In this episode of the Builder of Choice™ Insights Podcast, host Emma Wildermuth speaks with Michael Welty, Consultant at Shinn Group, about his background and experience within the home building industry. Michael outlines his professional path and the work that led him into his current role, providing context on how his experience shapes his perspective.

The conversation explores real-world challenges buildersare navigating today, drawing on firsthand examples and observations from ongoing projects and leadership responsibilities. Throughout the discussion, Michael shares how practical decision-making and on-the-ground experienceinform the way he approaches building and problem-solving.

👉 Check out Michael Welty on social:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mathieu-welty-2a1393a/

👉 Check out Shinn Group and subscribe:
🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theshinngroup 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-shinn-group/ 🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theshinngroup

👉 Don’t Miss Our Special Events Coming Up:
🔗 BuilderPartnerships & Shinn Group’s IBS Reception | February 16, 2026: https://share.hsforms.com/13FbnuumWQbi43C4-ZL0_0gehnne

🔗 IBS 2026 Free Expo Pass: https://ibs26.nvytes.co/ibs26landing/46464.html

🔗 Executive Summit | March 11-13, 2026 : https://cvent.me/A4Y30b

#BuilderOfChoice #Homebuilding #ConstructionLeadership #BuilderPodcast #OperationalExcellence #Profitability #BuilderTraining #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #ShinnGroup #RealWorldBuilding #HomeBuilderLife #ConstructionIndustry #TradePartners #BuilderInsights

Control What Counts and Lead without Compromise.

This episode features a conversation with host Emma Wildermuth and Chris Laping, founder of People Before Things and a former four-time Fortune 500 CIO. Chris shares his leadership journey and outlines his philosophy that leadership is a deliberate, daily choice, not an optional or abstract concept.

Drawing on decades of executive experience and organizational turnarounds, he explains how clarity, alignment, and shared understanding empower teams to focus on theright problems and achieve sustainable, profitable results.

The discussion previews the leadership themes Chris will explore at the upcoming Shinn Group Executive Summit Event on March 11-13, 2026, in Breckenridge, Colorado.

About Chris Laping

Chris Laping coaches executives and experts on high-trust influence and modern leadership. A former 4-time CIO and tech CEO, Chris has spent three decades inside complexorganizations helping leaders move ideas forward, build credibility, and create followership without relying on title, volume, or politics.

Throughout his career, Chris has led large-scale transformation at companies including Red Robin, GMAC, and Coffee & Bagel Brands, where he helped drive successful turnarounds during periods of rapid change. That real-world leadership experience shapes his work today.

Chris is the bestselling author of People Before Things and the forthcoming Unignorable. His ideas on leadership, organizational health, and influence have been featured by The Economist, Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, and Forbes. Each week, his work reaches more than 1.5 million people through social media and his two newsletters.

On stage, Chris has delivered keynotes and workshops to more than 300,000 leaders and professionals, earning a reputation for talks that are practical, human, and immediately actionable.

👉 Check out Chris Laping on social
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claping

👉 Discover more about our guest:

🔗 People Before Things: https://peoplebeforethings.co/

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/people-before-things/

👉 Check us out and subscribe!
🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theshinngroup 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-shinn-group/ 🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theshinngroup

👉 Shinn Group Special Events:
🔗 Executive Summit: https://cvent.me/A4Y30b

In this episode, Emma Wildermuth sits down with DaveBarnhart, President of First America Homes, for a focused conversation on differentiation in challenging times. Together, they explore how economic uncertainty, heightened competition, and operational constraints are making itincreasingly difficult for organizations and professionals to stand out.

The discussion examines why differentiation matters morethan ever and how it can be pursued with intention rather than reaction. Dave shares practical ways to think about visibility, value creation, and competitive positioning, with an emphasis on resilience and clarity under pressure. The episode frames a clear, thoughtful approach to navigating complex market conditions while remaining distinct and relevant.

👉 Check out our guest,Dave Barnhart on social:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davebarnhart1

💻 Email: dbarnhart@firstamericahomes.com

👉 Discover more aboutour guest:

🔗 Website Link: https://www.firstamericahomes.com

🔗 Special Offer Houston Homes: https://www.firstamericahomes.com/new-homes/tx/houston/special-offers/

🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4F2XiC_dgpqYL0D4biNMhQ
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-america-homes/
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firstamerica

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstamericahomes/

👉 Check us out and subscribe:

🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theshinngroup
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-shinn-group/
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theshinngroup