Shows
Success Secrets and StoriesCareer Development Means Growing Your PeopleSend us Fan MailYour team is telling you the truth every day, but not always with words. When leaders treat silence as satisfaction, careers stall, engagement drops, and “development” turns into a once-a-year checkbox.Greg and I talk through the Management by Responsibility (MBR) mindset and why leadership is about accountability for employee growth, safety, and long-term well-being. From there, we make the case for a simple shift that changes everything: stop framing the conversation as a performance review and start treating it as a career review. That one change moves the tone from judg...
2026-05-0121 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesResume Gets You Hired And Character Gets You FiredSend us Fan MailThe resume is neat, confident, and full of bullet points. The reality is a human being who shows up on Monday morning, and sometimes that gap is not a gap at all, it is a canyon. Greg and I talk about why skills may get someone hired, but character is what decides whether they last, especially once the pressure hits and the probationary period ends.We dig into “interview theater,” the buzzword-heavy game of keyword bingo, and how vague claims like “team player” or “highly coachable” can hide a lack of ownership. T...
2026-04-2420 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesPrepare For A Leadership Interview That CountsSend us Fan MailThe fastest way to derail a leadership interview is to treat it like a normal promotion chat. We open with the question that decides more careers than people want to admit: “Why do you want to be a leader?” Then Greg and I unpack what interviewers are really listening for in those first few minutes and how your answer signals maturity, motivation, and readiness before you’ve even covered your resume.We also get practical about the modern reality of hiring: virtual interviews. When you’re on the phone or staring into a Z...
2026-04-1721 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesYour Team Trusts Integrity But Follows CharacterSend us Fan MailLeadership doesn’t usually fail because someone lacks skill. It fails when pressure shows up, trade-offs get real, and doing the right thing costs time, comfort, popularity, or control. That’s where character shows itself, and where a lot of leaders discover that integrity and character are not the same thing.Greg and I break down a simple but powerful distinction: integrity is consistency between your words and your actions, while leadership character is the bigger system that sets your direction. Character includes courage, humility, resilience, empathy, fairness, and judgment. Integrity can...
2026-04-1016 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesBusiness Cycles And Career Cycles Explained = Developed SatisfactionSend us Fan MailYour career was never meant to be a straight line, and trying to force it into one is where a lot of stress begins. Greg and I break down a simple model that instantly makes work feel more navigable: business cycles and career cycles move through expansion, peak, contraction, and bottom phases. When you can name the phase you are in, you stop spiraling over normal change and start making clearer choices about your next move, your energy, and what success really means right now.We walk through what each business...
2026-04-0320 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesStop Waiting For Permission And Start Building Your Leadership PathSend us Fan MailThe promotion you’re waiting for isn’t late—it’s not coming. Greg and I take a hard look at how careers actually advance today and share a practical blueprint to stop waiting for permission and start building momentum, whether you’re aiming for leadership or technical mastery. From shrinking training budgets to selective programs that rarely include everyone, we unpack why relying on your company to develop you can leave you stalled for years—and what to do instead.We break down small, sustainable moves that compound: stacking affordable education, u...
2026-03-2723 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesEgo and Humility, The Two-Edge Sword of LeadershipSend us Fan MailWhat happens to a team when confidence turns brittle and the smartest person in the room insists on being the only mind that matters? Greg and I pull back the curtain on the real tension leaders face every day: using ego to step forward while using humility to keep the room speaking up. Through a candid story of an insecure yet brilliant manager and the breakthrough of “11 minds over one,” we show how cultures don’t collapse from missed metrics first—they collapse when conversation dies.Across this deep-dive, we map the prac...
2026-03-2025 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesHard, Not Hopeless: The Sweet Spot Of Stretch GoalsSend us Fan MailReady to set goals that feel ambitious, doable, and worth the effort? Greg and I dig into the craft of stretch goals and show how to design targets that motivate teams, protect resources, and deliver results you can take to the board with confidence. From facilities operations to HR recruiting, we share battle-tested stories that turn theory into practice.We start with a simple truth: data is a shield when it reflects real work. You’ll hear how tying pay to documented hours fixed compliance, revealed workload, and stopped misguided cuts. We...
2026-03-0621 min
Contractor GuysThe Contractor Guys with special guest, Charlie Robinson of Charlie's InteriorsThe Contractor Guys, Greg Powell and Gary “The Caveman” Crovo, welcome back special guest Charlie Robinson of Charley’s Interiors for a return visit you won’t want to miss! As a trusted kitchen and bath remodeling expert, Charlie brings fresh insights, practical advice, and plenty of real-world experience to the conversation.Tune in as the guys dive into the latest trends, smart design tips, and remodeling must-knows, all delivered with Greg and Gary’s signature humor and style. Enjoy great music from Dogs Eye View, and don’t miss...
2026-03-0242 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesAcceptance - Not Authority - Unlocks PerformanceSend us Fan MailChange arrives with a new title, but trust doesn’t. Greg and I dive into the first 90 days of leadership and show how acceptance—not authority—unlocks performance, psychological safety, and durable culture. From replacing stiff reviews with coffee chats to hosting open listening sessions, we map the simple behaviors that turn wary teams into willing partners.John shares a powerful story about a lead electrician ready to quit over five cents, revealing how dignity and respect outweigh compensation. A single meeting surfaced unspoken praise, retired the “devil’s advocate” label, and transfor...
2026-02-2724 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesLeaders Thrive When They Ask Better Questions Of Their DataSend us Fan MailWhat if the most powerful analytics tool in your organization is the data you already collect? Greg and I dive into the mindset shift leaders need to make statistics useful: start with clear definitions, ask sharper questions, and turn simple datasets—like power bills and budgets—into fast, confident decisions. Along the way, we unpack a laugh-out-loud “seasonal days” misread, then translate it into a serious lesson about literacy, control, and focusing on variables you can actually change.We trace a bigger story too: how newspapers lost ground by comparing themselves only to...
2026-02-2027 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesOwnership Beats Oversight: A Practical Path To Trust And On‑Time WorkSend us Fan MailEver feel like you’re carrying your team’s deadlines on your back? We dive into a real story from a manufacturing floor where late, incomplete reports were wrecking schedules, burning out a supervisor, and eroding trust. The fix wasn’t louder emails or tighter control—it was Management by Responsibility, a practical way to turn fuzzy expectations into clear, co-created agreements that people actually keep.Join John and Greg as they walk through Maria’s shift from micromanaging to facilitating ownership. First came clarity: a defined purpose for the weekly report, ex...
2026-02-1418 minContractor GuysThe Contractor Guys with Special Guest, Jim Fairbanks of Air American Heating and Air ConditioningGreg Powell and Gary “The Caveman” Crovo are back with more laughs and cool-headed conversation, joined once again by Jim Fairbanks of Air American Heating and Air Conditioning. Expect plenty of playful back-and-forth, hot-and-cold commentary, and straight answers as Greg, Gary, and Jim dive deep into everything air conditioning and heating. Originally aired: October 9, 1996How did you like the show? Send us a text! All conversations between the hosts and guests are meant to be lighthearted and entertaining as well as informative. Some information presented as fact may have changed since the time of rec...
2026-02-1146 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesScott Adams Lessons For Real-World LeadershipSend us Fan MailOffice life can feel like a maze of meetings, vague goals, and energy-sucking routines—and that’s exactly why Scott Adams’ ideas still hit home. Join John and Greg as they unpack the practical playbook behind the humor and explore how to turn everyday skills, smarter systems, and a sharper mindset into real career momentum.We start with talent stacking, the underrated strategy of combining ordinary abilities into a rare and valuable mix. You’ll hear how a winding path—from hands-on technical work to leadership and communication—can add up to a distinc...
2026-02-0613 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesOwnership Builds People, Control Breaks CultureSend us Fan MailFeeling like the bottleneck at work? We break down a simple, human framework that helps supervisors stop rescuing and start leading, so teams think, anticipate, and own results. Drawing on Management by Responsibility (MBR), we share practical shifts that move you from control to genuine ownership without losing standards or speed.Greg and John start with the supervisor trap—why well-intentioned fixes lead to late nights, frustrated teams, and stalled growth. Then we reframe leadership around voluntary responsibility, showing how better questions spark better thinking: “What outcomes are you aiming for?” and “W...
2026-01-3018 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesWhat Happens When Innovation Serves People, Not ProcessesSend us Fan MailWhat if your tech stack made people feel more capable, more connected, and more heard? We dive into a people-first playbook for leaders, educators, and builders who want technology to amplify human potential rather than squeeze it into a workflow. From high-fidelity remote collaboration that makes distributed teams feel in the room to mobile video that turns solo field work into instant teamwork, John and Greg share practical stories that reveal how the right tools can boost confidence, speed problem-solving, and strengthen trust.We break down the leadership habits that make...
2026-01-2319 minContractor GuysThe Contractor Guys Greg & Barry with Special Guest, Ken Ward of Design MasonryThe Contractor Guys featuring Greg Powell and Barry McKeever bring knowledge, laughs, and real-world construction talk together in one can’t-miss show. With plenty of great banter and insider insight, Greg and Barry break down the building world in a way that’s both informative and entertaining. This episode welcomes special guest Ken Ward of Design Masonry, sharing expert perspective and stories from the field. Listeners can test their skills with construction trivia for prizes by calling in with the correct answers, all while enjoying great music along the way. Smart, fun...
2026-01-1928 minContractor GuysThe Contractor Guys, Greg and Gary Discuss Topics of the Day.The Contractor Guys blog is where smart building talk meets nonstop fun. Hosted by Greg Powell and Gary Crovo, the show features real conversations with real listeners, taking calls, answering questions, and giving away prizes along the way. Alongside practical insights and expert advice, Greg and Gary keep things loose with plenty of banter, laughs, and personality. The soundtrack? Classic songs by the Beatles, played in honor of Britain’s legendary rock and roll bands. It’s informative, entertaining, and never boring, just the way a great contractor show should be. Originally aired: June 13, 1996How...
2026-01-0958 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesAI-Powered Retention: Practical Playbook For ManagersSend us Fan MailRetention is changing fast, and so are the tools leaders can use to keep people engaged, growing, and proud to stay. We explore how supervisors and managers can blend real human coaching with smart AI insights to protect high performers, prevent burnout, and turn feedback into visible progress. The conversation starts with why people leave—stalled growth, weak communication, unfair loads, and unclear rewards—then moves into a practical framework that any manager can start using this week.Greg and I map clear job levels and competencies, show how to craft indi...
2026-01-0922 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesThe Hidden Skill Of Leadership: Friendship As Emotional ResilienceSend us Fan MailLeadership shouldn’t feel like a solo climb. When pressure builds and decisions stack up, the difference between burning out and bouncing back is often a small circle of real friends who listen, challenge, and show up. We explore how to go beyond likes and contacts to build genuine connection that strengthens emotional resilience and makes you a better leader and a better human.Greg and I unpack why “more networking” isn’t the answer if it stays shallow. You’ll hear a candid audit of contacts vs. close friends, a simple cad...
2026-01-0224 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesCulture Is What You DoSend us Fan MailCulture isn’t a poster on the wall; it’s the behavior people feel every day. We unpack how leadership at all levels turns values into action, why true empowerment requires daily coaching, and how identity and mission shape whether a job becomes a source of pride or just a paycheck. Through candid stories—earning a vice president title the hard way, and a bracing town hall where new owners announced a site closure—we explore what happens when culture aligns and when it collapses under pressure.Greg and I walk through...
2025-12-2624 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesTrust First, Bias Last: The Real Work Of Inclusive LeadershipSend us Fan MailEver watched a meeting get hijacked by the loudest voice and wondered what real inclusion would look like instead? We unpack the concrete moves that turn leadership ideals into daily practice: listening before speaking, setting fair norms, inviting quieter voices, and designing systems that help everyone contribute at full capacity—whether your team is in-office, remote, or somewhere in between.We start by redefining inclusion beyond diversity metrics and get into the manager habits that actually shift culture: humility over ego, curiosity over certainty, and openness over optics. Greg shares how mo...
2025-12-1920 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesThe Hidden Cost Of Leadership: LonelinessSend us Fan MailEver felt the room get quieter the moment your title got louder? John and Greg unpacking the hidden epidemic of leadership loneliness—why it shows up, how it quietly shapes decisions and culture, and the practical moves that bring leaders back into real connection without sacrificing authority.We start with the masks leaders are taught to wear: projecting certainty, playing it cool on camera, and carrying confidential decisions alone. From early supervision lessons to high-stakes executive calls, we trace how distance builds, especially in remote and hybrid settings where spontaneity disappears an...
2025-12-1220 minContractor GuysContractor Guys with Special Guest, Ray Faz of Catalina PoolsGet ready for another lively round with The Contractor Guys, hosted by Greg Powell, Kurt Bohmer, and Barry McKeever. This week, the crew welcomes special guest Ray Faz of Catalina Pools, who dives into the latest trends, challenges, and stories from the world of pool design and construction.The phone lines stay hot with plenty of call-ins, bringing real questions, real characters, and real laughs. And of course, the guys keep the energy rolling with sharp wit, good-natured ribbing, and the kind of industry smarts only seasoned contractors can deliver.Don’t...
2025-12-0952 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesLessons I Wish I Knew Before Managing A TeamSend us Fan MailPromotions feel like arrival, but the real journey starts when the title lands and the gap between managing tasks and leading people becomes painfully clear. The guys unpack "What we wish we knew before stepping up!" How credibility is earned in action, why clarity beats complexity, and how to build trust that survives crises, change, and long weeks.John shares a defining story from the plant floor—a fire, a split-second decision, and the moment a young supervisor became a leader in his team’s eyes. Greg takes us into...
2025-12-0519 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesFrom Five-Year Plans To Flexible Goals: The Quiet Edge of High PerformingSend us Fan MailPredicting the future won’t make your team faster, but building a plan you can adapt will. John and Greg dive into strategic vision that survives uncertainty by shifting the spotlight from rigid five-year promises to flexible execution, concrete process goals, and review rhythms that actually move the needle. Along the way, we compare outcome goals to process goals, show how quarterly and monthly check-ins create momentum, and explain why ambitious targets outperform vague intentions when they’re framed with SMART criteria and measured through meaningful KPIs.We share practical tools lead...
2025-11-2122 minContractor GuysContractor Guys Christmas special. Gary Interviews Greg Powell & Tim "The Tilemann" Goldrick It’s a special Christmas episode of The Contractor Guys! Greg Powell and Gary “The Caveman” Crovo are back, with Gary turning the tables to interview Greg about how he got started in HVACR. Tim “The Tileman” Goldrick also calls in to chat about tile and add some holiday fun. And, enjoy a lineup of rarely heard Christmas music! Originally broadcast December 20, 1999How did you like the show? Send us a text! All conversations between the hosts and guests are meant to be lighthearted and entertaining as well as informative. Some information presented as fact may h...
2025-11-1239 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesReady to Lead - OK - Prove it, Show me your resume! Part 1Send us Fan MailPromotions rarely hinge on perfect reports—they hinge on proof that you grow people, steer outcomes, and communicate when it counts. John and greg open with a simple shift that changes everything: start with WIIFM—the listener’s “what’s in it for me”—and build leadership from the audience’s needs, not your talking points. From there, we map the real hiring filters (degrees, certifications, years of experience, capital projects, budget responsibility), how applicant tracking systems screen you in or out, and why “potential” without preparation keeps you parked.We get practical about...
2025-10-2423 minContractor GuysGreg and Brenden Discuss Life on MarsGreg Powell and Brenden Cassidy take the mic (while Gary’s away) for a classic open-mic Contractor Guys episode filled with laughs, real talk, and a few out-of-this-world tangents... literally, life on Mars! Greg juggles real-time air conditioning calls, dropping practical tips, quick fixes, and maintenance hacks, all while fielding some unforgettable calls from colorful characters. With Steve Miller tunes spinning between stories, this one’s pure Contractor Guys gold, laid-back, funny, and surprisingly insightful.Originally aired: July 8, 1996How did you like the show? Send us a text! All conversations between the hosts and g...
2025-10-1539 minSuccess Secrets and StoriesWhy Your Most Powerful Leadership Tool Might Be JoySend us Fan MailEver wondered why some workplaces seem to hum with energy while others feel like productivity graveyards? The answer might surprise you. Leadership experts John Wandolowski and Greg Powell unpack the fascinating connection between workplace joy and bottom-line results in this eye-opening conversation.Backed by compelling research, they reveal that companies fostering workplace happiness see 21% higher profitability than their competitors. This isn't just feel-good fluff—it's neuroscience. When we experience joy, our brains release dopamine, enhancing memory, learning, and creative problem-solving. Perhaps most shocking: when researchers asked 15,000 professionals where they got their be...
2025-10-1023 minContractor GuysThe Contractor Guys with special guest, Charlie Robinson of Charlie's InteriorsThe Contractor Guys, Greg Powell and Gary “The Caveman” Crovo welcome special guest Charlie Robinson of Charlie’s Interiors, a kitchen and bath remodeling expert. Get ready to be informed and entertained as they dive into Charlie’s insights. Plus, don’t miss the fun phone callers who keep things lively with their questions and comments, all delivered with Greg and Gary’s signature humor and style.This podcast is an archive from the radio show that aired originally on December 7, 1995.How did you like the show? Send us a text! All co...
2025-10-0734 min