Construction Genius

Most leadership discussions avoid the most uncomfortable question: 👉 What actually makes a leader good? In this episode, I sit down with Father Daniel Brandenburg, author of Leader Like No Other: What Secular Leadership Models Reveal About Jesus, a book that flips the usual leadership conversation on its head. After completing a doctorate in leadership, Daniel realized something startling: Jesus, arguably the most influential leader in history, is almost completely absent from modern leadership theory. So he took ten major secular leadership paradigms and compared them directly with Jesus' actions, decisions, and interactions. This conversation isn't theological. It's intensely practical. We explore how moral judgment, purpose, discipline, and organizational structure shape your company's ability to perform, grow, and stay healthy. And we tie every concept back to real-world behavior, decisions, and consequences inside construction organizations. Learn More About Daniel Brandenburg LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/fr-daniel-brandenburg-lc-89109921/ Website - frdanielbrandenburg.com/ Leader Like No Other: What Secular Leadership Models Reveal About Jesus Paperback by Fr. Daniel Brandenburg amazon.com/Leader-Like-No-Other-Leadership/dp/B0DYJJBKMD

In Part 2 of our WIP Mastery Series, CPA Kathe Barrington returns to show contractors how to use the WIP as a strategic decision-making tool. We dig into the three numbers every owner must check first, how underbilling reveals deeper project or client issues, and how the WIP exposes PM discipline long before problems hit the P&L. Kathe also walks through backlog planning, bid strategy, indirect cost allocation, and how to spot margin fade before it becomes expensive. If you want the financial clarity to run your company proactively—not reactively—this episode is essential. Learn more about Kathe: Website: https://www.kbcpa.biz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathe-barrington-a6346337/

Construction BD expert Ken Harms joins me to break down the rise of the Doer–Seller model — a relationship-driven approach where project managers and superintendents help win work by serving clients, asking better questions, and building long-term trust. We unpack how owners' expectations have shifted, why the rainmaker era is over, how to train introverted technical pros to engage confidently, and why firms that ignore this model will be trapped in low-bid work. If you want more negotiated work, more repeat clients, and teams who know how to build trust on and off the job, this episode delivers the roadmap. Ken's links:Website: www.kenharms.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kenneth-harms-12b56629/

Most contractors think they understand their WIP reports—but few actually use them to stop hidden job losses. CPA Kathe Barrington joins Eric Anderton to explain how to simplify your WIP, prevent fake profits, and keep your cash and bonding capacity intact. You'll discover: • Why bad budgets destroy profits • How percent-complete accounting really works • How PMs and accountants can finally get on the same page Connect with Kathe Barrington 🌐 Website: https://www.kbcpa.biz 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathe-barrington-a6346337/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Kathe-Barrington-CPA/100072271041746/ 👉 More from Construction Genius 📘 Get the book Construction Genius: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/ 🧠 Learn about The Shift: Construction Leadership Course

In this engaging conversation, George Pesansky, a business process improvement specialist and author of Superperformance, discusses how to transform hero culture into scalable systems. He emphasizes the importance of timely communication, detailing effective strategies for bad-news reporting. George introduces the What–Why–How framework to aid in defining outcomes and clarifying priorities. He also explores root causes of success, the Four M's for analyzing challenges, and the concept of the Golden Hour for standardizing wins, offering practical insights for leaders ready to foster sustainable growth.

Most construction companies treat their website like a digital brochure. Big mistake. Rob Murray from Intrigue Media joins Eric to explain why even $50M buyers do Google contractors—and how a smart, strategic website builds trust and drives real opportunities. You'll learn how to position your company vertically or horizontally, speak to multiple buyer types, and use short, authentic testimonials that convert. Rob also shares a simple spreadsheet exercise that exposes your most profitable niche—and how to use client interviews to rewrite your homepage in their words. Turn your website into a growth engine today. Visit intriguemedia.com Learn more at constructiongenius.comToronto tip from Rob: grab dinner at the CN Tower—the view's unbeatable. 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 this episode, Eric Anderton breaks down findings from FMI's Q4 2025 Construction Outlook and the CIRT Q3 2025 Sentiment Index, revealing how 130 construction CEOs are preparing for a selective, profit-focused market. Learn why the flight to quality is reshaping bidding strategy, how firms are earning more by doing less, and what it takes to ride the 2026 infrastructure and tax-credit wave. 📚 Resources FMI Q4 2025 Construction Outlook CIRT Q3 2025 Sentiment Index 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!

Huw Roberts, CEO of PMWeb and former architect, shares insights from managing billion-dollar projects like JPMorgan Chase's tower. He discusses how contractors can transition from commodity pricing to strategic partnerships by focusing on long-term trust and collaboration. Huw emphasizes the importance of life-cycle contracts for better decision-making and advises on avoiding common communication pitfalls that can damage owner relationships. Also, he explores the role of AI as an advisory tool rather than a decision-maker, enhancing project management while ensuring human oversight.

Think federal contracting is too complex or risky? Think again. In this episode, Doug and Sean Reitmeyer of GCExperts reveal how to break into the federal market with nothing more than a SAM registration—and why it's one of the fairest, most cash-flow-friendly opportunities in construction. You'll learn how to avoid rookie mistakes, get paid in 14–30 days under the Federal Prompt Payment Act, and build credibility fast. With over a billion dollars in federal work under their belts, Doug and Sean know the game inside and out. Learn more at GCExperts.com Visiting Austin? Check out The Oasis and Steiner Ranch Steakhouse Grab my book Construction Genius . 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!

Mark Whitson started at DPR with tools in hand, fresh out of college. Today, he's president of one of America's most respected construction companies. His journey reveals why DPR keeps top talent for decades while other companies struggle with turnover. Key insights: Career paths aren't ladders—they're rock walls requiring lateral moves and creative problem-solving. Culture survives when everyone owns it, not just leadership. The best stretch opportunities come with clear success criteria and strong internal coaching. Whitson's leadership philosophy: helping others turn the perceived impossible into possible. His advice for retention? Empower people to walk away from projects that don't align with company values. Connect with Mark and DPR: Visit DPR Construction to learn more about their innovative approach to building. And if you're ever near Pinehurst, North Carolina, check out Mark's golf course recommendation: Tobacco Road Golf Club – challenging, beautiful, and worth the trip. 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!