Lessons in Leadership: Pat Nelson on Pave it Black Podcast

What makes a great leader? How do you grow into leadership? Why do people become leaders? NAPA’s flagship podcast enters its ninth season and seeks to answer these questions as it takes on the topic of leadership. With the support of leaders inside and outside the asphalt pavement industry, hosts Richard Willis and Brett Williams ask guests to share challenges and accomplishments from their personal leadership journeys and how our listeners can enhance their leadership skills.

Season 9 kicks off with Pat Nelson, newly elected NAPA Chairman and Granite Regional Vice President. Pat shares his journey from hands-on work in the field to leading at the national level. He reflects on the importance of values and industry relationships that shaped his career. He also dives into the importance of advocacy, NAPA PAC, and the industry’s role in driving economic growth. His story highlights a deep appreciation for asphalt pavement, the people who make it, and the lasting impact of infrastructure on communities.

Check out a sneak peek:

What differentiates a good leader from a great leader?

“If I have to boil it down to maybe two or three things, I would say trust is at the bottom of that. It is really hard to follow somebody you can’t trust. I would say it’s impossible. And so, at the foundation of leadership, I think you’ve got to have this element of trust that when a leader says they’re going to do this, they do it. And if they don’t, they’re super-fast to apologize and they own it. Leaders are going to make mistakes and the ones that I respect the most, admire the most and want to follow are the ones that are willing to admit that. And that builds trust. So, I think owning your mess is a big deal.

Another one for me would be humility. And there’s an element of that in the first, but I think it’s knowing you don’t have all the answers. Some of the biggest help I’ve received is somebody who helped me go by saying “Here’s a way to get from here to here and here’s the path you can follow.” Having the humility to look and hear and listen to those things.

Thirdly, I would say, and this may sound like a little bit of an odd answer, but I think it’s somebody who’s willing to lean into conflict. One of my character flaws, I call myself a recovering people pleaser in that my first step in any relationship is for you to like me. Even on this podcast, trying to figure out how I can come across as likable. And it’s just the way God made me, but I know it about myself. And so often for me, I have to lean towards conflict because it’s just not natural for me. Being willing to hold people accountable and not run from that, comes full circle. It builds trust in an organization.”

What’s a piece of advice you would have given yourself with the experience that you’ve had now?

“It would be to embrace patience. I think when I look back on my twenties and thirties, I was very ambitious. I was very hungry, but very impatient to let the process play out. I was always looking for shortcuts, trying to figure out what’s the quickest path. I probably short-circuited some really valuable learning and lessons. And I think what I would tell 21-year-old Pat. You’re going to figure all this out, but take your time, learn the business, and build the relationships.”