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The Construction Leadership Podcast: Executive Strategies to Build Elite Teams & Consistently Deliver On-Time, Under BudgetAuthor: Bradley Hartmann
Are you spending more time solving problems than actually leading in your construction business? The Construction Leadership Podcast helps executives build high-performing teams, finish on time and under budgetwithout all the firefighting and babysittingso you can lead with clarity, consistency, and control. Hosted by Bradley Hartmannauthor of 15 books for the construction industry who teaches leadership in the University of Oklahoma's Master's program for construction professionalseach episode delivers real-world lessons for real-world builders. You'll learn how to: Lead change with less resistance using field-tested strategies that increase engagement Build a culture of accountabilitywithout micromanaging or constant confrontation Eliminate confusion with mental models and tools that drive confident execution New episodes drop every Tuesday and Thursday. Ready to jump in? Start with episode 470: The Glock 17, a Billionaire, and the Leadership Lesson That Will Transform Your Team's Change Management. It's a listener favorite and will shift how you lead through resistance. Language: en Genres: Business, Management Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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509 :: The Barnes & Noble Paradox: Why Old-School Leadership Is Winning in Construction Despite the Age of AI
Thursday, 5 February, 2026
Construction leaders are being told—daily—that AI, automation, dashboards, and optimization are the future. But what if the very things we're rushing to automate are the things that actually make leadership work? In this episode, Bradley Hartmann explores a surprising case study: the resurgence of Barnes & Noble, a 140-year-old, paper-and-ink business thriving in the age of AI and Amazon. Using the Barnes & Noble turnaround as a lens, this episode breaks down two leadership capabilities AI will never replicate—and why they matter more than ever in construction: Being a genuine fan of the work, the customer, and the people doing the work Taste and human judgment—knowing what matters, what doesn't, and when timing matters more than data. This isn't a story about books. It's a story about leadership, accountability, and change in old, complex industries—just like construction. This episode will help you: Identify where your organization may be over-centralized or over-optimized Reclaim leadership leverage that no software can replace Make better decisions about what to abandon, not just what to add Lead change without losing trust, judgment, or accountability You'll walk away with a clearer lens on what great construction leadership actually requires in the age of AI. If Barnes & Noble can come back by falling back in love with books, imagine what could happen in construction if leaders fell back in love with building—and the people who make it happen. https://www.honest-broker.com/p/what-can-we-learn-from-barnes-and https://substack.com/@tedgioia At Bradley Hartmann & Company, we help construction teams improve sales, leadership, and communication by reducing miscommunication, strengthening teamwork, and bridging language gaps between English and Spanish speakers. To learn more about our product offerings, visit bradleyhartmannandco.com. The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems—whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization. Have topic ideas or guest recommendations? Contact us at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com. New podcasts are dropped every Tuesday and Thursday. This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.
