Dirt Talk Podcast Summary: Monday Q&A – DT 309

Podcast Information:

• Title: Dirt Talk by BuildWitt
• Host: Aaron BuildWitt
• Episode: Monday Q&A – DT 309
• Release Date: February 3, 2025

1. Navigating Leadership with Limited Experience

In this segment, Aaron delves into the challenges and strategies associated with leading or working under leaders who lack extensive experience. He approaches the topic from two perspectives: supporting inexperienced leaders and managing one's response when under such leadership.

Supporting Inexperienced Leaders: Aaron emphasizes patience and understanding when dealing with young or inexperienced leaders. He states, “Leadership is a skill. It takes a long time to build up those skills” (03:45). He advocates for offering guidance and sharing personal experiences to help these leaders grow, fostering an environment where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities rather than setbacks.

Managing Under Inexperienced Leadership: Conversely, Aaron advises those working under inexperienced leaders to offer support and maintain a respectful stance. He mentions, “The more I can support that leader, the better... it's going to help my team, that is going to help the company, that is going to help my career in the long term” (20:15). He acknowledges the difficulty of this approach, especially if the leader exhibits negative behaviors, but reinforces the importance of humility and support for personal and organizational growth.

2. Scaling a Business from Solo to Team

Aaron shares his personal journey of scaling his business from a one-person operation to a thriving team. His approach was problem-focused rather than growth-driven, ensuring that scaling was a natural progression aligned with the company’s needs.

Initial Strategy: Aaron began by concentrating on solving workforce challenges for dirt world companies through storytelling, photography, and social media. As demand grew, he opted to outsource specialized tasks rather than develop these skills internally. “I made the decision to double down on social media, on photography, on storytelling for the dirt world and I leveraged others to do the other stuff in a very low cost, low risk way” (10:30).

Building the Team: He strategically hired contractors on a 1099 basis, allowing both parties to assess compatibility without long-term commitment. This method facilitated a gradual and low-risk expansion of the team. Aaron recounts, “We still use people as contract today to get to know them. They get to know us. And if they are the right fit, we're the right fit for them” (14:50).

Reflecting on Scaling Decisions: Aaron reflects on the complexities of scaling, noting that while growth can increase impact, it also introduces new challenges. He advises entrepreneurs to scale with intention, focusing on solving valuable problems and maintaining strong fundamentals. “If you're doing the fundamentals right, if you're solving a valuable problem, you will find scale along the way if that's where you want to go” (24:10).

3. Pursuing a Bachelor's in Construction Management: Strategies for Success

Aaron offers comprehensive advice for individuals aspiring to obtain a bachelor's degree in construction management, highlighting practical steps to minimize financial burdens and maximize career opportunities.

Choosing the Right Program: He recommends staying in-state to significantly reduce tuition costs. “I went to Arizona State and I'm going to stay in state. Because at the time, tuition was a small fraction, and still is, of going out of state” (27:05).

Leveraging Scholarships and Work Experience: Aaron underscores the abundance of scholarships available specifically for construction management students, advising applicants to apply widely. Additionally, he stresses the importance of gaining hands-on experience by working in the field during summers and part-time during the academic year. “Working every summer in the field because I was in construction management... I was able to pay for my entire degree. No debt, not a single loan” (30:20).

Financial Independence: By combining scholarships and work, Aaron successfully financed his education without incurring debt, allowing him to reinvest savings into his business. He highlights the long-term benefits of this approach, including financial stability and entrepreneurial flexibility.

4. Strategies for Attracting the Next Generation to the Industry

Aaron addresses the pressing issue of workforce turnover and the need to attract younger talent to the construction industry. He posits that the solution begins internally, with the existing workforce setting positive examples and fostering a supportive environment.

Personal Accountability and Role Modeling: Aaron urges individuals to first assess and improve their own work-life balance, job satisfaction, and personal well-being. “Am I a great example? Do I work hard? Do I enjoy what I do? Do I support those around me?” (35:40). He believes that by embodying these qualities, current professionals can naturally attract the next generation.

Communication and Education: He stresses the importance of openly discussing the industry’s work and its societal impact. Utilizing platforms like LinkedIn, Aaron encourages sharing experiences, project insights, and educational content to demystify the construction process. “Talk about how a highway is built without any reference to what you do day to day... you can still talk about how a road is built even without pictures in general” (38:15).

Community and Family Involvement: Aaron suggests involving family and community members in understanding the nature of construction work. This grassroots approach can build broader appreciation and interest in the industry. “Start at the dinner table, start at home, start in your community” (40:05).

Addressing Industry Challenges: He acknowledges the negative aspects prevalent in the construction industry, such as mental health issues and high turnover rates. Aaron asserts that resolving these internal challenges is crucial for creating an environment that is appealing to newcomers. “Until we as individuals solve those problems for ourselves, and we as companies and as leaders help our people solve those problems for them, I don't think we necessarily have the right to focus just exclusively on attract, attract, attract” (42:30).

Long-Term Success: Aaron concludes by emphasizing that companies effectively recruiting the next generation are those that set positive internal examples, leading to sustainable growth and industry success. “The best in class companies right now that are recruiting the next generation very effectively, that are making more money than they've ever made before... are doing exactly this” (44:50).

Conclusion

In this episode of Dirt Talk, Aaron BuildWitt provides insightful responses to listener questions, covering essential topics such as leadership development, strategic business scaling, education pathways in construction management, and fostering the next generation within the industry. His emphasis on internal improvement, strategic planning, and effective communication offers valuable guidance for professionals in the dirt world and construction sectors.

For more insights and to submit questions for future episodes, listeners are encouraged to visit dirttalkillwood.com or connect via Instagram.

Stay tuned and stay dirty!