505 :: How a Century-Old Essay Changed My View of Growth in Construction (And Why It Still Matters Today)

What’s the right size for your business?

If your gut response is, “As big as possible!” you’re not alone. 

But that mindset can quietly invite unnecessary complexity, friction, and risk into your operation—especially when growth isn't planned or sustainable. 

In this episode, we challenge the default assumption that bigger is always better in construction. Using insights from a legendary 100-year-old essay by biologist JBS Haldane, we explore how biological limits in nature mirror organizational limits in business—and why ignoring them could be hurting your team more than helping it.

In this episode you will: 

• Discover the hidden trade-offs of scaling your construction business too soon
• Learn how biology explains why your systems are breaking as your team grows
• Get 3 crucial questions to ask before making your next big hire or opening a new branch

If you’re leading a growing team and feeling the strain, press play now to rethink your approach and regain control.

P.S. If you're a Charlie Munger fan/disciple like host Bradley Hartmann, this episode is a prime example of Munger’s call to think multidisciplinary—

using insights from biology to sharpen leadership and decision-making in construction.

At Bradley Hartmann & Company, we help construction teams improve sales, leadership,  and communication by reducing miscommunication, strengthening teamwork, and bridging language gaps between English and Spanish speakers. To learn more about our product offerings, visit bradleyhartmannandco.com.

The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You’ll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems—whether you’re leading a crew or managing an entire organization.

Have topic ideas or guest recommendations? Contact us at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.

New podcasts are dropped every Tuesday and Thursday.

This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.