Between the Builds: The Hidden Power of True Servant Leadership

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Between the Builds, host Chris Fay reflects on last week’s conversation with Al Petrangeli, diving deeper into one of the most foundational principles of effective leadership: servant leadership. Chris breaks down what servant leadership really means, how to distinguish it from simply “being a servant,” and why the difference can shape the trajectory of your team, culture, and organization.

From leading by example and setting the tone for your team to empowering frontline decision-makers and avoiding the trap of doing the work for your people, this episode offers a thoughtful look at what it means to scale through others. Chris also shares personal experiences, practical insights, and industry data that illustrate why servant leadership is one of the most powerful tools for building high-performing teams and creating long-term impact.

Whether you’re guiding a growing company, developing emerging leaders, or evaluating your own leadership habits, this episode will challenge you to reflect, recalibrate, and lead with purpose.

Key Takeaways:

• Servant leadership is about empowering others, not elevating your own ambitions.

• Leading by example is constant. Your behavior sets the pace whether you realize it or not.

• You become who you spend your time with. Leadership is contagious.

• True scaling happens through people, not personal effort alone.

• A servant leader teaches, equips, and develops their team rather than doing tasks for them.

• Being “a servant” instead of a servant leader can bottleneck growth and hinder performance.

• Frontline empowerment boosts productivity by nearly 33% and massively increases engagement.

• Only 21% of AEC employees feel coached by their leaders, a major opportunity for improvement.

• High-performing cultures emerge when leaders foster autonomy, accountability, and clarity.

• Asking your team for feedback on how you lead can unlock transformational growth.

Built With Purpose shares thoughtful conversations with the people who design, build, and improve the world around us.

Hosted by Chris Fay, the show blends experience from commercial construction and tech leadership to explore how values, systems, and steady execution create enduring companies.

Each week, you’ll hear:

• Builder Conversations: Warm, in-depth interviews with founders, operators, and craft leaders across construction, architecture, engineering, manufacturing, and built-world tech.

• Field Notes: Short, practical takeaways on leadership, culture, brand, sales, and operational excellence—ideas you can put to work on Monday.

If you care about building teams and businesses that last—without losing sight of purpose—this podcast is for you.
Subscribe and build with intention.