Hard Hat to CEO with Chris Gilman

What if the hardest conversation you keep avoiding is the one your team needs most? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris G talks with Irvine Nugent of Conflict EQ about how leaders can face conflict with more courage, care, and calm. Irvin shares how growing up in Northern Ireland shaped his work, and how one painful leadership moment taught him the cost of avoiding hard talks. They discuss w...

Are your New Year’s goals already slipping away? In this episode, Chris G. talks about why 90-day goals work better than big yearly plans that feel too far away. He shares how checking in every six weeks can help you see what is working, what needs to change, and what you should do next. Chris also talks about the power of writing down your wins, rewarding yourself, and picturing what success will...

What if trying to save money on real estate ends up costing you more in the long run? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris G talks with New Zealand real estate investor and buyer's agent Hadley Nightingale about how to build a smart property portfolio. Hadley shares why rental income can give you more choices in life, why the deal starts with buying the right property, and why doing your home...

Could small money leaks be quietly hurting your construction business? In this episode, Chris G shares a story about a water bill problem that looked like a huge leak, then shows how the same thing can happen with business profits. He explains that contractors often lose money through unclear quotes, missed change orders, poor job planning, and weak cash flow. Chris also shares why writing things...

What if the biggest wins in life and business come from doing a few simple things better? In this episode, Chris G shares honest lessons he learned the hard way and hopes others can learn from too. He talks about why listening matters, not just hearing words, but paying attention to people, your team, your clients, and your family. He also shares why quiet time helps you think, why goals need a re...

What do you do when fear, debt, and bad choices all hit at the same time? In this episode, Chris G shares simple but powerful lessons from years of hard business struggles. He talks about getting stuck in bad partnerships, learning that help does not have to mean giving up control, and why hiring the right people can save you money and stress in the long run. He also explains how pride can keep yo...

Why do so many contractors stay busy all day and still feel stuck? In this episode, Chris G talks with Brad Huebner, a former Marine, business coach, and host of the Hammer and Grind podcast. Brad shares how he spent years working hard but still did not get the results he wanted. What changed? He learned he was not charging enough, not hiring the right people, and not using a real sales process. T...

What do successful business owners all have in common? According to Chris Gilman, their habits look surprisingly similar. In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris shares the simple but powerful principles that separate struggling businesses from thriving ones. From taking full responsibility to building strong systems, he explains the real mindset that drives long-term success. Chris also opens u...

What if the real key to growing a construction business is not building faster, but building trust first? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris G talks with Gil Vaisman about how he went from TV editor to ADU builder in California and created a business focused on strong client experience. Gil explains what ADUs are, why they can turn home equity into real income, and how his low-cost entry of...

What would you do with an extra 40 hours every month? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris Gilman shares simple ways contractors can stop losing time to repeat questions, constant interruptions, phone calls, and fixing the same problems again and again. He explains why clear systems, job standards, and better delegation help your team work without needing you for every little decision. Chris...

What do you do when you realize your health can’t wait any longer? In this episode, Stanley Bronstein shares his personal story of losing 222 pounds and creating a better life along the way. He talks about more than weight loss. He explains why living longer only matters if you also feel strong, clear-minded, and able to enjoy your life. Stanley also shares simple habits that helped him stay on tr...

What if doing less could actually help your business grow more? In this episode, Chris G. talks about why many business owners get stuck trying to do everything themselves and how that can hold the whole company back. He explains that real delegation is not just handing off small tasks. It means trusting your team with real responsibility, giving clear direction, and letting them learn. Chris also...

What if the biggest thing holding your business back is not your team, but the way you hand work off? In this episode, Chris G sits down with Samantha Prestidge to talk about why clear communication matters so much when you delegate. Samantha explains that most team problems start when owners are not clear about the end goal. She also shares how to hire the right people, what makes an A-player, an...

What makes someone more than just a good contractor? In this episode, Chris G. talks about what it takes to grow from doing the work to running a strong business. It starts with simple things like clear communication and keeping your word. When clients feel informed and cared for, their stress goes down, and trust goes up. Chris also covers why you need to stop thinking like a worker and start thi...

Why do some of the smartest workers struggle the most with paperwork? In this episode, Chris G. chats with Russell Van Brocklen, who shares how dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences affect many employees, especially in trades and hands-on jobs. These workers often have great ideas and strong problem-solving skills, but writing and paperwork can slow them down. Russell explains how leaders...

Is growing your business always a good thing? In this episode, Chris G shares a story from when his sales team was doing great, but the company was still losing money. They were selling more than the company could produce. Stress went up, hours got longer, and profits dropped. Chris explains why many business owners chase growth because it looks good. More trucks, more tools, and more jobs can mak...

Have you ever felt like you’re working all the time but still falling behind? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris G talks with Andrew Hartman about why so many people feel stressed and overwhelmed by work. Andrew shares his own story of burnout after saying yes to too many projects and working nonstop. The stress even started hurting his health and family life. That experience pushed him to...

Do you ever get home from work, but your mind is still on the job? In this episode, Chris G talks about the five simple changes that helped him take back his evenings and finally rest. He shares how he stopped making big decisions at night and started writing a short list to clear his head. He quit scrolling on social media before bed and set clear rules about not answering calls or texts after a...

What if the thing you call failure is actually the moment that sets you up to win? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris G. talks with Ari Rastegar about how losing a business became the push he needed to build a thriving real estate company investing in 38 cities across 13 states. Ari keeps it real as he shares why your health matters more than hustle, how the people around you shape your fut...

Have you ever noticed that the more reliable you are, the more everything lands on your plate? In this episode, Chris G. talks about the hidden cost of always being the one who answers the phone, fixes the problem, and saves the day. At first, it feels like leadership. But over time, it slows your growth, stresses you out, and keeps your team from stepping up. Chris shares real stories from sales,...

What if the reason most investors lose money isn’t the market… but the numbers they accept? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris G. talks with seasoned investor Frank Iglesias about what’s really working in today’s real estate world. With 17 years of experience, Frank shares why he sticks to conservative “all in” numbers, why cash flow matters more than hype, and how strong negotiation skills...

What if business isn’t complicated at all… just uncomfortable? In this episode, Chris G. shares a real story from running a $20 million family business and how everything changed when he put a simple budget in place and aimed for a clear 10% profit. He explains why you must charge the right price, stop trying to “save” money in ways that cost you time, and fix problems at the root instead of putti...

What if you could look up a property and quickly know what you’re allowed to build before you ever leave your office? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris talks with Avi Kaufman about ADUs, also known as accessory dwelling units, and why they are popping up all over the country. They explain what an ADU is, how it can help families keep loved ones close, and why it is becoming a smart way to...

Ever feel like your business is doing fine, you’re busy, making money, staying booked, but deep down, you know you’re not moving forward? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris G. talks about that weird middle stage where everything looks good on paper, but you feel stuck. He shares a story about getting a Can-Am stuck in a ditch (and how that relates to your business), why just “working harder...

What if the only thing stopping customers from choosing you is your online presence? In this episode, Chris G chats with Australian branding expert Wes Towers about why every trade and construction business needs a clean, simple, and trustworthy website. Wes explains how clearer messaging, real photos and videos, and up-to-date content can help people feel confident picking you. They also talk abo...