Stop Hiring the Wrong People: How to Build a Winning Construction Team

Hiring is the most expensive and often overlooked decision you make in construction. Most contractors hire for skill, not fit. This single mistake creates a cycle of turnover, stress, and underperformance that kills momentum.

In this episode of Construction Champions, host Ron Nussbaum talks with Josh Hill, former Australian Army Officer and co-founder of Super Hired AI. They discuss how to rethink hiring from the ground up. Josh explains why culture, clarity, and courage are more important than résumés. He shares how elite organizations build teams that multiply energy instead of draining it.

Why “We’ve Always Done It This Way” Kills Growth

Complacency is quiet. It creeps in when businesses stop questioning what works and start settling for what’s familiar.

“The moment you stop challenging how you do things, you stop growing,” Josh says.

From the battlefield to the boardroom, he’s seen how outdated systems and unchecked egos sabotage performance. In construction, that complacency shows up as rushed hires, poor onboarding, and chronic turnover. Leaders keep repeating what’s comfortable instead of what’s effective.

The Human Condition: Managing Work vs. Managing People

Most construction leaders think they’re managing people. In reality, they’re managing work. Josh explains that high-performance teams emerge when leaders focus on clarity of mission, defined expectations, and open feedback loops, not micromanagement.

When you design systems that support people instead of control them, accountability becomes natural, and motivation multiplies.

Hiring as Matchmaking, Not Checklist

Traditional hiring is broken. Resumés and quick interviews reveal almost nothing about a person’s mindset, motivation, or alignment with company culture.

“You’re not hiring a skillset, you’re hiring a human system,” Josh says.

Through Super Hired AI, his team applies marketing psychology and data-driven profiling. This helps businesses match candidates with company values and behavioral patterns before the first interview. The result? Fewer bad hires, stronger retention, and teams that actually like working together.

Why Bad Hires Cost More Than Failed Projects

A failed project hurts profit. A bad hire hurts everything. They lower morale, slow execution, and spread toxicity that’s hard to fix.

Josh calls it “organizational cancer.” The longer you tolerate misalignment, the more it infects the team. But when you hire intentionally, you create what he calls the multiplier effect—one great hire who makes everyone around them better.

The Future of Hiring in Construction

The future belongs to builders who think differently about people.AI and automation. These tools are taking over admin work, but human connection, leadership, and culture design are what separate good companies from great ones.

“Technology can help you find people, but culture is what keeps them,” Josh says.

That’s why Super Hired AI focuses on merging behavioral science with automation. They help contractors systemize recruiting without losing the human touch.

About Josh Hill

• Name: Josh Hill

• Title: Co-Founder & Head of People

• Company: Super Hired AI

• Website: superhired.ai

• Background: Former Australian Army Infantry Officer, Marketing & HR Strategist

• Specialty: Culture design, recruitment innovation, and human-centered systems

  
  

How BuilderComs Fits In

Strong hiring starts with clear communication, and that’s exactly what BuilderComs delivers. Once you’ve built the right team, BuilderComs gives them a unified platform to communicate, collaborate, and stay aligned across every project.

Because the only thing worse than hiring the wrong people is giving the right ones bad tools. Learn more at www.buildercoms.com.

The Importance of Culture in Hiring

Culture is the backbone of any successful organization. It shapes how employees interact, make decisions, and approach their work. When hiring, it’s crucial to assess whether a candidate will fit into your company culture.

A strong culture attracts top talent. It encourages employees to stay and grow within the organization. When everyone shares the same values and vision, it creates a cohesive team. This unity leads to better collaboration and increased productivity.

Strategies for Effective Hiring

To improve your hiring process, consider these strategies:

1. Define Your Culture: Clearly articulate your company values and mission. This will guide your hiring decisions.

   
   

2. Use Behavioral Assessments: Implement tools that evaluate candidates’ behaviors and motivations. This helps ensure alignment with your culture.

   
   

3. Involve Your Team: Include current employees in the hiring process. Their insights can help identify candidates who will thrive in your environment.

   
   

4. Focus on Onboarding: A strong onboarding process sets the tone for new hires. It helps them integrate into your culture and understand expectations.

   
   

5. Solicit Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback from your team about the hiring process. This can help you refine your approach over time.

   
   

Conclusion

In construction, hiring the right people is critical. It’s not just about filling a position; it’s about building a team that drives success. By focusing on culture, clarity, and intentional hiring practices, you can create a thriving work environment.

Remember, the future of your business depends on the people you bring on board. So, take the time to hire wisely. Your team—and your bottom line—will thank you.