Let’s Talk Leadership: Sitdown with Karen Barefoot, Guest Speaker at ABCC Summer Construction Convention

This is Part 1 of a 2-part series.

After a long and successful career as a basketball player and coach, Karen Barefoot began a new career leading organizational development for a construction company, Industrial Reliability and Repair (IRR). Karen will be a keynote speaker at the upcoming ABC Carolinas’ Construction Convention in Charleston, SC. GroundBreak’s Lauren Gallagher had the opportunity to sit down with Karen to learn more about her interesting background and get a preview of what attendees can expect from her keynote.

How has your experience as a successful basketball player and coach influenced your approach to leadership in your current role in the construction industry?

While the contexts of sports and business may differ, many fundamental leadership principles and qualities remain consistent across domains. As a coach, I was entrusted and expected to lead, inspire, and motivate individual athletes and teams to achieve common goals, perform at their best, and constantly improve their skills. This is an essential and fundamental skill that translates well into a corporate environment, where effective leadership and motivation is crucial for managing teams and driving organizational success. I am taking a similar approach in my current role and will work with our leaders to inspire and motivate employees to achieve their highest potential and consistently enhance their performance. Additionally, my success was dependent on building cohesive teams by fostering collaboration, trust, and open communication among athletes. I am excited about working with the entire organization to cultivate a sense of teamwork, encourage collaboration, and facilitate positive working relationships among all team members.

What specific skills and qualities from the world of basketball have you found to be transferable to effective leadership in a non-sport setting like construction?

Sports and business share several similarities, despite their distinct contexts. Both are goal-oriented and competitive, require teamwork, and involve strategy and planning. Additionally, performance is measured in both settings. In sports, performance is assessed through statistics, scores, and individual achievements. Similarly, in business, key performance indicators (KPIs), financial metrics, and other performance measures are used to evaluate the success of individuals, teams, and the organization overall. Specific skills and qualities from my time playing and coaching basketball that are truly transferable and allow me to become an effective leader include:

Motivation and Mentoring: As coaches we often act as mentors, providing guidance and support to athletes. Similarly, in a corporate environment, the ability to motivate and mentor employees boosts morale, fosters professional growth, and enhances productivity.

Communication: A coach must communicate effectively with their athletes, staff, and stakeholders. Clear and concise communication is equally important in the business world, whether it involves clearly conveying ideas, collaborating closely with colleagues, or giving presentations to influence action or organizational change.

Team Building: Building a cohesive and high-performing team is arguably the most critical aspect of coaching. This is directly applicable to any corporate role that involves team management, collaboration, and creating a positive work culture.

Goal Setting and Planning: As a coach, and as an individual athlete, we regularly set goals, devise strategies, and plan training sessions to help ourselves or athletes improve their performance. In a corporate setting, where goal setting, strategic planning, and project management play significant roles, these same basic principles apply.

Can you share an example of a challenging leadership situation you encountered in the construction industry and how your basketball background helped you navigate and overcome it?

One of my responsibilities at IRR is to instill good leadership, as I did as head coach to my players. Just like coaching basketball, teaching others leadership skills is key to a successful program. Not everyone is born a leader. Some are, and some need to enhance their leadership skills. This challenge is a constant and makes the person better, which makes the team better. I also told my players to be an “All American” in their roles. Everyone is important, no matter what your job is be an “All American” at your job. I keep the team aligned with our company’s impact and mission statement:

IMPACT STATEMENT: To give ourselves, so that others grow personally, & professionally and find happiness in their career.

MISSION STATEMENT: IRR’ s mission is to build long- term partnerships to yield successful results and benefits for all involved, including, customers, fellow employees, and our surrounding community.

In what ways do you believe the principles of teamwork and collaboration that are emphasized in basketball can be applied to leadership within a construction company?

The principles of teamwork and collaboration emphasized in basketball have many practical applications to leadership within a construction company. Some that come to mind include:

Clear roles and responsibilities: In basketball, each player has a specific role and responsibility within the team. Similarly, in a construction company, effective leadership involves assigning clear roles and responsibilities to its team members. Clearly defining tasks and ensuring everyone understands their role fosters teamwork and helps in achieving organizational goals.

Communication and coordination: Basketball teams rely on effective communication and coordination to succeed. Leaders in a construction company should emphasize open communication channels, encourage active listening, and promote collaboration among all team members as well. Clear and frequent communication ensures that everyone is aligned, expectations are clear, and errors are minimized which enhances overall efficiency and culture.

Shared goals and objectives: In basketball, teams work together toward a shared goal of winning games and championships. Likewise, a construction company’s leadership should establish shared goals and objectives that align with the organization’s vision. When employees understand and collectively work toward a common goal, it fosters teamwork, cooperation, and a sense of purpose.

Trust and reliance on teammates: Trust is crucial in basketball as players must trust their teammates’ abilities and make split-second decisions based on that trust. Similarly, in a construction company, leaders should foster a culture of trust and create an environment where employees can rely on each other’s expertise and support. Building trust among team members improves collaboration, problem-solving, and overall team performance.

Support and recognition: In basketball, teammates support and uplift each other, celebrating successes and offering encouragement during difficult times. Leaders in a construction company should also seek to provide support and recognition to employees, acknowledging their contributions and providing constructive feedback. Recognizing individual and team achievements fosters morale, motivation, and a positive work culture.

Adaptability and flexibility: Basketball teams must adapt to changing game situations, adjust strategies, and make quick decisions. In the construction industry, unforeseen challenges and changes are common. Leaders need to promote adaptability and flexibility within their teams, encouraging innovative problem-solving and the ability to adjust plans when necessary.

Continuous improvement: Basketball teams and players constantly strive to improve their skills and performance. Likewise, leadership in any organization should promote a culture of continuous improvement. Leaders should provide opportunities for professional development, offer constructive feedback, and encourage employees to learn from both successes and failures.

Part 2 of the Q & A will be featured in GroundBreak Carolinas in July.

Karen Barefoot is Director of Organizational Effectiveness for Industrial Reliability and Repair. She can be reaches at Kbarefoot@irr-us.com.