Construction Trailblazers: Paving The Way to Excellence

In this episode, Samantha C. Prestidge shares insights from the show Hell's Kitchen that can be applied to building and managing successful teams. Lessons include the importance of pausing to reassess when things go south, demanding accountability, fostering team decision-making, avoiding ego-driven mistakes, and observing the traits of successful individuals. 02:26 Lesson 1: Pause and Reassess 03...

In this episode, host Samantha C. Prestige talks with Lindsay Fortunato, CEO of Fortunato Construction Group. Lindsay shares her journey growing up in a construction environment, her leadership style, balancing work life, and how she maintains a people-first culture. Discover insights into customer-centric approaches and the importance of teamwork and employee retention. 01:24 Lindsay Fortunato's...

In this episode, Samantha C. Prestidge discusses the common tendency of businesses to overcomplicate processes. She emphasizes the importance of simplicity in operations, highlighting its impact on team efficiency, morale, and overall business success. Discover how to identify and eliminate unnecessary complexities by adopting lean management techniques, asking critical 'why' questions, and focusi...

In this episode, Samantha C. Prestige talks to Josh Luebker, a fractional CFO and COO, about bridging the gap between project management and accounting in the construction industry. They explore how to help subcontractors find stability and growth through consistent processes, efficient project management, and effective communication. Josh shares his journey in the industry and offers practical ad...

In this episode, host Samantha C. Prestidge shares her personal story of being passed up for a management position early in her career. She discusses three key reasons for not getting the promotion and provides advice for employees and managers on how to navigate similar situations.

In this episode, Samantha C. Prestige speaks with Craig Montz, the Industrial Special Projects Business Group Leader for the Iowa region at Myron Construction. With over 20 years of experience, Craig shares his insights on being a generalist, problem prevention, customer centricity, and balancing internal and external customer needs. He emphasizes the importance of showing up, having a good attitu...

In this episode, Samantha C. Prestidge discusses the importance of clear job descriptions in the hiring process. She delves into common pitfalls of vague job descriptions, the impact of these on team dynamics, and practical strategies to create effective job descriptions that ensure better hiring outcomes. Samantha shares insights on establishing clear expectations, responsibilities, and qualifica...

In this episode, Samantha C. Prestige sits down with Kerri Smith, a driving force at Baker Construction, to discuss the importance of investing in employees and embedding cultural values within a company. They delve into Baker Construction's unique five tours program for talent development, the challenges of implementing such a system, and the rewarding outcomes. This episode is packed with insigh...

In this episode, host Samantha C. Prestidge discusses the challenges and strategies for transitioning from being a team member to a team leader. She shares personal anecdotes, practical tips, and offers resources for managers facing this difficult shift. 02:44 Working with Friends and Family 03:27 Practical Tips for Transition 05:42 Conflict Resolution 12:48 Maintaining Friendships at Work

In this  episode, Samantha C. Prestige interviews Bill Radobenko, the president of ACI Northwest, to discuss building collaborative teams, turning big personalities into big leaders, and fostering a culture of humility, teamwork, and integrity. Bill shares his journey from working as a roofer at 17 to leading one of Idaho’s top construction companies, emphasizing the importance of listening, trust...

In this episode, Samantha C. Prestidge dives into the critical decision-making behind hiring based on soft skills versus technical skills in the construction industry. She discusses the importance of having the right processes, support systems, and culture in place to set new hires up for success, and shares personal anecdotes and practical advice for hiring managers facing high turnover and labor...

In this episode, Samantha C. Prestidge speaks with Jose Amaya, Chief Business Development Officer at Pinkard Construction. They discuss the importance of work-life balance, Pinkard's commitment to the Front Range of Colorado, and the company's focus on affordable housing. Jose shares insights on maintaining a fulfilling career in the construction industry while balancing family life, the strategie...

In this episode, Samantha talks about the concept of silos within businesses and how they create divisions, inefficiencies, and frustrations. She elaborates on identifying silos, understanding their costs, and breaking them down to foster a culture of collaboration and communication. Samantha also provides actionable steps for leaders to improve team synergy, thus paving the way for operational ex...

In this episode, Samantha C. Prestidge interviews Megan Sharpio, a legal expert specializing in construction contracts. They delve into the often-overlooked potential of contracts to enhance profitability, strengthen relationships, and mitigate risks in the construction industry. Megan provides insights and actionable steps for construction leaders to leverage their contracts effectively. 01:25 Th...

In this episode, Samantha C. Prestidge discusses the importance of flatter organizational structures in the building industry. She compares vertical and horizontal org charts, explores the issues with excessive management layers, and provides actionable steps for companies to transition to more efficient, people-focused structures. Samantha also discusses how to empower employees, maintain flexibi...

In this episode Samantha C. Prestige chats with Vincent Deorio, CEO of Red Team Homes. They discuss Vincent's journey stepping into his role, the complexities of team transformation, market dynamics, and innovative strategies for preserving cash and diversifying revenue streams. With a strong emphasis on patience, leadership, and people-focused culture, Vincent shares valuable insights and actiona...

In this episode, host Samantha C. Prestidge interviews Clint Schmitz, the founder of Schmitz Design Build in Colorado. Clint shares his journey from playing in the dirt on a farm in Iowa to launching his own commercial design build contractor firm. They discuss the importance of building relationships, leveraging technology, and the challenges of getting projects approved by local jurisdictions. C...

In this episode, Samantha explores the surprising similarities between managing employees and parenting toddlers. She shares five essential lessons learned from parenting that can be effectively applied to leading teams: active listening, giving direction, offering praise and attention, practicing what you preach, and reflection and awareness. Samantha provides practical insights and personal anec...

In this episode, Samantha discusses the critical importance of effective communication in the construction industry. She explores common communication pitfalls that lead to project inefficiencies and financial losses and offers practical solutions for building a culture of clarity, transparency, and active listening within teams. Listeners will learn how to create dependable communication strategi...

In this episode, Samantha C. Prestidge delves into the controversial and often misunderstood topic of work-life balance. She explores common misconceptions, discusses practical examples, and offers valuable insights on achieving a balanced, fulfilling, and efficient work life. Samantha shares personal anecdotes and client stories to illustrate how flexibility and simplicity can lead to both person...

In this episode, Samantha C. Prestidge engages in a riveting conversation with Raymond Sonnier, Director of Damage Prevention at GAC Enterprises. Bringing over 30 years of industry experience, Raymond discusses the transformative impact of leading by example, building trust within teams, and the importance of self-leadership. He shares personal stories and practical strategies for maintaining comm...

In this episode of Construction Trailblazers, Samantha C. Prestige dives into the importance of asking tough questions to drive real growth and solve underlying issues in business.  By sharing experiences and strategies, Samantha emphasizes the value of healthy conflict and digging deep to get to the root causes of problems, moving beyond surface-level fixes.  Tune in to learn how embracing curios...

The Art of Delegation: Empowering Your Construction Team for Success In this episode of Construction Trailblazers, Samantha C discusses the crucial skill of delegation in the construction industry. Discover why it's vital to empower your team by assigning the right tasks and how this can boost productivity, team morale, and overall company success. Learn actionable tips on effective delegation and...