CONNECT 2025 provided attendees with the tools, ideas, and actionable plans to better run their businesses in times of uncertainty.

As we head into the new year, contractors face no shortage of challenges, from tariffs and the economy (and, as a result, supply chain uncertainty) to plateauing construction numbers, among other topical issues. Through all of this, change is constant, and inevitable. Yet, how does one exemplify leadership through turbulent times or, simply put, how does one lead through change?

Well, what if I told you that one single industry event featured all of the necessary ingredients needed to bake that “leadership cake”? Is it even possible for a single event, a chance encounter, or an industry gathering to affect change at a leadership level within your company?

Well, at this past October’s PHCC CONNECT in Grand Rapids, Michigan, some of the industry’s best and brightest came together to hone their leadership skills during a week full of opportunity, ideas, connections, and action. The conference featured more than 20 educational sessions, interactive panels, and countless networking opportunities, offering attendees the chance to share best practices, explore emerging trends, and gain insights to help them grow their businesses.

Strength in Stepping Back

To break it down to its very core, let’s ask ourselves, “What even defines a good leader?” According to Michael Evans, Training and Development for Milwaukee Tool and presenter of “Visionary Leadership: Strategies for Connection and Resilience” at PHCC CONNECT, leadership is about being ready put yourself in the back and put other people forward. Evans suggested it’s all about being able to have a really good articulated vision, while being a great follower.

“Are you willing to step back and put others’ interests first?” asked Evans. “Authentic true servant leadership is being able to put yourself on the line, take all the bad that happens and own it, and take all the good that happens and give it away. Being a good leader is going to drive your culture, and it’s going to drive the connection that you have with your folks.”

Prioritizing the ‘Why’

Speaking of connection, Ryan Jenkins’ opening keynote, “Connectable: How to Strengthen Team Connection in the New Era of Work,” stressed the importance of being connectable. How can we help business owners and professionals and organziations connect with the emerging generation? Turns out, according to Jenkins, every generation is feeling more disconnected for a variety of reasons. “Having always been humanity’s significant need, connection is neglected now more than ever, so it takes reinvesting in what it is and understanding how do we actually execute it and deliver it today’s modern world,” he said.

According to Jenkins, isolation and disconnection make your team seven times more likely to disengage, five times more likely to miss work, four times more likely to quit, and three times more likely to underperform.

How can we use generations as a way to unlock the future? If we can understand the evolving differences across generations, could we pull the future a little bit closer and figure out how we need to pivot our businesses, communication, or leadership?

“We should prioritize ‘why over the way,’” said Jenkins. We should be married to the mission of our crews and the important work that we are doing in the trade; we need to be delivering for our customers. That is the “why.” But the “way” – the approach on how we find new customers and how we deliver the service – we should be really open to how that gets executed, because things are changing so rapidly. One way to unlock the way or different ways is to tap into these different generations and figure out what is the best way forward for the organization, he added.

Looking Ahead With Confidence?

Elliot Eisenberg, commonly referred to as the “Bowtie Economist,” gave his humorous, yet informative, economic outlook during his session, “Economic Crystal Ball: What the Trends Mean for Your Business,” where he left attendees with a glass-half-full outlook on the future economy. Not all “doom and gloomish” indicated that, while he isn’t in favor of the idea of tariffs, they aren’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s not something that’s going to put the economy into a recessional tailspin … yet, he said.

Eisenberg’s key takeaways included that he sees a decent rest of the year as the Fed will keep cutting rates. On the other hand, heed caution as job growth may slow more and inflation should rise slightly. He also stressed that immigration reform policies integrate into that conversation, and the fact that the American population is dwindling factors into the job creation problem.

Future-Proofing Through Responsible Ownership

How do we look to the future with confidence? Aging workforce, evolving customer expectations, and emerging technologies are forcing contractors to adapt or risk being left behind. Always drawing a full crowd, Purdue University Professor Emeritus Kirk Alter delivered the thought-provoking presentation, “Future Proof Your Business: Thriving in a Changing World Through Responsible Business Ownership.”

In today’s business landscape, fragmented trust, volatility in regulations, and “noise fatigue” can impact business through unpredictable permitting, shifting codes, and workforce distraction. How can you balance the needs of your employees, customers, and community while maintaining control and ensuring the long-term success of your company?

To future-proof business, Alter referred to what successful contractors should become – the “Antifragile Contractor.” This new contractor doesn’t resist change; he or she absorbs it, learns from it, and emerges clearer. “Create calm, clarity, and confidence inside your walls. When the world gets loud, your business has to get quiet – disciplined, transparent, and focused. That’s responsible ownership in the chaos age,” he said.

These were just a few sessions and keynotes during a PHCC CONNECT show chock-full of educational experiences. Contractors left Grand Rapids armed with information to better run their businesses and feel better about the future. Make it a point to circle CONNECT 2026 – Oct. 19-22 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin – on your calendar as a can’t-miss industry event.

John Mesenbrink is the president of Mechanical Hub, a digital publication delivering plumbing, heating, and mechanical resources to contractors. He also co-hosts the Appetite for Construction podcast.