From Estimating to COO: Growth Through Emotional Intelligence with Mike Wood, Jarrett Companies

Building Scale

We interview successful Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) business leaders to learn how they use people, processes, and technology to scale their businesses.

From Estimating to COO: Growth Through Emotional Intelligence with Mike Wood, Jarrett Companies

E165 • Sep 1, 2026 • 58 mins

Mike Wood, COO at Jarrett Companies, shares his journey in the construction industry, highlighting the growth and structuring of the company, including its expansion into full-service MEP and new divisions. He discusses building successful teams, leadership evolution, and fostering self-awareness to avoid burnout. Mike emphasizes the importance of honesty, respect, and trust in leadership, as well as navigating difficult conversations. He outlines the benefits of a double check system, enhancing client relationships, and the significance of clear communication and documentation. The episode also covers investing in technology, such as CRM implementation, and reflects on two decades of business experience.

Key Points

Creating safety in conversations by leading with love and discussing feelings instead of accusations helps in addressing difficult issues without escalating conflict.
Implementing a robust CRM system like Salesforce can significantly enhance operational efficiency and client satisfaction, leading to substantial business growth.
Self-reflection and removing personal identities from professional roles can help leaders manage stress better and improve their interactions with team members.

Connect with Mike Wood, COO Jarrett Companies and Founder, Luv Being U

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-wood-209b2629 Company LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jarrett-companiesinc Website - https://luvbeingu.com/ Website - https://jarrettcompaniesinc.com/

Connect with Justin & Will - Will's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willforet/ Justin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justneagle/

Learn More & Connect With Spot Migration - Website: https://www.spotmigration.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spot-migration Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotmigration YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Spotmigration

Do you want to be a guest on the show? Go to https://buildingscale.net/guests Need to discuss your IT and Cybersecurity Strategy? Go to https://buildingscale.net/help

Speakers

Mike Wood

Guest • 77%

Will Foret

Host • 2%

Justin Neagle

Host • 13%

Will Foret

Host • 8%

Chapters

0:00	Introduction and setting the stage for safety in conversations
2:00	Sponsor: BuildingScale.net/help
2:29	Guest introduction: Mike Wood, COO at Jarrett Companies
3:28	Mike's background and journey in construction
4:57	Growth and structuring of Jarrett Companies
9:27	Expansion into full-service MEP and new divisions
11:54	Building and developing successful teams
12:12	Mike’s leadership evolution and introspection
17:02	Avoiding burnout and fostering self-awareness
22:58	Teaching and sharing leadership principles
26:41	Navigating difficult conversations and their impact
28:22	The role of honesty and respect in leadership
31:28	Building trust and collective decision-making in teams
32:42	Evolution of roles and titles at Jarrett Companies
36:13	Implementing and benefiting from a double check system
41:56	Enhancing client relationships through management practices
43:11	Documenting processes and SOPs
46:13	Importance of clear communication and documentation
47:53	Investing in technology to drive business growth
51:02	CRM implementation and its business impact
53:31	Evaluating the cost and value of Salesforce
54:11	Reflecting on two decades of business experience
55:24	Contact information for Mike Wood
55:55	Final advice and key takeaways for listeners
56:48	Episode conclusion and outro
57:07	Call to action for listeners

Transcript

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