How to Manage Struggling Employees | Construction Leadership, Coaching & Accountability | Ep. 22
How do you manage a struggling employee? And how do you walk into a construction contract negotiation when six people are sitting across the table from you? In this episode of the Starbuck & Sargent Podcast, Jimmy Starbuck and Herb Sargent tackle two challenges faced by construction business owners and leaders: improving employee performance through clarity, coaching and accountability, and confidently negotiating for major construction contracts. They discuss why being a good boss starts with being human, how unclear expectations create resentment, and why accountability should be a structured process rather than simply a threat of getting fired. Jimmy and Herb also reflect on mistakes they made earlier in their careers, including times when they used the “club” instead of taking a more considered approach to leadership. They explore how company culture, communication and consistent expectations can help employees and businesses improve. Later in the episode, they answer a listener question about negotiating a public contract when the client has a much larger team in the room. They share practical advice on preparing for tough questions, understanding the client's concerns, demonstrating your experience and making your case without putting down competitors. IN THIS EPISODE: How to tell whether a struggling employee needs clarity, coaching or accountability Why leaders should be human first Setting clear expectations, outcomes and deadlines How to close the feedback loop with employees The difference between accountability for a task and accountability for a role Why difficult performance conversations become harder when you avoid them How communication and company culture affect employee performance Why accountability matters as a construction business grows Lessons from leadership mistakes made early in a career How to prepare for a construction contract negotiation Handling a room full of client representatives with confidence Demonstrating your strengths without criticising competitors Whether you're a construction business owner, contractor, project manager, supervisor or emerging leader, this conversation explores practical ways to build stronger teams, improve communication and approach challenging business situations. Got a question for Jimmy and Herb? Send it through using the contact details in the show notes. Your question could be discussed in a future episode. If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to like, subscribe, share and leave a review. #Construction #ConstructionLeadership #ConstructionBusiness #EmployeeManagement #Leadership #Accountability #CivilConstruction #ContractNegotiation
