How The Most Influential Restoration Leaders Foster Innovation and Stay Ahead

The restoration industry doesn’t wait for anyone to catch up. Fires rage, storms strike, pipes burst, and while most people are scrambling to make sense of the chaos, leaders in this industry roll up their sleeves to work.

But here’s the kicker: the restoration industry is about knowing how to fix what’s broken. This isn’t just homes—it’s systems, processes, and ways of thinking, too.

Chapter 6 of our latest book, Building Leaders, gets to the heart of this challenge. Specifically, it investigates how the most influential restorers encourage innovation and stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry with endless demands.

Thanks to wisdom from leaders like Tony Scott, Chuck Lane, and Steve Glozik, we have a blueprint for what it takes to thrive when the only constant is unpredictability.

Here are five ways to not just solve today’s problems but innovate towards a better tomorrow

Build For Centuries And Not Quarters

Building a company around people just looking for a paycheck is like building a house out of sandbags. It might look sturdy for a while, but the moment a better payday rolls in, it all washes away—and someone else is stuck cleaning up the mess. That’s what happens when leaders focus on quick wins and short-term gains. It works...until it doesn’t.

The companies that last are built by leaders who zoom out, way out, and think about the next decade, not just the next deal.

Tony Scott, CEO of Pro-Claim Group, nails it: “You can’t just be worried about this job or that job. You need to think about ten years from now, having a company full of people who will drive it forward without needing you so much.”

For leaders like Tony, enduring success comes from deliberate choices. The top restoration leaders create cultures where learning is a continuous process, innovation is part of the fabric, and teams are prepared to navigate an unpredictable future. It’s therefore no accident that every decision, every hire, every system they put in place is designed with a legacy in mind.

Create A Culture of Continuous Learning

In an industry where things change faster than you can say “flood damage,” learning isn’t optional; it’s survival. There’s a clear link between building an enduring company and creating a culture within that company of continuous learning and development. Future-proofing your company isn’t just about today’s training. It’s also about consistent application of said training and continuous improvement.

Chuck Lane from BluSky Restoration Contractors sums it up perfectly:

“I think a lot of people go, well, I’m going to go to this class, and I’m going to leave here fully equipped to go do what I need to do,” Chuck explains. “But that’s just not the case. Learning is an ongoing process.”

Embed Innovation Into Your DNA

One advantage of a culture of continuous learning is that the company will always be innovating. It’s not just about keeping up—it’s about acknowledging that what got you here today won’t get you there tomorrow. And here’s a little secret: innovation thrives when it’s fueled by curiosity, not just orders from above.

“Internal incentives are much stronger than external motivators,” says Tony Scott of Pro-Claim Group. “Innovation comes when a team member’s drive comes from within.” In other words, if people feel invested in the result, they’ll go beyond what’s expected, and that’s where real innovation lives.

Steve Glozik at FP Property Restoration also takes a complementary approach to the point.

“I don’t limit what staff have access to,” he says. “If someone wants to learn a new role, let them. Who am I to say no?” That mindset encourages growth and builds a culture where exploration is rewarded, not restricted.

The outcome is an organization filled with people constantly leveling up and punching above their weight to keep you ahead of the competition.

Navigate Change Effectively

Innovation is uncomfortable; it pokes holes in old habits and ruffles feathers. That’s why so few companies manage to stay innovative over time. Leaders like Chuck Lane know the secret isn’t just about having ideas; it’s about winning over the people who can champion them.

“I want to find the person in the office with the voice,” Chuck says. “That might not be the leader. It could be the restoration supervisor or even a technician—anyone the team listens to.”

As Chuck explains in Building Leaders, the secret ingredient is connection. Instead of bulldozing through resistance, he listens to concerns, identifies what’s holding people back, and patiently demonstrates how new initiatives align with their personal and professional goals.

The lesson here is clear: Change is about identifying the right people, addressing their concerns, and empowering them to lead from within. Once you get that right, any short-term discomfort is offset by long-term compounding gains that come from building a future-proof company that withstands the test of time.

Cultivate A Culture of Resilience

Survival in the restoration industry isn't guaranteed. Instead, it's earned, one good decision at a time, compounding into an unshakeable organization. Leaders like Tony Scott, Chuck Lane, and Steve Glozik know the key to resilience starts with a simple, ongoing question: “How can we be better tomorrow than we are today?”

Their strategy is straightforward but powerful. They build systems that keep their teams growing, learning, and aligned with the company’s vision. They remove unnecessary barriers, allowing employees to take ownership of their work. Instead of rushing to fix gaps, they take the time to meet team members where they are, showing them how their role contributes to a bigger mission and benefits everyone involved.

This mix of foresight, adaptability, and dedication to long-term growth creates organizations ready to thrive, no matter what challenges lie ahead.

The Future is Flexible

If there’s one thing to take from this, it’s that lasting success isn’t about rigid plans or short-term wins. It’s about staying flexible and building for the long haul.

The restoration industry doesn’t hand out free passes, and leaders like Tony Scott, Chuck Lane, and Steve Glozik know that thriving tomorrow starts with making intentional choices today.Their secret isn’t flashy. They focus on what matters most: people, progress, and building for a future that’s ready for anything.

If you want to learn how to build for the future, Building Leaders lays it all out. Download the book today and start creating organizations and leaders that stand the test of time.