Where to Start Building Leadership in Small HVAC and Plumbing Teams

You started your business and you are busy. You hired another person, at first part time, and they are now full time. Then you added another. Maybe a few more. How does your leadership develop and grow as your business grows?

The challenges of growing a small business often revolve around technical expertise, customer service, and day-to-day operations. But when your business grows, even if it’s just you and one or two employees or contract workers, the need for leadership becomes clear.

Leadership may seem like something reserved for corporate CEOs, military generals, or heads of state. But in reality, leadership is just as critical for the small entrepreneur — maybe even more so.

The HVAC and plumbing industries are inherently hands-on, technical, and customer-focused. Leadership for small teams can feel less formal, more personal, and, at times, like a balancing act. Yet, even with just a few employees, the foundation of leadership is critical for success, growth and long-term sustainability.

If you’re an HVAC or plumbing entrepreneur wondering how to improve your leadership skills and develop the potential of your small team here’s how to get started with leadership development in a practical, down-to-earth way.

Understand What Leadership Means for You

Leadership in the HVAC and plumbing industries might not look the same as in a large organization with dozens of employees, a big organizational chart, or a corporate boardroom. But the fundamentals of leadership still apply. Leadership is about influence, direction, and setting a standard for others to follow, no matter how large or small your team is.

• Leading Yourself First: Before you can lead others, you need to lead yourself. That means staying disciplined, focused, and setting clear goals for yourself and your business. If you aren’t organized and proactive it is hard to direct others effectively.

• Model the Behavior You Want: Your team will take their cues from you. Show up on time, communicate clearly and demonstrate professionalism. Leading by example is one of the most straightforward and powerful ways to lead in small settings.

Emphasize Clear Communication

One of the simplest and most impactful leadership strategies for HVAC and plumbing entrepreneurs is clear communication. Poor communication causes confusion, mistakes and dissatisfaction among employees. This is especially true in the trades, where expectations need to be precise — whether it’s a job spec, a timeline, or how a customer should be handled.

• Set Expectations: Make sure your employees or contractors know exactly what is expected of them from the start. Whether it’s how to handle a job site, how to interact with customers, or what kind of tools to bring, clear expectations can reduce misunderstandings and increase job performance.

• Give Regular Positive Feedback: Don’t wait until something goes wrong to communicate. Regularly check in with your workers about what’s going well and what needs improvement. This doesn’t need to be formal — a quick conversation after a job can make a world of difference.

In small teams, feedback often feels more personal because of the close working relationship, and that’s exactly why it’s critical. Address issues early on and celebrate wins when they happen. Being proactive in communication builds trust and respect.

Embrace a Coach Mindset

As an HVAC or plumbing business owner with just a few workers, think of yourself as more of a coach than a boss. Coaches teach, guide and support their teams. They provide resources for success and help their team members grow.

• Train for Technical Mastery: Your people might need more guidance in certain areas, especially if they’re newer to the industry or less experienced. Take the time to train them properly, even if it slows things down initially. The upfront investment will pay off with more efficient, competent work down the road.

• Invest in Their Long-Term Career Development: Encourage your employees to develop new skills, attend training courses, and obtain additional certifications. Even if you have contractors, you can still provide opportunities for professional growth. Workers who feel like they’re advancing and learning are more engaged and likely to stay loyal to your business.

• Mentorship: Act as a mentor to your team, especially if you have younger or less experienced workers. Share your knowledge and experience, not only about the technical aspects of the job, but also about how to run a successful business, manage customers, and handle challenges. Be transparent about your business challenges and ask for their help in finding solutions.

Learn as You Grow

Many entrepreneurs in the HVAC and plumbing fields start their businesses because they’re excellent at the trade itself — not because they’ve had leadership training. And that’s okay.

Leadership can be learned and developed over time. Just because you didn’t start out as a leader doesn’t mean you can’t become one.

• Books and Online Resources: There are countless books, podcasts and webinars designed to teach leadership skills to small business owners. Look for resources specific to your industry or small business leadership in general. Books like “The Competent Leader” by Peter Stark and “Thrive” by Meridith Elliott Powell provide effective leadership principles that can apply to small teams.

• Use PHCC Conference Resources: There are some amazing leadership resources available from PHCC. My specific link from my session is www.ProductiveLeaders.com/2024-Success. Check out the Leader’s Blind Spot Assessment and The 12-Month Business Success and Accountability Planner to be proactive with your daily and strategic planning.

Focus on Creating a Strong Culture

Even if you only have one or two employees, the culture you create in your business matters. A positive work environment fosters loyalty, productivity, and better customer service. HVAC and plumbing businesses often rely heavily on word-of-mouth referrals, so creating a good working atmosphere that translates to great customer experiences is essential.

• Define Your Core Values: What does your business stand for? Is it reliability, honesty, or customer satisfaction? Your values should guide every decision, from how you handle a job to how you treat your workers. Make these values clear and act on them daily.

• Encourage Accountability: In a small team, accountability is key. Everyone must pull their weight, and that starts with you. Hold yourself accountable to your goals and standards, and expect the same from your team. A culture of accountability ensures that work is completed efficiently and that workers take pride in their responsibilities.

Lead Yourself

Running a business is hard work. It’s easy to burn out if you’re constantly putting out fires or trying to juggle all the responsibilities of business ownership.

• Manage Your Time: Prioritize your day, focusing on the most important tasks first. Learn to delegate (even if you only have one or two people) so you can focus on growing the business and leading effectively.

• Stay Healthy: Long hours and physical labor can take a toll. Make time for rest, exercise, and hobbies. A healthy, well-rested leader is more effective and capable of making better decisions.

With these strategies, you increase employee loyalty and deliver top-quality service to your customers. Leadership is not about the size of your company — it’s about the size of your commitment to excellence.