Change in the construction industry is an interesting paradox.
On one hand, it’s constant.
New tools. New technologies. New expectations.
On the other hand, it’s an industry that has historically taken time to adapt.
There’s a familiarity in “this is how we’ve always done it.” A reliance on proven processes. A natural resistance to shifting something that already works.
So what happens when those two realities collide?
When the pace of change starts to accelerate… but the systems and people experiencing it aren’t built to absorb it that quickly?
That’s where stress begins to build.
In this episode of Burnout Banter, Jeff Visnic and Rachelle Ray are joined by Heather Polivka, founder of Awesome People Leaders, to explore the impact of change on stress and burnout in the AEC industry.
Together, they unpack why change can feel so disruptive, what’s really happening beneath the surface when people struggle to adapt, and how the accumulation of change can quietly lead to burnout.
You’ll hear:
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Why resistance to change is often misunderstood
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What leaders tend to underestimate when introducing change
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How the pace of change increases cognitive and emotional load
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The connection between unprocessed change, stress, and burnout
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What individuals and leaders can do to navigate change more effectively
This conversation is both practical and honest. Whether you’re leading change, navigating it, or simply trying to keep up with it, this episode will help you better understand what’s happening and how to move through it in a more sustainable way.
Join us monthly on Burnout Banter as we showcase and share the stories and insights of marketing professionals and technical teams in the construction industry. We aim to shed light on issues such as miscommunication and burnout. Please email us any burning questions you would like us to answer at burnoutbanter@gmail.com.
Heather Polivka is a founder, operator, and speaker focused on why strong strategies fail at execution. She is the Founder & CEO of Awesome People Leaders, a decision intelligence platform that works in real-time, in the flow of work, to help organizations close the gap between strategy and execution through leadership, communication, and collaboration in real work.
Before founding APL, Heather spent 11 years at UnitedHealth Group (Fortune 6) and 10 years at Target Corporation, leading through growth, change, and complexity at scale. She is a Gener8tor Workforce Innovation alum, SBA Minnesota Encore Entrepreneur of the Year, Inc. Magazine Power Partner, 100 Women to Know in America, and frequent speaker on leadership and execution in the modern workplace.