The NEXT Academy

In this episode of The Builder's Bookshelf. we break down  The Goal  and translate Goldratt’s Theory of Constraints into the real world of construction, where one bottleneck can quietly dictate the pace of an entire project. You’ll learn how to find your job’s “Herbie,” stop mistaking busyness for progress, and lead work in a way that improves flow, protects margin, and gets the whole system m...

In this episode of The Builder's Bookshelf, we unpack Ron Shaich’s  Know What Matters  and explore how construction leaders can stop confusing busyness with progress by telling themselves the truth, identifying what actually matters, and acting on it with intention. You’ll learn how future-back thinking, smart bets, and honest priorities can help you build not just a stronger company, but a li...

In this episode of The Builder's Bookshelf, we break down  The Founder’s Mentality  and explore why so many growing construction companies lose the very edge that made them successful in the first place—speed, clarity, and obsession with the front line. You’ll learn how to protect an insurgent mission, stay close to the field, and build an owner’s mindset so your company can grow without becom...

In this episode of The Builder's Bookshelf, we break down Daniel Pink’s  Drive  and translate autonomy, mastery, and purpose into the jobsite—where “carrots and sticks” might get compliance, but rarely get commitment. You’ll learn how to motivate construction teams without micromanaging, build pride in craft, and create a culture where people bring their brains to work, not just their bodies....

In this episode of The Builder's Bookshelf, we break down  Move Fast and Fix Things  and translate its “trusted leader” playbook into the jobsite—where speed is often demanded, but trust and clarity are the real fuel. You’ll learn how to fix the system (not blame the people), build psychological safety so bad news travels fast, and create faster, cleaner execution without breaking your team. E...

In this episode of The Builder's Bookshelf, we break down  Leadership on the Line  and explore why leading real change is dangerous—because it threatens people’s habits, identities, and comfort, not just their to-do list. You’ll learn how to “get on the balcony,” manage the heat, give the work back to the team, and stay steady long enough for adaptive change to actually stick. Enjoy Episode 12...

In this episode of The Builder's Bookshelf, we break down Adam Grant’s  Think Again  and translate the “scientist mindset” into the real world of construction—where strong opinions, jobsite folklore, and ego can quietly cost you time, money, and trust. You’ll learn how to rethink faster, argue less, learn more, and become the kind of leader who stays adaptable, sharp, and dangerous in a changi...

In this episode of The Builder's Bookshelf, we break down  The Outsiders  and explore how eight low-ego, radically rational CEOs built extraordinary results by mastering the unsexy skill that actually drives long-term success: capital allocation. You’ll learn how to think like an owner, avoid “growth for growth’s sake,” and make calmer, smarter decisions about where your time, money, and atten...

In this episode of The Builder's Bookshelf, we unpack Michael Watkins’ The First 90 Days and turn it into a practical game plan for stepping into a new role in construction—whether you’re a first-time PM, a new superintendent, or taking over a tough project. You’ll learn how to accelerate your learning, secure early wins, align with your boss and stakeholders, and treat your first three months...

In this episode of The Builder's Bookshelf, we unpack Jocko Willink and Leif Babin’s  Extreme Ownership  and translate its combat-tested leadership lessons directly onto the jobsite—where excuses are common, stakes are high, and results are visible in concrete and steel. You’ll learn how taking radical responsibility for schedule, safety, quality, and communication can transform you from a fin...

In this episode of The Builder's Bookshelf, we unpack Jim Collins’  Good to Great  and translate its biggest ideas into the world of construction—Level 5 leadership, getting the right people on the bus, finding your “Hedgehog,” and pushing the flywheel project after project. You’ll learn how disciplined people, disciplined thought, and disciplined action can transform a “good contractor” into...

In this episode of The Builder's Bookshelf, we unpack Daniel Goleman’s  Primal Leadership  and explore how a leader’s mood, presence, and emotional intelligence quietly drive safety, performance, and culture on every jobsite. You’ll learn how to use the six leadership styles to create resonance instead of burnout, and become the kind of PM, superintendent, or foreman people actually do their b...

In this episode of The Builder's Bookshelf, we break down  Blue Ocean Strategy  and show construction leaders how to escape the bloody low-bid race by designing offers that make competitors almost irrelevant. You’ll learn how to use value innovation to eliminate waste, raise what owners truly care about, and carve out a market space where your firm is the obvious, uncontested choice. Enjoy Epi...

In this episode of The Builder's Bookshelf, we unpack Clayton Christensen’s  The Innovator’s Dilemma  and explore why even the best-run construction companies can get blindsided by prefab, modular, drones, and AI. You’ll learn how to spot disruptive shifts early, run experiments without wrecking your core business, and become the builder that drives the change instead of getting run over by it...

In this episode of The Builder's Bookshelf, we unpack  Playing to Win  and translate Lafley & Martin’s strategy playbook into the world of bids, projects, and construction companies that are tired of just “staying busy.” You’ll learn how to choose where you’ll play, how you’ll win, and how to align your people, processes, and projects so your firm stops playing not to lose and starts truly...

In this episode of The Builder's Bookshelf, we break down John Kotter’s  Leading Change  and translate his 8-step playbook into the messy, real world of jobsites, bid boards, and “we’ve always done it this way” culture. You’ll learn how to create true urgency, build a guiding coalition, secure quick wins, and actually embed lasting change in your construction company instead of watching anothe...

In this episode of The Builder's Bookshelf, we break down  Zero to One  and translate Peter Thiel’s biggest ideas into the real world of construction—bids, boots, blueprints and all. You’ll learn how to escape the race to the bottom, find your “secret” edge, and start building a career and company that go from just another contractor… to the only one people call. Enjoy Episode 1 and #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "What area of personal growth are you most excited to focus on, and how can you start taking action toward that growth today?" Enjoy Episode 50 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Blake steps inside Pixar’s Braintrust to show how radical candor without authority turns rough early cuts into remarkable films. Learn how keeping decisions with the builders, critiquing the work (not the worker), and scheduling the next messy version can supercharge any team’s results. Enj...

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "What area of personal growth are you most excited to focus on, and how can you start taking action toward that growth today?" Enjoy Episode 49 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Blake boards the USS Benfold to see how Captain D. Michael Abrashoff turned low morale into standout performance by listening first and handing real ownership to the crew. Learn how pushing authority to the edge, cutting dumb friction, and celebrating smart signals can transform compliance...

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "What is one decision you've been hesitating to make, and what small step can you take today to move forward with confidence?" Enjoy Episode 48 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Blake revisits Andy Grove and Gordon Moore’s 1985 pivot at Intel—asking what a successor would do, then doing it themselves by exiting DRAM and betting on microprocessors. Learn how one brave “no,” clear communication, and wiring mechanisms to match the new strategy can turn a company’s ide...

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "What is one area of your life where you can embrace progress over perfection, and how might that shift lead to a deeper sense of fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 47 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Blake relives Fred Rogers’ 1969 Senate testimony, where calm purpose and clear human stakes persuaded a tough appropriations chair to restore funding for public television. Learn how leading with respect, translating value into real outcomes, and making promises you intend to keep can win t...