Contractor Bitesize books
Summarises the most important elements and ideas from books in the world of business, leadership, lifestyle, personal growth, mindset and applies the ideas specifically for contractors and construction business owners operating in the $0.5M to 5M revenue range.
Episodes
20 episodes
The Job That Nearly Broke Me — And What It Taught Me About Influence
You don’t lose jobs because of price.You lose them because people don’t trust you — yet.In this episode, we walk through one high-stakes project that pushed everything to the edge:a cold client, a flat crew, a blown deadline... a...
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5:43
Hard to Replace: How to Stop Competing and Start Leading - Zero To One
You didn’t plan to be the boss — but here you are, drowning in decisions, juggling chaos, and wondering how to make the business less dependent on you. In this episode, we break down Zero to One by Peter Thiel — not for tech bros, but ...
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7:26
Freedom Comes from Values, Not Hustle - What Patagonia’s Founder Can Teach Construction Owners About Building a Business That Actually Feels Good to Run
You’re not lazy. You’re just tired of running a business that pulls you away from what matters.In this episode, we unpack the bold business philosophy of Yvon Chouinard—founder of Patagonia—and apply it directly to the construction world...
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6:36
What a Roman Emperor Can Teach You About Running a Construction Business
Clients flake. Employees slack. Jobs go sideways. And somehow, you’re supposed to stay calm, focused, and in control?In this episode of Builder’s Book Brief, we tap into the 2,000-year-old wisdom of Marcus Aurelius
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10:12
You’re Making Good Money—So Why Do You Still Feel Broke?
You're finally bringing in real revenue—$500K, $1M, maybe more. But between the overhead, the chaos, and the late-night quote runs, you’re still feeling stressed, stretched, and stuck in survival mode.In this episode of Buil...
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5:23
If You Disappeared for 4 Weeks… Would Your Business Survive?
If your construction business depends on you being on every site, solving every problem, and replying to every text—you don’t own a business. You own a job.In this episode of Builder’s Book Brief, we unpack Clockwork...
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4:57
Why Your Crew Doesn’t Care—And How to Fix It
You can’t build a business that runs without you if your crew only works when you’re watching.In this episode of Builder’s Book Brief, we break down Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek—a sharp, honest look at ...
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5:04
Do Less. Build Better: Essentialism for Overwhelmed Construction Owners
If your construction business is doing $500K to $5M a year, but your days are packed with chaos, client calls, and crew questions—you’re not lazy. You’re just saying yes to too much.In this episode of Builder’s Book Brief, we br...
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4:55
Raise Your Standard, Not Your Voice: How Real Leaders Win in Construction
In this episode of Builder’s Book Brief, we break down The Score Takes Care of Itself by Bill Walsh, and reframe it for construction business owners doing $500K–$5M/year who are trying to scale a business, lead a...
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5:46
Ben Franklin for Contractors: Habits, Systems & Freedom from the Tools
In this episode of Builder’s Book Brief, we break down timeless lessons from The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin—the original self-made tradesman who scaled himself out of the shop and into legacy work.If you’...
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6:19
The Art of War for Contractors: Win Without Burnout, Chaos, or Price Wars
In this episode of Builder’s Book Brief, we translate Sun Tzu’s Art of War—written 2,500 years ago—into a modern battle plan for construction business owners doing $500K–$5M a year.If your company constantly feels like ...
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5:54
Scale Without Chaos: Rockefeller Habits for Construction Business Owners
If your construction business is in that $500K–$5M range, and you’re still making every decision, solving every problem, and holding everything together by force of will—this episode is for you.We break down Mastering the Rockefel...
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Episode 10
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6:41
“Self-Help” for Builders: Timeless Lessons on Grit, Growth, and Building a Life That Lasts
In this episode of Builder’s Book Brief, we break down Self-Help by Samuel Smiles (1859)—the original personal development book that inspired generations of craftsmen, entrepreneurs, and self-made leaders....
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Episode 9
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7:27
Radical Candor – How to Lead Your Crew Without Being a Jerk (or a Doormat)
Tired of walking on eggshells with your crew—or blowing up and regretting it later?In this episode of Craftsman to Owner, we unpack Radical Candor by Kim Scott and show how construction business owners can lead with bot...
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Episode 8
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7:05
Turn the Ship Around – How to Build a Crew That Leads Without You
If you’re the one answering every question, solving every problem, and dragging your crew across the finish line—Turn the Ship Around! by L. David Marquet is your leadership wake-up call.In this episode of Craftsman to Owner...
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Episode 7
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7:16
$100M Offers – How Contractors Can Create Offers So Good Clients Say Yes Fast
Tired of clients asking you to lower your price?In this episode of Craftsman to Owner, we break down $100M Offers by Alex Hormozi and show you how to stop competing on price—and start creating offers that clients feel l...
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Episode 6
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7:01
Extreme Ownership – What Navy SEAL Leadership Looks Like on a Construction Site
Can battlefield leadership principles help you run a better construction business?In this episode of Craftsman to Owner, we break down Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin—and translate it directly for cont...
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Episode 5
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6:48
The ONE Thing – How Construction Business Owners Can Cut Through the Chaos
If your to-do list is 30 items long and your phone won’t stop buzzing, The ONE Thing by Gary Keller is the mindset shift you need.In this episode of Craftsman to Owner, we break down this bestselling productivity book a...
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Episode 4
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6:32
Good to Great by Jim Collins – What Construction Business Owners Need to Know
What separates good construction companies from truly great ones?In this episode of Craftsman to Owner, we break down Good to Great by Jim Collins and reframe it specifically for builders and contractors doing $500K–$5M/y...
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Episode 3
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7:21
Build on Principles, Not Panic – Ray Dalio’s Playbook for Clearer Thinking in Construction
Ever feel like you’re making decisions on the fly, solving the same problems again and again? In this episode of Builder’s Book Brief, we break down Principles by billionaire investor Ray Dalio—and apply his thinking to the da...
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Episode 1
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6:34