How Housing Pros Can Keep Their Cool Under Pressure

Busy periods can test any business, but strong leadership can make all the difference. To help housing industry professionals keep their cool under pressure, home remodeling and design platform Houzz asked leaders in the housing industry to share the strategies they've developed over the years to keep their teams focused and projects moving forward under pressure. These tips include: being realistic about what you can deliver; being intentional about how you delegate tasks; empowering team members to take ownership of their work; trusting your gut when making decisions; and staying committed to deadlines, among other strategies.

“Never set expectations you cannot deliver on,” says Keith Kling, owner and CEO of Kling Brothers Builders in Newtown, Conn. He also shares three crucial lessons he has learned over many years in business. “First, avoid taking on more than you can handle,” Kling says. “Second, staff up accordingly—which is difficult these days with the shortage of qualified tradespeople. And third, make sure you have a well-trained office support team to work closely with project managers in the field.”