The Most Underrated Skill in Construction: Communication
- Construction Champions Podcast
- May 12
- 3 min read
Insights from Mick Hawes on the Construction Champions Podcast
In the construction world, we often think success comes down to materials, manpower, and machinery. But what if the real game-changer isn’t your skill with a hammer or your latest project management software?
On this episode of the Construction Champions Podcast, host Ron Nussbaum welcomes Mick Hawes, founder of Builders Business Black Belt and host of The Toolshed Podcast, for a conversation that cuts straight to the core of what separates thriving contractors from struggling ones: communication.
Why Communication Is the Ultimate Builder Superpower
Mick doesn’t mince words. He says it clearly: "The difference between an average builder and a successful one is how they communicate."
Think about it. The most costly problems on a jobsite, misunderstood scope, mismanaged clients, missed deadlines, usually trace back to unclear or inconsistent communication. It’s not the nails or numbers that fail; it’s how we talk, listen, and manage expectations.
This episode dives deep into how builders can transform their businesses not by buying more tools or adding tech, but by becoming masters of how they relate to:
Their crews
Their clients
Their families
Mick shares that poor communication doesn’t just impact project outcomes, it impacts mental health, relationships, and your overall energy as a leader.
Emotional Control: The Foundation of Great Leadership
In construction, pressure is part of the package. But reacting emotionally can create ripple effects across an entire team. Mick talks about the power of emotional discipline and how critical it is for builders to manage their mindset.
"The way you feel impacts the way you lead," he explains. "If you're constantly in a state of stress or frustration, that bleeds into every conversation."
He emphasizes the importance of rituals and routines, even simple habits like morning journaling or mindset resets—as tools to stay centered, focused, and in control.
Deliver Plus: The Strategy for Creating Raving Fans
One of the most actionable takeaways from Mick in this episode is his Deliver Plus framework.
"Your customers expect you to deliver what you promised. That’s the baseline. But when you deliver plus, something they didn’t expect, you create loyalty."
This could be as simple as showing up 10 minutes early, sending a post-project thank you gift, or giving regular updates without being asked.
In a world where many contractors still ghost clients mid-project, being over-communicative and value-driven makes you stand out fast.
Mindset Shifts That Build Better Businesses
Mick draws from his early career in athletic coaching to teach builders how to improve performance by focusing on inputs rather than just outcomes.
Most builders chase results, more revenue, more leads, better projects. But Mick teaches that better results come from:
Better habits
Better systems
Better communication
This episode is a call for contractors to stop reacting and start leading intentionally.
"Every builder is already a communicator. The question is: are you a good one or a bad one?"
Rituals That Power Growth
Mick is big on rituals. Whether it's daily planning, visualizations, or simple breathing exercises, he believes builders must lead themselves before they can lead others.
It’s not fluffy. It’s tactical. The reality is, high-performing builders have processes not just for projects, but for their own mindset.
If you want to be more profitable, less stressed, and more respected by your team and your clients, Mick says it starts with mastering your morning, your reactions, and your daily intentions.
BuilderComs: The Ultimate Communication Hub for Contractors
At BuilderComs, we believe what Mick is preaching: communication isn’t just a skill, it’s your competitive advantage.
That’s why we built a system designed to solve communication breakdowns in construction businesses. Whether it’s messaging, updates, document sharing, or customer portals, BuilderComs makes communication seamless across your entire operation.
If you’re serious about leveling up, don’t just listen to the podcast—act on it.
Watch Today!
Want to Master Communication and Win in Construction?
Connect with guest Mick Hawes:
Connect with host Ron Nussbaum:
Check out BuilderComs, the client communication hub built for contractors:
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