Construction leadership development today requires more than toughness—it demands a human-centered approach to leading change.
In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Ed DeAngelis, CEO and Founder of EDA Contractors, to explore how trust, emotional intelligence, and curiosity are reshaping leadership in the construction industry.
As the AEC industry faces workforce challenges, change resistance, and increasing complexity, Ed shares why “humanity as a strategy” is not a soft skill—it’s a competitive advantage.
Together, they unpack how construction leaders can build psychological safety, strengthen culture, and create environments where people—and performance—improve together.
This conversation challenges the traditional “toughness” mindset in construction and offers a more effective path forward: one grounded in trust, self-awareness, and intentional leadership.
What you’ll learn:
- Why trust is the foundation of effective construction leadership
- How emotional intelligence improves team performance and retention
- Practical ways to build psychological safety on project teams
- Why resistance to change is often rooted in human experience
- How curiosity unlocks better leadership and business outcomes
Who this is for:
Construction leaders, executives, and AEC professionals focused on leadership development, culture, and leading change more effectively.
Chapters
02:10 - Entrepreneurial lessons from being a paperboy
07:01 - Industry roughness and the need for cultural change
12:14 - Balancing personal life and leadership growth
20:12 - Building trust through authentic connections
30:35 - Practices that foster curiosity and innovation
40:10 - The cost of neglecting humanity in business
47:59 - Redefining success beyond profit
Guest
Ed DeAngelis is Founder and CEO of EDA Contractors, a construction firm known for its people-first culture and innovative exterior envelope solutions.
With 25+ years of experience, Ed champions “Humanity as a Strategy,” integrating emotional intelligence, trust, and psychological safety into business performance and growth.
He serves on multiple industry and nonprofit boards and has been recognized as a Philadelphia Titan 100 CEO (2025) and one of the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs (2024).
https://info.edacontractors.com/ed-deangelis
Overcast Innovations
Helping project teams coordinate building systems earlier for more predictable outcomes.
New Lyfe Accounting
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Connective Consulting Group
Helping construction leaders simplify change, strengthen trust, and move forward with clarity.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryankware/
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https://connectiveconsultinggrp.com/
https://connective-coaching.com/
https://ryanware.me/
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