HVACR Summer 2025: Growth, Learning & Leadership

This summer was filled with meeting with members and their associates on opportunity, development, and forward-looking programs designed to shape the next generation of leaders. Across multiple tracks—ranging from technical training to talent development—participants engaged in experiences that blended innovation, leadership, and skill-building.

Emerging Leaders Program

The Emerging Leaders Program, launched in 2014, supports career development for professionals in the HVACR industry by offering learning and networking platforms that build leadership and functional skills. Participants attend conferences over three years to strengthen executive-level skills, connect with mentors, and engage with peers. They also participate in a dedicated session at the annual industry conference, covering a wide range of relevant topics. One track introduces a multidimensional counter-training program, ensuring participants strengthen both their technical foundations and interpersonal abilities.

The 2025 Emerging Leaders Conference brought together more than 100 participants and 10 mentors in San Francisco from July 22^nd-24^th for an immersive leadership experience.

The conference combined skills development in Team Leadership and Financial Literacy. Preparing attendees to step confidently into higher-impact roles and lead our HVACR industry into the future. Our time together was defined by collaboration, knowledge sharing, and a clear commitment to building future-ready leaders.

Expanding Digital & eLearning Platforms

A central theme this summer was the growing importance of digital learning. Several initiatives focused on:

• Custom e-learning portals designed to deliver tailored learning pathways for specific companies, leveraging their logos, font, and colors.

• eLearning programs that expanded access to technical, sales, and leadership content.

• Certification opportunities allow participants to validate their skills formally.

These advancements ensure that professional development is accessible anytime, anywhere—making training flexible, measurable, and impactful.

Branch Manager Workshop Programs:

Workshops and sessions emphasized core wholesale fundamentals, alongside best practices for branch leadership. Attendees learned strategies to:

• Strengthen their understanding of wholesale operations through pre-eLearning, identifying Key Performance Indicators before in-classroom and six follow-up calls once a month. Lead more effectively at the branch level, managing day-to-day responsibilities while fostering team growth.

• Develop as people leaders, focusing on mentoring, coaching, and inspiring those they supervise.

This program has been customized for several distributors based on their specific operations and business processes.

Talent Strategies & Customization

Talent was another focus of the summer, with sessions addressing how organizations can recruit, retain, and develop their workforce. Highlights included:

• Job description optimization and the use of modern tools like Predictive Index to align roles with individual strengths.

• Customized talent programs, ensuring training and leadership development fit unique organizational needs.

• Talent acquisition and succession planning strategies that emphasize adaptability and long-term growth.

Upcoming Fall 2025 New Talent Certification Programs:

As we engaged with members throughout the summer, gathering insights, feedback, and identifying evolving needs across the industry, we were simultaneously developing two new HARDI Certification Programs designed to strengthen leadership and workforce capabilities. These programs, set to launch this fall, reflect our commitment to providing members with practical, high-impact training solutions that address today’s challenges while preparing teams for future success.

Sales Mastery & Operational Excellence

Developing a Dynamic Sales Leadership for HVAC Certification Program to empower HVAC distributor sales leaders with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to lead high-performing teams in today’s competitive marketplace successfully. Through interactive discussions and practical frameworks, participants will strengthen their leadership skills, learn to align team members with company values, and foster a culture of engagement and accountability.

Key areas of focus include:

• Lead with Purpose: Define the role of a sales leader, adapt leadership styles, and align the organization around shared goals.

• Develop People: Know your team and customers, teach and coach essential skills, and foster engagement and accountability.

• Communicate Effectively: Master the art of difficult conversations and build stronger connections that drive performance.

• Drive Results: Match sales skills with customer needs, implement integrated dealer solutions, and focus on strategies that matter most.

Pilot program is scheduled for October 28^th & 29^th in Columbus. With offerings in 2026 of Public and Private Workshops customized to members' needs.

Leadership & Management

The People Leader Certification Program, which provides access to learning and network platforms, is designed for new and emerging managers who need more than technical know-how—they need the leadership skills to inspire, develop, and retain top talent.

Key areas of focus include:

• Performance & Leadership Development Strengthen leadership by applying structured coaching models (GROW/CLEAR), delivering effective feedback (SBI), managing change, delegating decisions, and conducting impactful performance reviews. Build trust, model ethical integrity, and cultivate self-awareness, empathy, and accountability to inspire and motivate HVACR teams.

• Workplace Culture, Inclusion & Relationships Foster collaboration across generations, mitigate unconscious bias, and embrace diversity to drive innovation in HVACR distribution. Strengthen team culture by building relationships, managing conflict, creating inclusive environments, and recognizing the power of appreciation and recognition aligned with performance.

• Talent Growth & Organizational Success Drive retention and engagement through structured associate development, succession planning, effective onboarding, and ongoing feedback. Support growth with personalized development plans, mentoring, and coaching strategies that align with individual and organizational goals.

• Operational Excellence & Productivity Improve business outcomes with accounting fundamentals, time management strategies, SMART goal setting, and effective team meetings. Apply practical tools, frameworks, and communication techniques to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and achieve measurable results.

This program will be offered in Columbus on October 14^th and 15^th and can be tailored to your organization's needs and delivery cadence.

Reflecting on Summer 2025

The summer of 2025 highlighted the power of blending leadership development, technical training, and digital innovation. Whether through the Emerging Leaders Program, Branch Manager Certification Program, or Talent Sessions, participants left with stronger skills, new ideas, and a vision for the future.

This season wasn’t just about learning—it was about transformation. The experiences of summer 2025 will continue to ripple forward, shaping leaders who are ready to adapt, inspire, and drive meaningful change.

Invest in Your Workforce with HVACR Resources

HARDI provides our members with Talent Consultant Engagements focused on customized solutions to drive your people and culture strategies, best-in-class training programs, both public and private, and customized eLearning programs relevant to the HVACR industry. If you’d like to learn more about these programs to engage and retain your associates or discuss how to attract, recruit, or hire associates, contact HARDI’s Talent Development Team.