How Ego Kills Leadership: Kevin Hill on Fixing the Real Problem in Construction Teams
- Construction Champions Podcast
- Jul 28
- 3 min read
Is your team falling short or are you the bottleneck?
In this raw and honest episode of the Construction Champions Podcast, Kevin Hill, master advisor with CEO Warrior, breaks down why most leadership struggles in construction start at the top. From ego-driven decisions to lack of clarity, Kevin shares why your culture is broken long before your team "drops the ball."
If you're tired of turnover, poor accountability, and team members who don’t seem to care, this episode will shift your mindset.
You’re Not Leading, You’re Managing by Ego
Kevin opens up about his early years as a home services leader, where team meetings felt more like firing squads than coaching sessions.
"I used to run meetings where I'd go around the room saying, 'You suck, you suck, you're okay, you suck.' Then expect five-star reviews. That was me."
Sound familiar?
Kevin explains that most leadership breakdowns are the result of ego-driven management, not bad employees. When you lead from frustration or fear, your team reacts defensively. And over time, that becomes your culture.
Accountability Is Culture, Not Consequence
One of Kevin's core frameworks is simple but powerful:
Clarity + Alignment = Accountability
Most contractors and home service leaders skip the clarity part. They throw expectations into the air with no follow-up, no alignment, and no real connection to the team’s “why.”
"You can't hold someone accountable if they don’t know what they’re being measured by. That’s not accountability, it’s chaos."
Kevin calls for a shift away from blame and toward intentional culture building.
That means:
Clear job roles
Aligned incentives
Regular feedback loops
Knowing what drives your team (more on that next)
Start With the Why, Not the Whip
Kevin shares one of the most practical leadership tips of the episode:
"You want someone to go the extra mile? Learn their why."
He coined a term for it: WiFi — What’s In It For You.
Whether it's time with their family, building a career, or being proud in front of their kids, your team is motivated by something and it's probably not more money.
In fact, Kevin found that:
Paid time off was more valuable than bonuses
Recognition and connection drove retention
Conversations about personal goals created real loyalty
He’s seen firsthand how emotional leadership > financial incentives, especially with today's workforce.
From Boss to Coach
A major theme in this episode is flipping the org chart, from top-down control to bottom-up support.
Kevin explains how moving from boss to coach changed everything:
Ride-alongs became the most impactful leadership move he made
Servant leadership earned respect (not demanded it)
Small team pods increased effectiveness and reduced burnout
"Culture isn’t what’s on the wall. It’s what you tolerate in the hall."
Your actions set the tone. If you tolerate drama, shortcuts, and disrespect, you’re endorsing it.
Why Ride-Alongs Matter More Than Meetings
Forget the whiteboard. Kevin says the real culture shift happens when you get out of the office and into the truck.
Spending time with team members in the field does three things:
Shows you're human, not just a talking head
Builds mutual respect and trust
Gives insight into what they really deal with every day
Even just handing someone a screwdriver can go further than a thousand meetings.
Real Growth Starts with Humility
Kevin’s journey from ego-driven owner to people-first leader isn’t unique, but it’s often unspoken.
This episode gives you permission to:
Admit where you've gotten it wrong
Ask better questions (like “What’s your why?”)
Rebuild your leadership habits from the ground up
Whether you’re in HVAC, remodeling, plumbing, or general construction, Kevin’s advice is universal:
Fix the leader, fix the business.
Watch the full episode
Visit Kevin’s Website: https://www.ceowarrior.com
Email Kevin: kevin@ceowarrior.com
Follow on Facebook: Kevin Hill on Facebook
About the Host
Ron Nussbaum is a U.S. Marine veteran and founder of BuilderComs, a messaging first project management software built for construction. Through the Construction Champions Podcast, Ron brings industry leaders together to inspire change, sharpen leadership, and redefine what success looks like in the trades.
How Ego Kills Leadership: Kevin Hill on Fixing the Real Problem in Construction Teams
Comments