Afleveringen
-
The trades have often been seen as a fallback rather than a first-choice career. But what if we challenged that narrative and recognized the skilled trades as a vital, dignified profession with immense opportunity? James Faulkner, President and Founder of Site Max Systems, brings decades of experience bridging technology and the trades to shed light on how we can elevate the workforce from within. His passion for creating environments where every worker feels respected and empowered makes him a leading voice in the industryâs transformation.
James understands the unique challenges faced by tradespeopleâmany enter the field as a Plan B or C, influenced by family history and societal perceptions. Yet, he believes that with the right leadership and support, these workers can find meaning, growth, and pride in their careers. His work at Site Max Systems focuses on empowering field crews with tools and programs that help them dream bigger and achieve more.
In this episode of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin and James dive into the realities and opportunities of todayâs trades workforce. They discuss how parental perceptions shape career choices, why rebranding the trades is critical, and how leaders can connect with what truly motivates their teams. Listeners will gain pointers on fostering pride, supporting personal growth, and redefining success beyond passion alone.
Whether youâre a leader in construction or any trades-based business, this conversation offers fresh perspectives and practical strategies to build stronger, more engaged teams and better projects.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Connect with James Faulkner on LinkedIn Find out more about SiteMax Systems Episode 197: Smart Tech for Team Retention and Talent Growth with Tim Sackett Team Retention Program Connect with Traci Austin on LinkedIn Elevated Talent Consulting -
What if the issue isnât who youâre hiring, but what theyâre walking into?
That was the pivotal question Greg Brouwer asked himself when he took the reins of West Michigan Janitorial, overseeing a team of more than 200 employees and facing turnover rates nearing 200%. Instead of defaulting to reactive hiring or higher pay, Greg chose a different path... one centred on building belonging, not just bandwidth.
âWhat if we focused less on finding more people,â Greg asked, âand more on becoming a place worth staying in?â
Gregâs approach reframed leadership from task oversight to culture stewardship. He didnât just aim to run a more efficient cleaning company; he set out to create a values-driven workplace where dignity is the default, and retention is the byproduct of trust, structure, and care. Under his leadership, turnover has steadily declined below 85%, driven not by easier work but by a stronger culture.
In this powerful episode of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin sits down with Greg Brouwer, owner of West Michigan Janitorial, to unpack what it means to run a high-turnover business without a high-turnover mindset. They discuss the systems Gregâs team implemented to create stability, predictability, and trust, including an employee assistance fund, value-aligned hiring practices, and a structured onboarding experience that centers care and clarity. They also explore Gregâs long-term vision: a workplace where employees can connect their daily work to long-term dreams.
Whether you're grappling with retention or looking to future-proof your team, this conversation offers more than quick fixes. Itâs a blueprint for building a company people donât just work for; itâs about building a workplace people believe in.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Connect with Gregory Brouwer on LinkedIn Find out more about C12 Leadership West Michigan Janitorial Episode 172: Impact of Appreciation at Work with Dr. Paul White Team Retention Program Connect with Traci Austin on LinkedIn Elevated Talent Consulting -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
-
When you think about core values in your workplace, what comes to mind? A few words painted on the breakroom wall? A mission statement buried in an onboarding deck? For many organizations, especially in fast-paced, high-pressure industries like the trades, core values become background noise. But if you're leading a team, here's the uncomfortable truth: your culture isn't built by what you say you believe. It's built by what you tolerate. And if those values arenât actively guiding behavior, theyâre not valuesâtheyâre decoration. So, how do you make core values actually work? How do you turn them from empty statements into a foundation that builds trust, accountability, and long-term growth?
John Knowlton has spent years helping leaders get clear on what drives their teams. With a background as a United Methodist pastor and a business coach for trades and service companies, John understands that values arenât just about inspirationâtheyâre about alignment. According to him, culture is not defined by whatâs printed on your website. Itâs defined by behavior. And too often, leaders create unspoken double standards. High performers are rewardedâeven when their behavior undermines the team. Values are quoted in meetings but ignored on the jobsite. Over time, this erodes trust and breeds inconsistency.
When your team sees misalignment between whatâs said and whatâs done, they stop believing. And thatâs when turnover, burnout, and disengagement start to rise. But when core values are clear, consistent, and practiced daily? They become your most effective leadership tool.
In this episode of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin sits down with with leadership coach John Knowlton for a candid, practical conversation about how to bring core values to life, especially in trades-based businesses. Together, they unpack what it really means to operationalize core values in the everyday: from crafting interview questions that reveal alignment, to navigating difficult decisions when two values seem to conflict. They explore how to hold high performers accountable when their behavior clashes with team culture, and how to embed values into performance reviews, peer feedback, and daily communication. This episode offers more than just theoryâit provides actionable tools for leaders ready to stop reacting to culture and start shaping it. Because, as John says, âYour culture is happening whether you lead it or not."
Connect with John Knowlton on LinkedIn Find out more about C12 Leadership Episode 157: Second Chances in the Workplace with Michelle Cirocco -
If youâve ever inherited more than a businessâlike a legacy, a mission, or a responsibility that feels deeply personalâthis episode will resonate. For trades entrepreneur Craig Lenard, taking over Art Lenard & Sons wasnât just about business continuity. It was about honouring a foundation while building something stronger on top.
When his mother was diagnosed with cancer and both parents stepped away from the company, Craig returnedânot as the same man, but as a builder shaped by experience, reflection, and purpose. Once a teacher, now a systems-minded leader, Craig brought fresh eyes and a deeper calling: to create a company that would not only survive adversity but evolve because of it.
In this episode of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin sits down with Craig Lenard to explore how a personal crisis became a strategic turning point. What began with his wifeâs mold illness evolved into a full reimagination of what it means to build homes, teams, and cultures. With a steady focus on systems, clarity, and service, Craig shares how he's reframed growth not as a race, but as a responsibility.
-
If you've ever led a business that looked impressive on paper but felt like it was quietly eroding your well-being behind the scenes, this episode will meet you exactly where you are. Many trades entrepreneurs begin with a craft, not a company blueprint. They hustle hard, fueled by grit, only to find themselves imprisoned by the very business they builtâexhausted, reactive, and disconnected from the purpose that sparked it all.
Thatâs the real story behind Richard Walshâs success... and collapse. After two decades running a nationally recognized, award-winning water feature company, Richard watched it all vanish in the 2008 housing crash. No systems. No contingency. No margin for error. But in the ruins, he discovered a deeper truth: the business wasnât what defined him. And his rebuild would look radically different, grounded in systems, sustainability, and human-first leadership.
In this episode of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin sits down with Richard Walsh, CEO of Sharpen the Spear Coaching, to explore how he redefined what âsuccessâ means and how he now equips trades leaders to design businesses that serve their lives, not consume them. From his book Escape the Owner Prison to real-world frameworks that prioritize freedom and purpose, this is a candid conversation for leaders ready to reclaim control.
-
In the trades, itâs not the perks that define cultureâitâs how your people show up when things get hard. On job sites, in tight deadlines, across five generationsâreal culture is built through clarity, trust, and showing up every day. And that doesnât happen by accident.
Too often, trade businesses measure success in activity: 500 calls made, back-to-back shifts worked, 100 tasks checked off. But when output becomes the goal, people burn out, trust breaks down, and culture becomes just another line in the handbook.
In this episode of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin talks with Paul McCarthy, business development leader at Hero Facility Services, about how to build a strong culture that actually supports your people, especially in field-based, fast-moving environments. Real culture gets built one deposit of trust at a time. Paul shares insights from decades of experience across operations, hospitality, and business developmentâplus a clear-eyed philosophy on what he calls the âpsychology of the heart.â
They dig into how to know whether someone is truly aligned with the team, what to do when your gut says no but the resume says yes, and how to structure tough conversations that buildânot breakârelationships. This is an episode about seeing your people, naming your values, and leading with presence. In Paulâs words, itâs not just about the saleâitâs about changing one personâs life every day.
If youâre serious about growing your business and keeping good people, youâll want to hear this.
-
If your communication strategy only works for half your crew, it's not a strategyâit's a risk. And in the trades, that risk doesnât just affect productivityâit affects safety, morale, and retention.
Todayâs job sites are made up of multiple generations working side by side, each with their own preferences, assumptions, and expectations around communication. You've got Boomers printing out emails, Gen Xers living by their calendars, Millennials juggling inboxes and Slack messages, and Gen Zers who'd prefer a quick text over a long meeting. When leaders fail to adapt their communication styles to meet their people where they are, messages get lost, accountability slips, and trust erodes.
We see this breakdown most often when companies introduce new tools or systemsâlike that HRIS app everyoneâs supposed to download but no one knows how to use. Without proper guidance, the disconnect between intention and execution widens. What starts as a missed message becomes a safety issue. A dropped thread turns into a missed deadline. And an overwhelmed employeeâwho might have thrived with a little extra supportâbecomes your next resignation.
In this episode of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin sits down with Dawn Hart, HR leader at Center Phase Energy and founder of Manage with Hart, to unpack the nuances of generational communication in the trades. Dawn brings more than three decades of HR experience across construction, utilities, and finance, along with sharp humor and clear-eyed leadership advice. Traci also introduces a concept called the Tough Talk Auditâa framework for leaders to address misalignment before it becomes a retention issue.
Whether youâre rolling out new systems, running storm crews, or simply trying to get your team on the same page, this episode offers the clarity and empathy leaders need to create communication strategies that work for everyone.
-
Culture, Coaching & Core Values: How Highfill Retains Talent Through Purpose
Forget ping-pong tables and pay raisesâthis is what actual retention looks like.
In this episode of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin sits down with Ray Cox, Co-founder and Senior VP of Marketing at Highfill Infrastructure Engineering, for a powerful conversation on what it means to build a people-first company in a technical world.
Highfill didnât avoid the storm of COVID-19. Like many in the trades, they were hit hard. But instead of defaulting to quick fixes or chasing trends, they doubled down on what mattered most: culture, trust, and long-term development.
This episode pulls back the curtain on how Highfill rebuilt itself stronger by investing in relationships, not just resources. Ray breaks down how they've embedded coaching into their DNA, created career paths grounded in purposeânot pressureâand fostered a culture where people know they belong.
If youâve ever struggled with turnover, disengagement, or leading multi-generational teams, this conversation will reframe whatâs possible. Itâs not about surface-level perks. Itâs about leading with values and being bold enough to follow through.
This is culture done rightânot as a corporate clichĂ© but as a competitive edge.
-
If youâre constantly hiring but still coming up short, the issue might not be the labour market. It might be something deeperâa generational disconnect thatâs quietly eroding trust, productivity, and retention.
In todayâs trades workplaces, itâs common to see four generations working side by side. Youâve got veteran employees whoâve built the companyâs foundation and younger workers who bring new skills and expectations to the table. When leaders donât know how to bridge those differences, communication suffers, accountability slips, and your best people start walking out the door.
We see this play out all the timeâespecially in companies that promote top performers into leadership roles without giving them the tools to lead a multi-generational team. Thatâs where culture either grows stronger or starts to fracture.
In this episode of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin sits with Kamber Parker Bowden, founder of Generational Performance Solutions, to talk about what trade organizations can do differently. Kamber brings hard-earned insight from over 5,000 interviews across 65+ industriesâoffering clear, actionable steps for creating a workplace where every generation feels seen, respected, and committed to the work.
This is a conversation about leadership in the real worldâmessy, human, and worth getting right.
-
Most new hires donât fail because theyâre unskilled. They fail because theyâre unsureâand no one showed them how to build confidence on the job.
In the trades, technical ability is just the starting line. What determines long-term success is how leaders coach employees through the messy, uncertain moments of âfirsts.â
In this recast episode, Traci Austin reveals the four coaching styles she sees most oftenâand how each one shapes a new hireâs experience. From setting clear expectations to coaching through first-time failures, this episode offers a blueprint for leaders who want to grow confident, capable teams that stay.
Because in todayâs labor market, keeping good people isnât just about hiring well. Itâs about coaching well.
-
New hires in the trades donât just need a paycheckâthey need a reason to stay.
First impressions matter, and a lack of communication between the offer letter and day one can send the wrong message. Without an intentional preboarding and onboarding process, you risk high turnover, wasted training, and disengaged workers who walk off the job before they ever really start.
In this episode, Traci Austin reveals how trade industry leaders can overhaul their onboarding approach to improve retention and team performance. From engaging the entire crew to eliminating first-day roadblocks, Traci shares proven strategies to set new hires up for success and keep them on the team for the long haul.
-
Ignoring mental health in the trades isn't just costlyâitâs dangerous.
Stress, burnout, and unspoken struggles impact retention, decision-making, and job-site safety. Yet, mental health remains an overlooked part of workplace safety programs.
In this episode, Bruce Morton, a 20-year safety expert and founder of the Wisconsin Construction Wellness Community, shares how companies in the trades can make mental health a core part of their safety strategyâwithout overcomplicating it.
From reducing stigma to training leaders and leveraging mentorship, Bruce offers practical, no-nonsense strategies to improve employee well-being, increase retention, and create a safer, more engaged workforce.
-
How Mentorship Builds Stronger Trades Teams & Reduces Turnover
Hiring is hard. Losing good people is even harder.
So how do you keep top tradespeople engaged, growing, and loyal to your company? The answer isnât just better payâitâs mentorship.
In this recast episode, Traci Austin breaks down how mentorship in the trades isnât just a ânice-to-haveâ but a critical retention strategy. From on-the-job coaching to apprenticeship programs, she shares how to build a mentorship culture that develops leaders from within, closes skill gaps, and keeps employees from walking out the door.
If youâre struggling with turnover or looking to strengthen your leadership pipeline, this episode is a must-listen.
-
From Revolving Door to Retention: The Hiring Fix That Worked
Most companies hire fast and regret it later. Mid-States Concrete changed their approachâand their team has never been stronger.
In this episode, Sam Kloppmann, HR leader at Mid-States Concrete Industries, shares how his team cut turnover, strengthened culture, and built a hiring process that actually works.
Instead of filling roles just to keep up, Mid-States dug into the data, slowed down hiring, and started hiring for long-term success. The result? A stronger workforce, better retention, and a leadership pipeline thatâs built to last.
If youâre stuck in a cycle of hiring and losing workersâor just want a proven strategy to attract and keep the right peopleâthis episode is for you.
-
Marliz Briano, Operations Manager at Cydcor, began her journey with the company six years ago as part of the compliance team. In this role, she oversaw agent onboarding and ensured ongoing regulatory compliance for representatives. As her responsibilities expanded, she transitioned into a leadership role, merging compliance with the service desk team to create a unified department focused on both compliance and operational support.
In this episodeâŠMarliz Briano, Operations Manager at Cydcor, shares how curiosity shaped her leadership journey. She opens up about the challenges of shifting from a hands-on doer to a leader who empowers othersâand why that transition is harder than most people expect. We also dive into the power of hiring for culture fit, how a strong team environment fuels growth, and what it really means to live out a companyâs vision instead of just talking about it.
Great leadership isnât about knowing everythingâitâs about being open to learning, adapting, and growing alongside your team. If youâve ever struggled with stepping back, trusting your people, or figuring out how to create a culture where curiosity thrives, this episode is for you.
Sponsor for this episodeâŠThe People Strategy Podcast is proudly sponsored by the Leadership Development Program from Elevated Talent Consulting.
Are you supporting leaders who are new to people management? Transitioning into a leadership role requires more than just technical expertiseâitâs about mastering time management, delegation, coaching, accountability, and change management.
This program empowers emerging leaders to develop their own leadership style while gaining the skills needed to lead with confidence. Partner with us to build stronger, more effective leaders.
Learn more and sign up today!
-
Vera Quinn is the CEO and President of Cydcor, a global provider of outsourced sales. In her role, sheâs grown revenue by more than 35% and led the companyâs retail and omnichannel expansion. Vera began her career in door-to-door sales and joined Cydcor over 25 years ago, serving in various roles, including Senior Vice President, Director of Operations, and COO.
In this episodeâŠWhen growing leaders, organizations must foster an environment where individuals can reach their utmost potential. Leadership programs often focus on technical skills rather than the personal growth necessary to inspire and guide others. How can organizations create a culture that fosters leadership from within?
Authentic leader Vera Quinn says that leadership is an internal endeavor that begins with self-awareness and authenticity. She emphasizes the importance of developing personal strengths before leading others, identifying talent within the organization, and implementing structured development plans. Vera believes that organizations thrive when they cultivate a culture of belief and support, helping employees step into leadership roles with confidence. By aligning leadership development with core values and continuous improvement, businesses can create lasting results.
In the latest episode of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin invites Vera Quinn, the CEO and President of Cydcor, to talk about authentic leadership development. Vera shares team reflection exercises to learn from failure, how to become passionate about your role, and how to grow employees through focused people strategies.
Sponsor for this episodeâŠThe Leadership Development Program isnât just about theory â itâs about tangible results.
Imagine understanding how you tick and its impact on how you lead. In our last cohort, participants realized they were leading others the way they needed to be led instead of how their team members needed to be led. This increased understanding and trust within the team resulted in a better work product.
The leadership program offers tailored training covering topics like employee engagement and accountability. Through this course, you will learn and practice ways to build trust with your team and organizational leaders.
Achieving personal and professional goals yields positive results! This program is your opportunity for new leadership to learn and practice the style of leadership that drives organizational success.
Learn more and sign up today!
-
Hannah McKitrick is the Founder and CEO of My Intuitive Health, which helps corporate leaders transform employee wellness through luxury culinary wellness retreats and mind-body cooking programs. She is also a Chapter President at The Dames, LLC, which empowers women managing six- and seven-figure businesses to scale through events and membership communities. As a board-certified holistic nutritionist, Hannah uses food, connection, and embodiment to inspire vibrancy, fulfillment, and alignment among organizations and teams.
In this episodeâŠWorkplace fulfillment is often overlooked in favor of productivity metrics, leading to disengagement and burnout. Leaders who prioritize efficiency over employee well-being may find their teams lacking motivation and creativity. How can leaders integrate joy into the workplace to promote engagement and fulfillment?
According to leadership and wellness expert Hannah McKitrick, creating a fulfilling work environment begins with personal joy. Leaders who intentionally incorporate activities that bring them happiness â such as mindful breaks, meaningful conversations, or creative outlets â set a positive example for their teams. Hannah recommends starting each day with a reflection on small actions that can uplift personal energy, emphasizing that joy is contagious and can transform workplace culture. Encouraging team-building activities, such as culinary wellness retreats or virtual cooking experiences, can foster connection and inspiration within teams, driving both professional and personal growth.
In episode 200 of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin welcomes Hannah McKitrick, the Founder and CEO of My Intuitive Health, to discuss how leaders can infuse joy into their daily routines and organizational culture. Hannah talks about her upcoming culinary leadership retreat with Traci, how to combine personal and professional fulfillment, and her key leadership strengths.
Sponsor for this episodeâŠThis episode is brought to you by Elevated Talent Consulting, a leading provider of comprehensive talent management solutions.
Whether you're looking to optimize your recruitment process, enhance employee engagement, or develop effective leadership strategies, Elevated Talent Consulting has the expertise to level up your team.
Discover how they can transform your workforce at elevatedtalentconsulting.com.
-
David Murray is the Co-founder and CEO of Confirm, a performance management system that enables CEOs to increase capital efficiency. As a product designer, he began his career as a Product Manager at Google, where he received the Google Founders Award and EMG Award for his work on Gmail.
In this episodeâŠPerformance review metrics are often based on an arbitrary rating system that favors managersâ perceptions. This system focuses on numbers rather than employeesâ tangible impacts, so top-performing team members arenât recognized accordingly. How can leaders maximize employee performance reviews and recognition?
According to performance management optimizer David Murray, 15% of employees contribute to 50% of performance outcomes, while 5% create 50% of organizational challenges. Considering these statistics, David recommends developing a transparent performance management system in which managers set employee expectations about individual performance metrics. To identify high-performers, you can request feedback from each team member about who they go to for advice and who creates the most conflict. This can eliminate manager bias and ensure quiet contributors are recognized appropriately.
In this weekâs episode of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin hosts David Murray, the Co-founder and CEO of Confirm, to talk about improving organizationsâ performance management systems. David discusses his tool that measures individual impact, his research on team development and performance, and how identifying personal and professional goals enhances performance reviews.
Sponsor for this episodeâŠThe Leadership Development Program isnât just about theory â itâs about tangible results.
Imagine understanding how you tick and its impact on how you lead. In our last cohort, participants realized they were leading others the way they needed to be led instead of how their team members needed to be led. This increased understanding and trust within the team resulted in a better work product.
The leadership program offers tailored training covering topics like employee engagement and accountability. Through this course, you will learn and practice ways to build trust with your team and organizational leaders.
Achieving personal and professional goals yields positive results! This program is your opportunity for new leadership to learn and practice the style of leadership that drives organizational success.
Learn more and sign up today!
-
Philipp (Phil) Siegel is the Lead Product Manager at Maymont Homes, a full-service acquisition, renovation, and property management company. In his role, he drives customer-centric solutions using data-driven strategies. Before Maymont Homes, Phil held several leadership positions, including the Senior Technical Support Manager at Unanet and the Manager of Client Support Services at BrightEdge.
In this episodeâŠFirst-time leaders often direct their teams in ways that suit their personal styles and needs. However, leadersâ styles should support employee and organizational growth. How can you customize your leadership style to maximize results for the company?
Having managed teams in various software companies, Philipp (Phil) Siegel discovered the stark contrast between leading teams of two versus 15. When managing projects and people, one-on-one support and communication may not be practical for larger teams, so delegating tasks allows you to focus more on individual development. Effective leadership requires significant investments in your team, so Phil emphasizes balanced collaboration to move individuals forward within the organization.
In todayâs episode of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin talks with Philipp (Phil) Siegel, the Lead Product Manager at Maymont Homes, about aligning leadership with team behaviors. Phil describes the ideal leadership support for career development, how he navigates leadership without direct authority, and his perspective on AI for task delegation.
Sponsor for this episodeâŠIn todayâs competitive landscape, retaining top talent is more critical than ever. By investing in the Team Retention program, experienced managers will learn effective leadership strategies, recruitment approaches, and onboarding techniques that will set your team up for success. Imagine creating an empowering employee journey that supports growth and collaboration from day one.
Learn more and sign up for our Team Retention Program today!
Embark on this transformative journey. Together, we can drive meaningful change and achieve unparalleled success.
-
Tim Sackett is the President of HRU Technical Resources, an IT and engineering contract staffing firm. With over 20 years of experience in talent acquisition and HR, he worked as a staffing director, recruiter, and HR manager at companies, including Applebees, ShopKo Stores, and Pamida. Tim has been named a Top 10 Global HR Influencer.
In this episodeâŠThe rapid use of AI and other automated technology has created an epidemic of loneliness among employees. How can HR leaders leverage these tools to transform employee engagement and recruit new talent?
HR and talent executive Tim Sackett says rather than using AI solely to automate repetitive tasks, HR leaders can harness it to foster workplace relationships. This may involve having AI compile and summarize employee feedback or gather information about each individual to partner them with mentors or someone who complements their strengths. Tim also advises experimenting with recruitment tools like LinkedInâs Hiring Assistant to streamline the hiring process and develop a fair, non-biased recruitment system.
In this weekâs episode of The People Strategy Podcast, Traci Austin welcomes Tim Sackett, the President of HR Technical Resources, to chat about using technology to enhance team engagement and hiring. Tim shares how workplace relationships can foster personal and professional growth, his innovative solution to the talent crisis, and how AI can align team and organizational values.
Sponsor for this episodeâŠIn todayâs competitive landscape, retaining top talent is more critical than ever. By investing in the Team Retention program, experienced managers will learn effective leadership strategies, recruitment approaches, and onboarding techniques that will set your team up for success. Imagine creating an empowering employee journey that supports growth and collaboration from day one.
Learn more and sign up for our Team Retention Program today!
Embark on this transformative journey. Together, we can drive meaningful change and achieve unparalleled success.
- Laat meer zien
