Building Leaders from the Field Up

An 11-Week Leadership Development Program

Part of ABC Eastern Pennsylvania’s Leadership Development Series

The hardest part of becoming a leader isn’t learning how to manage people. It’s learning how to manage yourself first.

Technical skills may earn you a promotion. Leadership skills determine your success.

One of the biggest challenges facing construction companies today is developing the next generation of construction leaders. Every day, skilled craft professionals are promoted because of their technical expertise—but leading people requires an entirely different skill set.

Building Leaders from the Field Up prepares emerging and developing field leaders to confidently transition from doing the work to leading the people doing it.

Why This Program Is Different

Most leadership training teaches what leaders should do.

This Leadership Development Program focuses on who leaders need to become.

Participants complete a personalized DISC Leadership Assessment during the first session and use those results throughout the program to better understand their communication style, behaviors, strengths, and leadership approach.

Because effective leadership begins with self-awareness, participants first learn to lead themselves before learning to lead others.

Through discussion, real-world jobsite scenarios, practical leadership tools, and between-session application, participants build leadership habits they can immediately apply on the jobsite.

Leadership Competencies You’ll Develop

• Self-awareness and leadership identity
• Transitioning from coworker to leader
• Communicating with different personalities
• Building trust and credibility
• Delegating work and setting expectations
• Creating accountability
• Adapting your leadership style
• Building stronger relationships with your crew

Learn. Apply. Return. Repeat.

Leadership isn’t developed in a classroom alone.

Between each session, participants apply what they’ve learned on the jobsite before returning two weeks later to discuss experiences, challenges, and successes while building the next leadership skill.

Who Should Attend

• Journeyworkers preparing for leadership
• Lead workers
• Crew leaders
• New or developing foremen
• Employees identified as future field leaders
• Field leaders with one to two years of experience looking to strengthen their leadership foundation

Included with Registration

✔ Personalized DISC Leadership Assessment

✔ Individual DISC Results

✔ Six instructor-led leadership sessions

✔ Practical jobsite application

✔ ABC Eastern PA Certificate of Completion

Program Commitment

This is an 11-week Leadership Development Program, not six standalone classes.

Participants are expected to attend all six sessions in order. Each session builds upon the previous one through discussion, reflection, and practical application.

Why Employers Invest

Developing frontline leaders strengthens communication, accountability, teamwork, and employee engagement while preparing the next generation of construction leaders.

New to Leadership? Start Here.

Already have several years of leadership experience? Explore Strengthening Your Leadership Impact, our advanced leadership workshop for experienced field leaders.

ABC Eastern Pennsylvania’s Commitment

ABC Eastern Pennsylvania is committed to developing the next generation of construction leaders by providing practical, industry-focused professional development that strengthens individuals, teams, and member companies.

Schedule (Every Other Friday)

September 11

September 25

October 9

October 23

November 6

November 20

8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

ABC Eastern Pennsylvania

894 Marcon Boulevard Allentown, PA 18109

Meet Your Instructor

Matt Riehl
Founder & President
Proodos Consulting

Matt’s introduction to the construction industry started in the trenches, working summers as a stone mason for his uncle. As he moved into equipment sales and operation, listening to the needs of his clients sparked a deep, lasting passion for occupational safety. Over the years, his career has been a unique blend of operational and business experience—from navigating the acquisition of his family’s bakery to spending eight years on the executive team of a regional General Contractor. It was in those Safety and HR leadership roles that his dedication to training and developing frontline leaders truly crystallized. In 2024, Matt took 25 years of industry experience and founded Proodos Consulting to help construction and manufacturing teams build stronger leaders and safer cultures. When he’s not coaching or consulting, he can be found at home in West Lampeter with his wife and two daughters, playing a round of golf, or experimenting with a new recipe in the kitchen.