"Be Strict, Then Give In" technique from Paul Schwinghammer’s book, Building Better Relationships. This strategy helps construction professionals manage tense moments, such as picky drywall inspections, without damaging client trust.

The approach involves two steps: first, confidently stating professional standards to establish boundaries and expertise (the "strict" phase); and second, showing empathy by offering to fix the issue if it genuinely bothers the client (the "give in" phase). By doing this, builders validate the client's feelings while maintaining their authority. The hosts explain that this method transforms potential conflicts into opportunities to demonstrate care and flexibility. The episode concludes by noting that this balance of firmness and empathy fosters mutual respect and prevents small issues from escalating into major relationship problems.

Episode 6 of Building Better Relationships in Construction explores why over-communicating the present is the most powerful tool builders have. Alex and Sabrina explain that silence during uncertainty—like waiting on custom windows—creates anxiety, worst-case assumptions, and erodes trust. Drawing on Paul Schwinghammer’s book, they emphasize shifting from predicting the uncertain future to clearly stating what is known and what actions are being taken now. Frequent “non-update updates” (e.g., “I called the supplier this morning and will follow up tomorrow”) act as small deposits in a “relationship bank account,” building goodwill that can absorb bad news later. Practical tactics include: consistent scheduled updates (ideally calls, backed by emails), factual not fluffy information, always highlighting the next step, using multiple channels (texts, photos), immediate honesty about setbacks, and inviting questions to keep dialogue open. Done well, communication becomes less about certainty and more about maintaining trust and connection.

Episode 5 of "Building Better Relationships in Construction" focuses on fostering strong relationships with subcontractors through effective communication, inspired by Paul Schwinghammer's book. Alex and Sabrina highlight the "relationship bank account" concept, where every interaction is either a deposit (e.g., a "thank you," a ready job site) or a withdrawal (e.g., unexpected changes, delays).

They illustrate this with a story of a site supervisor back-charging a framer $150 for a ladder rental without prior discussion. This lack of communication, though for a minor cost, caused a significant "withdrawal" of trust. The hosts then explain how a simple 60-second proactive conversation—informing the framer and offering choices—could have turned this into a "deposit."

Key tips for making consistent "deposits" include setting clear expectations upfront, always informing before acting, actively listening to subcontractors' concerns, documenting all changes and agreements, and consistently following through on promises. This proactive, respectful communication builds a loyal team, prevents conflicts, and leads to smoother, higher-quality projects with less stress.