The Leadership Challenge Every New Field Leader Needs
Stepping into a leadership role can be overwhelming, especially for those who haven't had formal leadership training. In this episode of Construction Trailblazers, we explore the essential skills that set successful field leaders apart. Leadership isn’t just about knowing the technical side of the job—it’s about building relationships, advocating for yourself, and creating a culture of trust and accountability.
Key Takeaways
The Power of Connection: A strong leader doesn’t just give orders—they build relationships. Taking a few minutes each day to genuinely connect with team members can make a significant difference. Learning names, understanding motivations, and showing genuine interest in others fosters trust and strengthens workplace culture.
Advocating for Your Contributions: Hard work alone doesn’t guarantee recognition. Leaders at all levels should develop the habit of communicating their achievements in a factual, professional way. Instead of self-promotion, this is about ensuring efforts are seen and valued, opening doors for growth and new opportunities.
Listening Over Speaking: One of the most overlooked leadership skills is active listening. Encouraging team members to think critically and come up with solutions, rather than simply providing answers, empowers them to take ownership and develop problem-solving skills. Asking thoughtful questions and making space for others to contribute leads to a stronger, more engaged team.
Balancing Social and Technical Skills: The construction industry often prioritizes technical expertise, but leadership requires a balance. Investing in communication, collaboration, and emotional intelligence can be just as important as mastering the job itself.
These insights aren’t always easy to implement, but they can transform the way leaders operate and the success they experience.
Listen to the full episode here: https://constructiontrailblazers.com/episodes/32-depth-over-directives-the-leadership-shift-you-need-to-make-with-jesse-hernandez
Check out Jesse’s training and coaching here. https://www.depthbuilder.com/a/2147989944/oEvyaJQ2