When you hold training in your HVAC business from technical to soft skills, there is one aspect that is often overlooked and it is one of the most important. The way we practice our skill is how we will perform.

Have you ever had a day where you woke up and stubbed your toe, or spilled your coffee, and got into a negative frame of mind? Your state of mind is one of the most important factors in how you perceive the world around you. And your perception of the world will impact the way you interact with others.

A large part of the message you send to your team is based on demonstration. What you say and what you do must be aligned for your message to gain traction with your team.

I specifically titled this blog The Power of Questions, and I want to be clear that questions differ greatly from questioning. I define these terms like this: questions are asked to gain understanding; whereas questioning is a behavior used to pick something apart to criticize or even ridicule.

In business, we hear a lot of quotes about time. What I would ask you to do right now, is focus on your time. As the leader of your team, your company, your family, your community, what do you spend your time doing?

As an owner or service manager of a residential HVAC service company, your energy is a finite resource and you need to manage it. If your team is always coming to you for solutions, you may be the source of all energy for your company. This is a draining place to reside.

As an HVAC manager, you are responsible for yourself as well as others. It’s common to feel strained by the daily demands of your position. Here are a few strategies to ensure you are busy being productive and not just busy.

One of the benefits from having real connections between your team is the exchange of constructive feedback. When a teammate is acting out of synch with what is best for the team, a good teammate will be comfortable to call out the behavior — not to turn a blind eye to it.