Why Construction Needs a New Kind of Leadership

Construction has long prioritized getting the job done, often at the expense of the people doing the work. In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas sits down with Henry Nutt III, a Preconstruction Executive at Southland Industries, to explore how leadership, empathy, and intentional people management can reshape jobsite culture—and why these shifts are critical as the industry confronts a growing mental health crisis.

Drawing on nearly four decades in construction, Henry shares lessons from his own leadership journey, including why managing people requires a fundamentally different skill set than managing projects, and how trust, vulnerability, and consistency can drive stronger teams, better retention, and healthier workplaces.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why construction has historically struggled with people management—and the cost of maintaining the status quo
• How empathy and vulnerability show up in real jobsite leadership, not just policy statements
• The connection between leadership behavior, mental health, and performance in construction
• Why saying “I don’t know” can be a strength, not a liability
• What leaders can do to create safer, more human workplaces where people want to stay
• How intentional mentorship and leadership development help rebuild trust across teams

Henry also reflects on difficult conversations, second chances, and how leaders set the tone—whether they realize it or not. The result is a candid conversation about responsibility, mindset, and what it takes to lead people well in one of the industry’s most demanding environments.