E-285 Pool Nation Podcast - Upskilling vs Reskilling: How Pool Pros Stay Relevant, Profitable, and A

Описание: Source:
https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-6kqup-...

In episode 285 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesús sits down with leadership expert Leanne De Jesús for an in-depth conversation on how pool business owners, service techs, retailers, and builders can grow without burning out, falling behind, or constantly starting over.
What is upskilling?Upskilling means improving and expanding the skills you already use in your role — not changing careers, but getting better, smarter, and more effective at what you’re already doing.
In the pool industry, upskilling can look like:


Developing leadership and people-management skills


Improving pricing, financial clarity, and decision-making


Learning new equipment, technology, and automation


Building sales and customer communication skills


Training your team so the business doesn’t rely only on you


Reskilling, on the other hand, is learning an entirely new role or function — like moving from service into building, retail, or management.
Throughout this episode, Edgar and Leanne break down why most frustration, burnout, and leadership struggles aren’t people problems — they’re skill gaps. They also explain why access to information alone doesn’t create better leaders, and how structure, mentorship, and intentional learning are what actually drive growth.
Whether you’re a one-truck operator or scaling a multi-location business, this conversation will help you:


Understand when to upskill vs when to reskill


Recognize early signs of burnout and stagnation


Build stronger leaders and more accountable teams


Create growth without chaos


Shift from operator thinking to owner thinking


This episode isn’t about working harder — it’s about thinking differently so your business can grow with clarity and control.
⏱️ Episode Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast01:05 – Why upskilling and reskilling matter right now03:00 – Pool Nation events, shows, and upcoming education06:10 – What upskilling really looks like in real life09:45 – AI, technology, and staying relevant13:20 – How pool pros upskill without realizing it16:10 – The difference between upskilling and reskilling18:50 – When you should reskill vs improve your current skills21:40 – Why people think they need to quit when they really need new skills25:10 – Learning, testing, applying, and sharing knowledge30:00 – Burnout, overwhelm, and hidden skill gaps33:10 – Leadership problems vs skill problems37:20 – Why information alone doesn’t create better leaders40:50 – Time, structure, and intentional learning44:30 – Sponsor break46:00 – Upskilling business owners for growth and scale50:30 – Hiring for skill vs hiring for personality55:10 – Upskilling pool techs: sales, safety, and trust1:01:40 – Retail teams, product knowledge, and relationships1:07:30 – Why training fails without structure1:12:00 – Train-the-trainer mindset and leadership confidence1:17:40 – Why guided learning and mentorship matter1:21:10 – The most important mindset shift: growth mindset1:26:30 – Final thoughts and takeaways1:30:00 – Closing remarks and where to find Pool Nation

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