packard, and Motorola. About a decade ago, he started applying lessons about materials and logistics from high-tech industries to the world of construction. He became the CEO of Slate Technologies after initially working with them as a customer. He joined us today to talk about how AI is redefining the possibilities in construction by enhancing safety, minimizing delays, and unlocking the importance of hidden data.

HIGHLIGHTS

[01:29] Trevor’s background in the construction industry. 

[03:13] Cultural differences at HP, Motorola, and Apple. 

[07:23] The potential of off-site construction and supply chain innovation. 

[09:11] AI’s role in safety, progress reporting, and linking data in construction. 

[13:18] The importance of data quality for AI implementation. 

[17:31] Automatic insights and solutions.

[18:56] Perona-based AI tools. 

[22:11] The benefits of adapting to user perspectives. 

[25:50] AI’s impact on pre-construction and scheduling. 

[29:22] The importance of AI in centralizing data, reducing time spent, and project estimations.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Explore off-site construction and speed up project timelines.

2. Use AI-powered cameras to proactively identify on-site safety risks. 

3. Provide clean, structured data to ensure your AI tools deliver accurate insights.

4. Capture and apply lessons learned from past projects using AI. 

5. Use human feedback to train and improve AI’s problem-solving over time. 

6. Encourage your team to see AI as a collaborative partner, not a tool. 

RESOURCES

Connect with Trevor Schick

LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/trevor-schick-97620b9/ 

Wensite - slate.ai 

YouTube - youtube.com/@SlateTechnologies 

Restaurant Recommendation - jeffreysofaustin.com/ 

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!

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 and creating spaces where vulnerability is welcomed. 

Through practical initiatives like wellness zones, mandatory fatigue days, and leadership modeling, Dan advocates for a cultural shift in the industry. His message is clear: mental health matters and proactive support can save lives and improve job performance!

HIGHLIGHTS

[03:22] Mental Health Awareness in Construction 

[10:58] Impact of Mental Health on Job Performance 

[15:15] Effective Communication and Support 

[36:36] Leadership and Cultural Change 

[44:51] Practical Steps for Companies

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Be vocal and visible about mental health—leaders should model openness and vulnerability.

2. Set up wellness zones and encourage psychological safety on job sites.

3. Promote tools like Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), Man Therapy, and the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention.

4. To raise awareness, offer training sessions, job site tours, and mental health presentations.

5. Confidentially support and follow up with individuals who seek help—build a culture of trust and care.

RESOURCES

Connect with Dan Lester:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danflester/

Website: claycorp.com/

Clayco’s Report on Mental Health: https://claycorp.com/latest/breaking-the-silence-mental-health-and-support-issues-in-the-construction-industry

https://PreventConstructionSuicide.com

https://ManTherapy.org

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!

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: https://10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me/

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 partner of choice. The shift from estimation to strategic selling is essential in contexts where relationships, consistency, and confidence are important. Success comes with recognizing the right moments to connect with decision-makers, tapping into your team’s capabilities, and advocating for what you need with confidence, proving that you possess qualities beyond just being a contractor but a trusted partner who brings solutions and lasting value to the table.  

In this week’s solo episode, Eric explains how to win negotiated projects without competing on price. From overcoming the reluctance to call to prospecting expertly, leveraging team selling, and conquering reciprocal exchange, Eric breaks down the behaviors and mindset shifts that make high-performing builders stand out. Join Eric if you are ready to start winning work by leading with value, confidence, and connection. 

HIGHLIGHTS

[01:53] Prospecting and closing in construction.

[03:18] Overcoming the reluctance to call. 

[05:11] Alignment, commitment, and consistent effort.

[08:05] Dealing with ghosting in sales. 

[12:22] Proactive vs. reactive approach in sales. 

[15:05] The psychology of reciprocity. 

[17:00] Actionable steps to improve the sales experience. 

What You’ll Learn:

• Why price isn’t the reason you’re losing negotiated bids

• The 5 critical sales behaviors every construction professional must master

• How to overcome call reluctance and become a proactive prospector

• The power of quid pro quo and the psychology of reciprocation

• Why “Kings talk to Kings” is a sales mindset game-changer 

• How to align your internal team for effective, team-based selling
  

RESOURCES

Construction Genius Book (Chapters 11 & 12 on Sales & Marketing): https://a.co/d/hNZ3sxV

Schedule a quick call with Eric and discover how he can help you sell successfully: https://10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me/

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!