Forward-Thinking Leaders Build Stronger in Summer

Summer might bring slower sales or lighter schedules, but for leaders in the building products industry, it also offers a valuable opportunity to transform your team.  

Today’s talent landscape is shifting. Workforce expectations are evolving, markets are tightening, and leadership gaps are becoming more visible.  

If you want to stay ahead, now is the time to make strategic moves that strengthen your team from within.

1. Reassess Your Current Team Dynamics

Take stock of your current structure. Are you organized for the market you're in or the one you're preparing for? Are your roles clearly defined? Do you have the right people in leadership? Summer is the right time to ask hard questions.  

Who on your team is ready to grow? Who needs coaching or skill development? Are your top performers being challenged and supported? Revisit your org chart as a tool that reflects where you are going, not just where you’ve been.

2. Refresh Your Talent Pipeline

Top talent is always open to opportunity. Many leaders go quiet in the summer months, but this is the perfect time to stay active. Use this window to connect with passive candidates, re-engage people who were interested in the past, and build a list of specialists you may need in the months ahead. Hiring might not happen immediately, but building a bench now gives you a strong advantage later.

3. Rebuild Trust with Stay Interviews

Exit interviews come too late. Stay interviews give you a chance to understand what keeps your best people engaged. Block off time for one-on-one conversations with your high-potential team members. Ask what’s working for them, what drains their energy, and what would make them consider leaving. These check-ins open the door to honest feedback and help you keep your top performers before they start looking elsewhere.

4. Reset Expectations and Re-Align Goals

Some teams slip into autopilot. Summer gives you a natural chance to reset. Bring everyone together and clarify what success looks like for the next 90 days. Make sure individual goals are aligned with company priorities. Revisit your pace and adjust where needed. Strong teams stay connected by checking in often and making sure everyone is rowing in the same direction.

5. Reignite Culture and Purpose

When things get busy, culture can take a backseat. Use the slower season to bring your team’s purpose back into focus. Host a leadership session. Acknowledge progress. Talk about what matters beyond the daily numbers. People want to feel that their work has meaning. Reinforcing that message helps reconnect your team to the bigger picture.

Don’t Waste the Window

You don’t need to tear everything down to transform your team. Start by being intentional. Small moments of focus and follow-through lead to bigger changes over time.  

At The Bridger Group, we work with companies in the building products industry to hire the people who make these transformations possible. Whether you are growing your leadership bench or building your team for what’s next, we are here to help.

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