Last week, Pete and Dean both spoke at the first conference that the Construction Leadership Network has held since lockdown, and they both had a phenomenal time, not just as they spoke, but throughout the event.
It’s a remarkable event, both for construction leaders, and for professionals who serve them.
Last week I attended an event hosted by the Construction Leadership Network—an organization I previously knew only in passing. It turned out to be one of the most energizing, well-run conferences I’ve experienced since COVID. As many industries still rebuild momentum around in-person gatherings, this event stood out for its strong leadership communication, genuine connection, and remarkable culture.
I had the privilege of presenting for an hour and 45 minutes—an unusually generous window that allowed for deep discussion, storytelling for business, and plenty of interactive dialogue. The room was full, the energy was high, and participants were fully engaged. From a presentation skills coaching standpoint, it was a dream environment: no rushing, no time pressure, just meaningful exchange.
Not only were attendees interactive, they were warm, open, and sincerely curious—ideal conditions for confident presence and client engagement skills to flourish.
What impressed me most was the friendliness of the professionals in the room. At many conferences, people can feel hesitant, guarded, or unsure of how to engage. But here, the atmosphere was the exact opposite. Instead of small talk, people asked real questions: “How are you doing?” “How is your business?” “What can I do to help?”
Several long-time members shared the organization’s lineage. Formerly the Jack Miller Network, the group rebranded about five years ago. The culture, however, still reflects Jack Miller’s founding principle: show up to give. That mindset created a space where leadership communication felt authentic, collaborative, and refreshingly ego-free.
Many attendees were owners or senior leaders of construction firms—professionals used to making decisions and guiding teams. They were eager to share insights freely, in part because there was no competitive tension. The group included firms from across the U.S. and Canada, making it easy for people to open up without worrying about protecting trade secrets or guarding strategies.
It reminded me of what we reinforce in presence coaching, business development training, and professional services communication: when people feel safe, they share more openly, learn more quickly, and build stronger relationships.
The conference size was ideal, but the generosity of the culture would scale easily, even with more participants. When leaders commit to showing up with a spirit of giving, everything else—networking, learning, collaboration—gets better.
If you work in construction or support construction professionals, I strongly encourage you to explore the Construction Leadership Network. They offer far more than an annual gathering, and their events exemplify the kind of leadership communication and group presentation coaching that strengthens entire organizations.
I’ll include a link in the notes. If you attend or get involved, I’d love to hear what you think.
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