Servant Leadership in Construction: How Real Mentorship Transforms Teams and Builds Success
The construction industry is evolving fast, but one challenge remains consistent: attracting, developing, and retaining skilled talent. For leaders focused on construction leadership, team management, and operational efficiency, the solution starts with authentic mentorship and clear communication. In a recent episode of Construction Trailblazers, workforce development expert Josh Nieves shares powerful insights from his journey—from an 18-year-old apprentice struggling to find his way in New York City, to a mentor dedicated to transforming young lives through servant leadership. His story reveals how investing in people, not just processes, can change the game for construction businesses and the entire industry.
If you’re a construction business owner or leader who wants to build a thriving, loyal workforce while improving communication and efficiency, this episode is packed with actionable lessons you don’t want to miss.
Key Takeaways from the Episode
Servant leadership is essential: Leading with empathy and support helps build trust and accountability.
Clear, transparent communication wins: Lay out pay, career paths, and culture openly—don’t gatekeep information.
Invest in real mentorship: Walking alongside new talent creates loyalty and long-term success.
Culture and growth opportunities matter: Employees want to see clear pathways, not dead-end roles.
Continual training is a must: Evolving industries require leaders to invest in ongoing education.
Servant Leadership: Changing the Narrative in Construction
Josh recalls how, early in his career, the old-school tough-guy attitude dominated construction. "He’ll figure it out," was the common refrain when someone struggled. But Josh experienced something different. When he was lost navigating New York City as a young apprentice, someone literally took his hand, showed him the subway map, and helped him get home. This kind of hands-on, compassionate leadership is rare but essential.
For today’s construction leaders, embracing servant leadership means seeing your role as a resource, not just a boss. When workers struggle, they need support—not ego-driven criticism. By investing in people, you build loyalty and reduce turnover, which directly boosts team productivity and project efficiency.
Transparency Builds Trust and Engagement
One of Josh’s strongest points is the need for radical transparency—especially around compensation and growth. A paycheck alone won’t attract or keep talent; workers can get that at fast food chains or retail. Construction businesses must clearly communicate:
Pay scales and benefits
Career pathways beyond entry roles
Company culture and values
Josh highlights how some companies, like Buc-ee’s, display their pay and benefits upfront—no secrets, no smoke and mirrors. This approach respects workers’ intelligence and time, building trust from the first interaction.
Mentorship: More Than Just Training, It’s Walking Together
Mentorship isn’t just teaching skills; it’s about walking beside someone until they can confidently walk on their own. Josh shares a powerful story about a student who doubted opportunities like this could be real for him. Josh committed to doing whatever it takes to help that young man succeed—just like someone once did for Josh.
This hands-on, personal approach builds deep loyalty and transforms lives. For construction leaders, this means carving out time and resources to mentor your team actively. Whether it’s sitting down for lunch to talk through doubts or guiding someone through their apprenticeship, mentorship is an investment that pays dividends.
Culture and Career Growth: Keep Your Team Engaged
Retention is a huge issue in construction. Josh points out that companies must offer more than just a single role. Workers want to know:
What’s next after the entry-level position?
Are there leadership or specialized paths?
What ongoing training and education can they expect?
Showing clear career pathways and reinforcing core values keeps people motivated and engaged. A strong culture is a key differentiator in today’s competitive labor market.
Training and Adaptability: Preparing for the Future
The construction industry is not immune to technology and change. Josh emphasizes continual education and training as critical, especially with new tools like AI starting to impact construction workflows.
Leaders who prioritize ongoing skill development prepare their teams—and businesses—to stay competitive. Workforce development is not a one-time event but a continual journey.
Josh Nieves’ story and insights remind us that construction leadership is ultimately about people. Building efficient, successful teams starts with authentic support, clear communication, and investing in the growth of every individual.
If you want to learn more about transforming your construction business through servant leadership and workforce development, listen to the full episodes of Construction Trailblazers click here.
We’d love to hear your thoughts—what’s your biggest challenge with team leadership and mentorship? Connect with us on LinkedIn to keep the conversation going.