Advertise on podcast: Blue Collar Leadership

Most blue-collar leaders know they need to fix the obvious people mistakes. However, few realize they’re still struggling because they’ve been ignoring other common mistakes rooted in character and culture.   In Part 2 of 2 of this short podcast series, Mack Story breaks down 5 MORE common (and costly) mistakes new, and not-so-new, blue-collar leaders make, starting with the trap of focusing only on results while ignoring the character and culture of their team.   Mack doesn’t just point out the mistakes. He also gives you clear, practical “Fix It” tips to consider that you can actually use to lead with confidence, competence, and credibility.   If you’re ready to move past surface-level leadership that's based on your position and authority and start earning real respect and building trust with your team, this episode is for you.   This may be the commonsense Leadership 101 guide you’ve been looking for to help elevate your leadership ability. #leadershipdevelopment #leadership #leadershiptips #leadershiptraining #bluecollarleadership #supervisortraining

Most blue-collar leaders are promoted because they’re great at doing the work…not because they've proven they know how to lead people. The problem? They’re rarely given any real leadership development training, so they end up making costly mistakes that quietly damage their credibility, their teams, and their career. In this episode, Mack Story breaks down 5 common mistakes new (and not-so-new) blue-collar leaders make…from trying to stay “one of the guys” instead of stepping into real leadership, to avoiding the tough conversations that actually move the needle. And, he gives you practical, no-BS “Fix It” tips for each one. If you’ve ever felt like you’re winging it as a leader, this is the commonsense Leadership 101 guide you’ve been missing. #leadershipdevelopment #leadership #leadershiptips #leadershiptraining #bluecollarleadership #supervisortraining

Here’s the TRUTH most are missing: While your INDUSTRY has a labor shortage, your ORGANIZATION is actually operating in an environment filled with an abundance of available talent.   Everyone working for your competitors, every experienced tradesperson in your area, and every new graduate from high schools, trade schools and those exiting the military is potentially available to join your team.   The real question isn’t “How do we find people?”   The real question is “Why aren’t they choosing us?”   In this episode, I share 5 practical leadership strategies to fix your culture, attract top talent, reduce turnover, and build a true competitive advantage, even in a tight labor market.   If you’re tired of hearing the same old excuses and ready for real solutions, press play. Ready to transform your culture? Check out BlueCollarLeadership.com/culture #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #TalentAcquisition #Construction #Hiring #LeadershipDevelopment #Manufacturing #PublicWorks

In this interview, Paul Sanneman discusses: Why Most Contractors Struggle to Find Good Help (And How to Fix It)How to Building Winning Teams in ConstructionHow to Stop Making Bad HiresThe Real Secret to Hiring Reliable TradespeopleThe Impact of AI on the Recruiting ProcessThe Importance of Hiring Slow and Firing Fast In this episode of the Blue Collar Leadership Podcast, host Mack Story interviews Paul Sanneman, Founder and CEO of Contractor Staffing Source. With over 50 years of experience coaching and consulting thousands of construction companies, Paul founded Contractor Staffing Source to solve one of the industry’s biggest challenges: finding and hiring reliable, high-performing team members who fit a company’s culture. Specializing exclusively in recruiting for residential and commercial contractors across the U.S. and Canada, his firm handles the full hiring process so contractors can focus on building their businesses, strengthening their teams, improving profitability, and ultimately making more money in less time while having more fun. Mack and Paul explore practical leadership insights around attracting and retaining top blue-collar talent, building winning teams, and creating the kind of culture that drives long-term success in the trades. #contractor #recruiting #constructionlife #staffing #staffingsolutions  #construction #constructionindustry#bluecollarleadership

Albert Einstein said the significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking that created them. If you’re struggling with people, the real issue is usually your own character, not theirs. The solution isn’t in changing them; it’s in changing you. When you look in the mirror and accept responsibility instead of blaming others, everything starts getting better. Your influence grows, your results improve, and success shows up more often. High impact leaders take the blame when things go wrong and give credit to others when things go right. They know self-mastery is the hardest but most important work they’ll ever do. Stop waiting for others to change and start working on yourself. You are the problem, and you are also the solution.

If you’ve ever felt overlooked, passed up, or stuck despite your talent, this episode will challenge you to look in the mirror, take responsibility, and finally break through the wall that’s holding you back. In this eye-opening episode, Mack Story unpacks John C. Maxwell’s powerful truth: “Your character growth determines the height of your personal growth.” Drawing from real-world career stories and Norman Schwarzkopf’s sobering insight that “99% of leadership failures are failures in character,” Mack reveals why so many sharp, capable professionals remain trapped at the bottom of the corporate ladder…not because they lack skills or intelligence, but because their character is holding them back. You’ll hear about the “confused” people who blame the world, their bosses, and their co-workers while unknowingly sabotaging their own potential, discover the difference between getting hired for competency and getting promoted (or fired) for character, and learn why more degrees and technical training will never fix what only character-building can.

Mack Story explains that good character is built piece by piece through thought, choice, courage, and determination—not given like talent. Drawing from Henry Cloud’s idea that character is the ability to meet the demands of reality, he shares raw stories from his many years in the trades, including the hard lessons from dealing with his son Eric, where his lack of patience—a clear character flaw—led to ineffective control instead of true development. Mack breaks down how values shape our thoughts, feelings, and actions, and how our daily choices reveal our real character to our team. For supervisors, plant managers, and aspiring leaders in manufacturing, construction, and the skilled trades, this episode delivers simple, practical steps to spot blind spots, build patience, choose growth over control, and do the hard things until they become habits that strengthen you and your team.

In this very special 500th episode of the Blue Collar Leadership Podcast, Mack Story reunites with Derek Brown—the man who inspired him to launch the Blue Collar Leadership podcast eight years ago. Derek shares the story of how he and Mack first connected, his own powerful personal growth journey, the professional path that shaped him, and what he’s doing today as National Sales Director at CrewPlex, where he helps construction, industrial, and high-risk teams communicate safely and effectively in loud, demanding environments. Check out the products Derek offers at CrewPlex.com  With a focus on human-first leadership, sales coaching, and team development, Derek delivers real-world insights on growth, resilience, and leading people the right way—whether you’re on the shop floor, in the field, or running a team. This milestone conversation is both a heartfelt look back at the podcast’s beginnings and an inspiring forward look at what authentic leadership looks like in blue-collar industries today. If you’ve ever been impacted by the show, you won’t want to miss this one. #leadershippodcast #leadershiptips #bluecollarleadership #podcast #growthjourney

Practical, straightforward, and recorded for real blue-collar leaders, aspiring leaders, and workers who want to climb to the next level and beyond. In this special husband-and-wife episode, Mack and Ria Story give listeners a brief, practical overview of the eight core books in the Blue-Collar Leadership® Series—part of the 35 books they’ve published. They walk through the five 30-chapter/3 pages per chapter books: Blue-Collar Leadership® & Culture: The 5 Components for Building High Performance TeamsBlue-Collar Leadership®: Leading from the Front LinesBlue-Collar Leadership® & Teamwork: 30 Traits of High Impact PlayersBlue-Collar Leadership® & Supervision: Unleash Your Team’s PotentialBlue-Collar Kaizen: Leading Lean & Lean Teams Plus the three quick-hit Blue-Collar Leadership® Toolbox Tips books which are packed with 60 micro-lessons each. Mack and Ria share how frontline team members can use these books for personal growth and how formal leaders and supervisors can turn them into powerful team-development tools through short book studies or by sharing weekly Toolbox Tips. Whether you’re looking to build better habits, improve communication, strengthen culture, or lead change on the shop floor or the job site, this episode gives you the roadmap to start using these proven resources immediately—no matter your role or experience level. #bluecollarleadership #skilledtrades #leadershippodcast #leadershipdevelopment #workforcedevelopment

In this special tribute episode of Blue Collar Leadership, Mack Story honors the life and legacy of Bob Chapman, the legendary Chairman of Barry-Wehmiller who passed away on March 19, 2026. For over a decade, Mack has collected Bob’s most powerful quotes on leadership, culture, and what it truly means to put people before profits. In this episode, Mack shares 50 of those quotes—raw, practical, and deeply human—straight from the man who transformed a struggling manufacturing company into a multibillion-dollar global leader while building one of the most admired workplace cultures in the world. Whether you’re a frontline supervisor, plant manager, or CEO, these quotes will challenge how you think about leadership, inspire you to lead with more heart, and show you why Bob Chapman’s “Truly Human Leadership” philosophy remains more relevant today than ever. This is more than a tribute—it’s a masterclass in leadership from one of the greatest voices our industry has ever known. #leadership #bluecollarleadership #TrulyHumanLeadership #BobChampan #EverybodyMatters #servantleadership

Trust isn’t built through grand gestures—it’s earned (or lost) in the daily grind of promises kept or broken. This episode breaks down the core truth: what we think and say sets expectations, but only what we actually do defines our character. After we make a commitment, we’ll take one of three paths —follow through to make a trust deposit, ask to break the commitment and risk suspicion (depending on how often you do it and why), or break the commitment and trigger major distrust. For leaders aiming to grow influence without formal authority, the message is clear: prioritize congruency (actions aligned with words/walking the talk), value others’ time and expectations, and treat commitments made as unbreakable to avoid suspicion about motives. When you keep your word consistently, you create hope, foster loyalty, and turn your team into one that performs because they trust you.

At age 82, US Marine Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Wesley L. Fox still was still inspiring crowds with stories of the leaders who shaped him, none more than Corporal Myron J. Davis during the freezing nights of the Korean War. Facing demoralized troops eating frozen rations in the dark,  USMC Corporal Davis invested in a Coleman stove and insisted on carrying it himself—not for personal gain, but to ensure his squad could heat their food first. He passed it along without ever using it and always took the last, least desirable portions. Colonel Fox’s simple yet profound takeaway—“We knew he cared”—highlights how selfless acts demonstrate character and earn deep trust. Years later, at the Blue Ridge Conference on Leadership in 2013, Colonel Fox’s fist bump and connection with Mack Story showed he lived these values, teaching that real leadership isn’t about rank or perks—it’s about serving those you lead to build teams that endure any hardship.

Are you ready for an engaging discussion on building greater influence in your marriage? With humor and heart, Mack and Ria Story share relatable stories—like Mack's infamous laundry mishap—and delve into the 5 Love Languages, revealing how his preference for quality time complements her need for words of affirmation. This episode offers practical insights and lighthearted moments to help couples strengthen their connection. Note: This episode is also featured on as Episode #11 “Love Languages, Laundry Fiascos, and Relationship Lessons with Mack Story” on Ria Story’s “Grace Every Day” Podcast on her YouTube channel if you prefer to watch the video version. #bluecollarleadership #relationshiptips #relationshipadvice #intentionalliving #5LoveLanguages #The5LoveLanguages #bluecollarlife #skilledtrades

In the final part of this 3 part series, Mack Story reveals a dose of leadership truth from John Maxwell: “Children need unconditional love more than they need direction.” Kids—your own, grandkids (young crew members and apprentices too)—crave knowing you’ve got their back no matter what, way more than they need constant rules or fixes. This episode keeps it simple: show your children steady love first with quick encouragement, being there even when you’re wiped out from work, owning your screw-ups so they see it’s okay, and staying calm instead of losing it. #leadershippodast #bluecollarleadership #podcast #skilledtrades #growthmindset #emotionalintelligence

Mack Story started focusing on the hardest personal fight in Part 1—conquering yourself. In Part 2, he dives into maintaining self-mastery. Winning the fight inside yourself once is huge, but staying on top when the job gets long, the crew’s testing you, or life throws curveballs is what separates solid leaders from the rest. This episode keeps it real: spot when you start slipping (getting short-tempered, cutting corners, or letting frustration take over), build quick daily habits like taking a breath before you speak or owning your mistakes fast, and use that inner strength to stay calm, make smart calls, and earn respect without yelling. When you keep winning inside, you handle pressure better, your crew trusts you more, home life feels steadier, and people start following you because they want to—not because they have to. Self-control isn’t a one-time thing; it’s the daily grind that makes you the leader everyone wants to follow. #leadershippodast #bluecollarleadership #podcast #skilledtrades #growthmindset #emotionalintelligence