509 :: The Barnes & Noble Paradox: Why Old-School Leadership Is Winning in Construction Despite the Age of AI
Thu Feb 05 2026
Construction leaders are being told—daily—that AI, automation, dashboards, and optimization are the future. But what if the very things we're rushing to automate are the things that actually make leadership work?
In this episode, Bradley Hartmann explores a surprising case study: the resurgence of Barnes & Noble, a 140-year-old, paper-and-ink business thriving in the age of AI and Amazon.
Using the Barnes & Noble turnaround as a lens, this episode breaks down two leadership capabilities AI will never replicate—and why they matter more than ever in construction:
Being a genuine fan of the work, the customer, and the people doing the work Taste and human judgment—knowing what matters, what doesn't, and when timing matters more than data.
This isn't a story about books.
It's a story about leadership, accountability, and change in old, complex industries—just like construction.
This episode will help you:
Identify where your organization may be over-centralized or over-optimized Reclaim leadership leverage that no software can replace Make better decisions about what to abandon, not just what to add Lead change without losing trust, judgment, or accountability
You'll walk away with a clearer lens on what great construction leadership actually requires in the age of AI.
If Barnes & Noble can come back by falling back in love with books, imagine what could happen in construction if leaders fell back in love with building—and the people who make it happen.
https://www.honest-broker.com/p/what-can-we-learn-from-barnes-and
https://substack.com/@tedgioia
At Bradley Hartmann & Company, we help construction teams improve sales, leadership, and communication by reducing miscommunication, strengthening teamwork, and bridging language gaps between English and Spanish speakers. To learn more about our product offerings, visit bradleyhartmannandco.com.
The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems—whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization.
Have topic ideas or guest recommendations? Contact us at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com.
New podcasts are dropped every Tuesday and Thursday.
This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.
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Construction leaders are being told—daily—that AI, automation, dashboards, and optimization are the future. But what if the very things we're rushing to automate are the things that actually make leadership work? In this episode, Bradley Hartmann explores a surprising case study: the resurgence of Barnes & Noble, a 140-year-old, paper-and-ink business thriving in the age of AI and Amazon. Using the Barnes & Noble turnaround as a lens, this episode breaks down two leadership capabilities AI will never replicate—and why they matter more than ever in construction: Being a genuine fan of the work, the customer, and the people doing the work Taste and human judgment—knowing what matters, what doesn't, and when timing matters more than data. This isn't a story about books. It's a story about leadership, accountability, and change in old, complex industries—just like construction. This episode will help you: Identify where your organization may be over-centralized or over-optimized Reclaim leadership leverage that no software can replace Make better decisions about what to abandon, not just what to add Lead change without losing trust, judgment, or accountability You'll walk away with a clearer lens on what great construction leadership actually requires in the age of AI. If Barnes & Noble can come back by falling back in love with books, imagine what could happen in construction if leaders fell back in love with building—and the people who make it happen. https://www.honest-broker.com/p/what-can-we-learn-from-barnes-and https://substack.com/@tedgioia At Bradley Hartmann & Company, we help construction teams improve sales, leadership, and communication by reducing miscommunication, strengthening teamwork, and bridging language gaps between English and Spanish speakers. To learn more about our product offerings, visit bradleyhartmannandco.com. The Construction Leadership Podcast dives into essential leadership topics in construction, including strategy, emotional intelligence, communication skills, confidence, innovation, and effective decision-making. You'll also gain insights into delegation, cultural intelligence, goal setting, team building, employee engagement, and how to overcome common culture problems—whether you're leading a crew or managing an entire organization. Have topic ideas or guest recommendations? Contact us at info@bradleyhartmannandco.com. New podcasts are dropped every Tuesday and Thursday. This episode is brought to you by The Construction Spanish Toolbox —the most practical way for construction teams to learn jobsite-ready Spanish in just minutes a day over 6 months.