Overview

In this episode, Dan breaks down a challenge every manager and trades leader faces: when to coach and when to discipline your team members. Making the wrong call can hurt morale, slow productivity, and make your shop feel chaotic—but done right, it builds trust and keeps your team motivated. He dives into practical strategies for spotting the signs that a team member needs guidance versus correction, shares real-world examples from the field, and explains how to have tough conversations without damaging relationships. By the end, you’ll have a clear framework for leading with confidence, clarity, and fairness so your team can thrive and your business can grow.

Discussions:

1. Look at the pattern, not the one-off – Identify whether a mistake is a single slip or a recurring problem to decide your approach.

2. Determine the root cause – Is it a skill gap, misunderstanding, or attitude problem? Coaching is best for knowledge gaps; discipline is necessary for repeated negligence or disrespect.

3. Act promptly but fairly – Address issues close to the behavior. Give immediate feedback when coaching, and be clear, factual, and consistent when disciplining.

Remember, leadership in the trades isn’t just about telling people what to do—it’s about knowing when to guide, when to correct, and how to build a team that trusts you. By mastering the balance between coaching and discipline, you create a culture where your team can grow, perform, and stick around. Apply these principles consistently, and you’ll see your shop run smoother, your team stay motivated, and your leadership truly make an impact.

Keep leading with impact—and I’ll see you next time.

Free Coaching Call:
Looking to dive deeper into your leadership journey? Schedule a free 30-minute coaching session with me at https://link.builtforthetrades.com/widget/booking/qetDwdbwknifZZLUGwwp

👉 Subscribe for more leadership and business tips!
https://www.youtube.com/@builtforthetrades

Overview

In this episode of the Built for the Trades podcast, we dive into how competition can either energize or divide your team. Healthy competition can boost performance, spark creativity, and strengthen teamwork—but handled the wrong way, it can create tension, resentment, and unnecessary drama in the shop. We break down practical strategies to keep competition positive and productive for everyone on your team.

Discussions

1. Focus on Team Goals: Encourage collaboration by rewarding overall team success, not just individual wins.
2. Make It Transparent and Fair: Use clear rules, visible metrics, and rotating challenges to give everyone a fair chance to shine.
3. Celebrate Effort and Improvement: Recognize progress, teamwork, and personal growth, not just who comes in first.

When done right, healthy competition motivates, builds cohesion, and keeps morale high. Remember, resetting expectations doesn’t have to be a fight. If you handle this process well—with clarity and self-ownership—it actually builds more trust and gets everyone rowing in the same direction. So, help us bring this vital message to more trades business owners by subscribing right now! And if you're ready to take the next leadership step, book a free call with us. Until next time, keep leading well and keep building something that lasts. Keep leading with impact—and I’ll see you next time.

Keep leading with impact—and I’ll see you next time.

Free Coaching Call:
Looking to dive deeper into your leadership journey? Schedule a free 30-minute coaching session with me at https://link.builtforthetrades.com/widget/booking/qetDwdbwknifZZLUGwwp

👉 Subscribe for more leadership and business tips!
https://www.youtube.com/@builtforthetrades

Overview

This episode of the Built for the Trades podcast dives into a topic every leader has wrestled with: resetting expectations without unnecessary conflict. We explore the painful truth that sometimes the problem isn't the team's delivery, but the leader's clarity. Dan gives you three practical, trust-building ways to hit the reset button, starting with self-ownership and ending with setting clear, respectful boundaries that turn "homework" into "teamwork."

Discussions

1. Own Your Part: To diffuse immediate tension and avoid conflict, leaders must first admit where they were unclear or made incorrect assumptions.
2. Reframe as a Shared Win: Expectations should be presented as a benefit to the team (like fewer callbacks) rather than just homework for the leader.
3. Set Clear Boundaries with Respect: Defining clear, respectful boundaries prevents expectations from slipping and creates long-term safety and clarity for the team.

Remember, resetting expectations doesn't have to be a fight. If you handle this process well—with clarity and self-ownership—it actually builds more trust and gets everyone rowing in the same direction. So, help us bring this vital message to more trades business owners by subscribing right now! And if you're ready to take the next leadership step, book a free call with us. Until next time, keep leading well and keep building something that lasts.

Keep leading with impact—and I’ll see you next time.

Free Coaching Call:
Looking to dive deeper into your leadership journey? Schedule a free 30-minute coaching session with me at https://link.builtforthetrades.com/widget/booking/qetDwdbwknifZZLUGwwp

👉 Subscribe for more leadership and business tips!
https://www.youtube.com/@builtforthetrades