You’re the Bottleneck! Fyfe Barraclough on Fixing the Real Problem, You
- Construction Champions Podcast
- May 19
- 3 min read
An essential mindset shift for construction business owners who feel stuck.
You can have the best project management software, the most efficient jobsite workflow, and a high-performing crew, but if you, the business owner, are burned out, controlling, or unknowingly sabotaging progress, your construction business will stay stuck.
That’s the hard truth that Fyfe Barraclough lays out in this must-hear episode of the Construction Champions Podcast with host Ron Nussbaum.
Fyfe isn’t just another coach. He specializes in mental fitness and helps high-achieving leaders in construction identify the real reasons they’re not scaling and it almost always starts with themselves.
Why Construction Burnout Is a Leadership Issue
Fyfe sees it every day: stressed-out contractors who think they just need better employees or tighter systems. But the real issue isn’t out there, it’s inside.
"You can’t scale what you can’t control and the hardest thing to control is your own mindset," he says.
In the construction industry, overwork is worn like a badge of honor. But that stress often turns into:
Micromanagement
Poor delegation
Emotional outbursts on site
Inconsistent leadership
Broken client relationships
And it all stems from internal patterns most builders don’t even realize are running the show.
The 3 Mindset Archetypes That Derail Contractors
Fyfe introduces three powerful archetypes that often operate in the background of high-performing construction business owners:
1. The Hyperachiever
Driven to prove their worth through constant success, these builders never rest. They feel guilty when they’re not working and often tie their self-worth to their business performance.
2. The Controller
These contractors feel like the only way to succeed is to grip tighter. They resist delegation, over-schedule themselves, and end up frustrated that no one else can "do it right."
3. The Pleaser
Yes-men and people-pleasers who say yes to every client change order, every weekend project, and every team request—until they break.
Fyfe explains how recognizing your dominant archetype is the first step to leading yourself better—and leading your company to the next level.
There are many more of archetypes and Fyfe is here to help you understand yours.
Leading Yourself First (Before You Lead a Crew)
In an industry built around hard work and grit, personal growth can seem like a luxury. But Fyfe argues it’s a non-negotiable.
"You can’t lead others well if you’re leading yourself poorly."
That means learning to:
Set clear boundaries
Create systems that don’t depend on you
Develop a mindset that isn’t reactionary
Rebuild your business around your values and your life
This is especially crucial in construction, where owner-operators often work 70+ hour weeks and carry all the mental load.
The Link Between Communication and Control
Contractors who don’t trust their team avoid delegation. They send mixed messages. They become the single point of failure.
That’s why platforms like BuilderComs are essential for construction companies that want to grow. It allows owners to:
Assign communication to the right team members
Track progress and sentiment
Step back without losing visibility
Burnout Isn’t a Badge. It’s a Warning Sign.
If you feel like you’re constantly "in the weeds," working harder than ever and still not moving forward, Fyfe says the problem isn’t your tools or your team.
It’s how you’re leading. And that can change.
This episode is a wake-up call for builders who want:
Less stress
More time with family
A business that doesn’t depend solely on them
And the first step is taking ownership of your own behavior, mindset, and internal operating system.
Take Back Control by Letting Go!
Connect with the Construction Champions
Learn more from Fyfe:
Connect with Ron Nussbaum:
Explore BuilderComs, the communication hub for contractors:
Watch the full episode:
Keywords: construction podcast, business coaching for contractors, burnout in construction, mental fitness for builders, Fyfe Barraclough, contractor leadership, hyperachiever mindset, construction business stress, BuilderComs, client communication, construction delegation, construction business owner burnout, Ron Nussbaum
You’re the Bottleneck: Fyfe Barraclough on Fixing the Real Problem, You
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