March 19, 2026

521 :: How Leaders Fall Into the Folly of Rewarding the Wrong Behaviors

521 :: How Leaders Fall Into the Folly of Rewarding the Wrong Behaviors
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Are you accidentally rewarding the very behaviors that are holding your team back?

 

Most leaders assume underperformance comes down to skill gaps or lack of effort. But what if the real problem isn’t your people—it’s your design?

 

In this episode, we uncover a hard truth: your team isn’t confused… they’re responding exactly to the incentives you’ve created.

 

If results aren’t lining up with expectations, it’s not a communication issue—it’s a misalignment.

 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why incentives shape behavior more powerfully than values or intentions
  • How to spot the hidden gaps between what you say you want and what you actually reward
  • Practical ways to realign incentives so your team drives the results you’re aiming for

 

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start designing a team that performs at a higher level, this episode will show you where to start.

 

Press play to uncover what your incentives are really driving—and how to fix them.

 

Click HERE to read “On the Folly of Rewarding A, While Hoping for B” by Steven Kerr

 

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.