Mastering Leadership in the Elevator Industry: Tips for Growth and Success

The elevator industry is full of opportunities, from hands-on work in the field to managing teams and even running a business. As an elevator business owner, you quickly realize that success isn’t just about getting the job done, it’s about how you lead your people and help your business grow. In my experience, growth—whether it’s growth of your team, your business, or the industry itself—plays a big part in that success. And as leaders, it’s our job to facilitate that growth. 

Maybe you’re already leading a team, running a business, or overseeing projects. Or maybe you’re an experienced manager who’s looking to take your leadership to the next level. Either way, I want to talk to you because leadership in the elevator industry isn’t just about moving up the ranks or taking on more responsibility—it’s about continually refining the way you lead. 

We’ve all heard the phrase “leaders are made, not born,” and if you’ve been in leadership for any length of time, you’ve probably figured out that the journey never really ends. Leadership requires constant self-improvement, adaptability, and the willingness to evolve with the challenges that come your way. The hats we wear as leaders—problem-solver, motivator, mentor, and communicator—are just the beginning. If we focus on sharpening these skills and continually improving how we engage with our teams, we can create an environment where both our people and our business thrive. 

Leadership Is a Constant Journey: Why It’s Worth the Work 

As someone who’s already in a leadership role, you probably know that leadership isn’t just about giving orders—it’s about shaping the direction of your team and your business. But here’s the reality: Leadership is a journey that never ends. There’s always more to learn, always room to grow. And while you may feel like you’ve got a handle on things now, I’d argue that the best leaders are the ones who are always looking for ways to refine their approach. Strengthening your communication, learning how to effectively deal with conflict, and keeping the team motivated requires continuous effort. 

When you're managing teams in an industry like ours, where precision, safety, and client satisfaction are always top priority, leadership becomes even more critical. Every decision you make has an impact, not just on the project at hand but on the people around you. And while technical expertise is important, strong leadership is what keeps your team engaged and motivated for success. The work your team does impacts people’s daily lives and how you lead them. It also influences their performance and how they grow along the way.

Focusing on What Matters: Core Leadership Skills to Sharpen 

If you’re an established leader, you already know the ropes. But sometimes, the routine can cause us to lose sight of the skills that made us great leaders in the first place. As your role evolves, so do the needs of your team, your business, and the industry. To continue to lead effectively, here are a few areas that deserve your attention as you work to level up your leadership: 

1. Embrace the Role of a Mentor and Coach 

If you want your team to excel, you have to be willing to mentor and coach them. As a leader, your job is to help your team grow both in their technical skills and in their professional development. This doesn’t mean hovering over them or micromanaging; it means offering guidance and support, helping them tackle challenges, and showing them the bigger picture. 

You might be a great problem-solver when things go wrong in the operation, but the best leaders are the ones who can teach their teams how to solve problems themselves. When you empower your employees to take ownership of their tasks and decisions, you help THEM develop into leaders. 

2. Sharpen Your Communication

It’s a simple fact: communication is key. When you’re leading a crew on the job site, working with clients, or managing the office staff, the way you communicate has a domino effect. Your timing, tone, and approach to engaging with your team will shape their responses and how they feel about the company culture. 

As a leader, your ability to listen is just as important as your ability to speak. Make sure you’re actively listening to your team and responding to their needs. Is there a challenge on the job site? Is someone struggling with a task? When you show your team that you’re truly invested in their success, it helps foster those relationships and develops trust. 

Effective communication also means being able to give constructive criticism. Let’s be real, feedback can be tough to deliver, especially when you’re managing a team that’s under pressure or when things aren’t going smoothly. The key is to approach feedback with a mindset of growth. Constructive feedback isn’t about pointing fingers or assigning blame; it’s about helping your team learn and improve. 

I spoke about this briefly on a recent episode of The Elevator Entrepreneur. Adam Thomas of Albany Elevator joined me and discussed his experience with taking over ownership of the family business. We discussed the importance of failure as a leader but not to dwell on it. When a mistake is made in a position of leadership, how you handle these moments is crucial. Taking accountability for your own actions is what counts. Mistakes will happen and they’ll sting. Give yourself that same constructive criticism you’d give your team and do the inner work to ensure it doesn’t happen again. We’re all human! Remember that even on tough days. 

3. Strengthen Your Conflict Resolution Skills

No matter how well you communicate or how strong your team is, conflict is inevitable. When there’s a disagreement between team members or a tough decision to be made, as a leader, you’ll need to handle conflict with calm and confidence. 

The best leaders don’t shy away from conflict—they address it head-on. The goal isn’t to avoid difficult conversations, but to manage them in a way that encourages problem-solving and maintains the cohesion of the team. When issues arise, stay calm, listen to both sides, and focus on a solution that’s fair and in the best interest of the team. 

Conflict resolution also ties into your ability to remain adaptable. Sometimes, solutions require you to adjust your expectations or take a different approach than you originally planned. Your ability to do this without losing sight of your long-term goals is what separates good leaders from great ones. 

4. Keep Building Trust with Your Team 

Trust is the foundation of any successful team. And while you’ve probably worked hard to build trust with your employees, the reality is that trust is something you need to earn every single day. When you lead with integrity, make decisions that prioritize your team’s well-being and follow through on your promises. 

It’s also important to acknowledge and celebrate your team’s achievements. Acknowledge their hard work and let them know you see their contributions. Recognize their individual accomplishments and celebrate team milestones. Taking the time to show appreciation can help maintain a high level of morale. 

Leverage Your Leadership for Continued Growth 

As you refine your leadership skills, it’s time to start thinking about how you can use those skills to grow both personally and professionally. If you’re a business owner, strong leadership doesn’t just improve operations—it drives growth. For those of you leading established teams, your leadership can create a culture of continuous improvement, where employees feel empowered to innovate, take initiative, and strive for excellence. 

But it’s also about personal growth. Leadership challenges you to evolve as an individual. The more you invest in yourself through training, mentorship, or self-reflection, the better you’ll be able to lead your team through the inevitable ups and downs that come with this industry. 

As a leader in the elevator industry, it’s not just about getting through today’s challenges—it’s about evolving to meet tomorrows. The more you invest in your leadership development, the more you’ll see the positive impact it has on your team, your business, and your own personal growth. 

So, take a moment to reflect on your leadership style, identify improvement areas, and commit to continuous learning. Remember, great leaders aren’t born—they’re made, one decision at a time. Keep honing your skills, stay open to feedback, and always strive to be the best version of yourself as a leader. Your team, your business, and your future self will thank you. 

Here’s my 3 takeaways for your continued success as a leader in the elevator industry: 

1. Leadership is an ongoing journey. 
2. Continue to sharpen your core leadership skills. 
3. Fail and reflect often, so you can grow from those experiences. 

Tune in to the latest episode of The Elevator Entrepreneur to hear more about mine and Adam Thomas’s personal leadership experiences. 

As always, stay safe out there, and I will continue to empower my fellow elevator entrepreneurs.