499 :: Performance Reviews Are Broken In Construction—Here's How to Avoid Demoralizing and Confusing Your Talent

Are your year-end performance reviews actually motivating your team—or does it feel like (to you and/or them?) you're all just checking a box?

In construction, where time is money and field leaders are already stretched thin, performance reviews often feel like administrative burdens instead of leadership tools that motivate your team and accelerate performance into a new year.

But what if these meetings were more than bureaucratic necessities from HR? What if they could drive motivation, retention, and clarity heading into the new year?

In this episode, you will:

• Learn how to turn your year-end reviews into real conversations that energize employees
• Get two proven templates that bring clarity, structure, and fairness to your evaluations
• Discover the hidden leadership opportunities most construction execs miss during reviews

Listen now to learn how to lead year-end performance reviews that boost morale, improve retention, and make you a more effective construction leader.

Below are links to the two articles mentioned along with a PDF download of the tool we use at Hartmann & Co.

How to Create Your Own "Year in Review"
by Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis

Research: Performance Reviews That Actually Motivate Employees

by Joonyoung Kim and Emily Zitek

BH&Co GAPP Model: Download here

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, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.

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.

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If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together.

If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

Is your annual strategic plan snapped shut in some binder, just collecting dust by February?

If you're a construction leader frustrated with planning sessions that feel good in the moment but lead nowhere, you're not alone. This episode tackles why traditional strategy frameworks often fail to deliver results—and offers a tested alternative you can use with your own team before the year kicks off.

In this episode you will:

• Learn a simple but powerful 3x100-day planning system that keeps your team focused all year long
• Discover how to link lead measures directly to your revenue goals without drowning in data
• Get a behind-the-scenes look at a fully transparent, high-engagement strategic session that any team can replicate

Listen now to discover how to transform your 2026 planning process into a leadership tool that drives clarity, accountability, and momentum.

Click here to download the PDF template.

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, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.

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.

***

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together.

If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

Is your push for excellence quietly burning out your best people?

Many construction leaders default to "pacesetting"—leading by example, demanding speed, and expecting others to keep up. But according to leadership expert Daniel Goleman, this style may be crushing team morale, lowering performance, and increasing turnover—especially when overused.

In this episode you will:

• Learn the 6 proven leadership styles outlined in Goleman's HBR article—and how they apply to construction.
• Understand why pacesetting, though well-intentioned, often leads to burnout and disengagement.
• Discover how to flex your leadership style to drive accountability, morale, and long-term results on every project.

Listen now to uncover which leadership style your team really needs—and how to lead with clarity, confidence, and lasting impact.

Click here to download Goleman's 6 Leadership Styles.

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, these conversations will equip you with tools to lead smarter and build stronger teams.

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.

***

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together.

If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.