John Newland

John Newland

From The Steward Chair by Chat With Leaders Media

March 25, 2026 · 24 min · Episode 201

About this episode

John Newland discusses his journey in transforming JOMA Construction into a 100% employee-owned firm guided by the principle of eudaimonia.

In this episode of The Steward Chair, John Newland, CEO at JOMA Construction, shares his journey of transitioning from a small home-flipping operation to a 100% employee-owned firm, exploring how the Greek concept of eudaimonia drives meaningful, long-term success. We discuss the philosophy of "getting better before getting bigger," the rigorous process of empower every team member, the establishment of the ESOP, and how true legacy is built by elevating others to lead the organization forward.   Key Takeaways The Power of Eudaimonia: Integrating a guiding principle of "human flourishing" and contentment into the daily operations and client interactions of a construction business. Democratizing Ownership: Why JOMA chose a 100% ESOP model to ensure all stakeholders benefit from the company's success without taking on individual financial risk. Leadership as Presence: Utilizing daily affirmations and personal poise to remain grounded and "fully present" within the inherent chaos of the business world.   Resources Mentioned Visit https://jomaconstruction.com/ Follow John Newland on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnewland/ Follow JOMA Construction on social media…

People in this episode

Guest: John Newland

Topics covered

  • employee ownership
  • leadership
  • business philosophy
  • eudaimonia
  • construction industry
  • team empowerment

Keywords

  • employee stock ownership plan
  • leadership presence
  • business growth
  • human flourishing
  • construction business

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: JOMA Construction

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