Ep 23 - The Leadership Crisis in Linework: What Every Lineman Needs to Hear

**Title:** **How to Build a Winning Line Crew Culture | Leadership Lessons from Utility Veterans** **YouTube Description:** What separates a good line crew from a great one? In this episode of **PowerGridTalks**, host **Thomas Williamson** sits down with veteran linemen **Alex Wakeland, Jake Stinnett, and Brandon Corbitt** for an in-depth conversation about leadership, crew culture, mentorship, and what it really takes to build high-performing teams in the electric utility industry. Whether you're a journeyman lineman, apprentice, groundman, utility supervisor, contractor, or someone preparing for a career in linework, this episode is packed with practical advice from professionals who have spent years working on transmission and distribution systems across the country. The conversation explores how strong leadership creates safer jobsites, why investing in people matters more than ever, and how experienced linemen can help develop the next generation of the workforce. The guests also share lessons they've learned from the field, discuss the importance of accountability, communication, and trust, and explain why a crew's culture can directly impact both safety and productivity. A major part of this discussion focuses on **Alex Wakeland's support of the JNCTN (Junction) program**, including why he believes structured mentorship, professional development, and investing in future lineworkers are essential to strengthening the electric utility workforce. His perspective highlights how programs like JNCTN help prepare the next generation of utility professionals while reinforcing the values that keep crews safe and successful. ### In this episode: - Building a strong line crew culture - Leadership lessons from experienced linemen - Developing apprentices and groundmen - Safety, accountability, and communication - Why mentorship matters in linework - The future of the electric utility workforce - Alex Wakeland's support of the JNCTN (Junction) program - Advice for current and future utility professionals (1:11) - Meet the Crew (2:06) - Choosing Jobs and Crew Trust (4:34) - How They Got Into Linework (8:54) - Apprenticeship and Traveling (10:19) - First Day on the Job (14:47) - Mentors and Trade Culture (17:02) - Substance Abuse on the Road (19:13) - What Good Leadership Looks Like (24:05) - College vs Trade Respect (28:31) - Safety and Field Reality (33:33) - Best Parts of Linework (38:42) - Fixing Hiring Paperwork (41:09) - Worst Part Away From Home (44:42) - Apprentices and Work Life (46:34) - Company Versus Crew (54:23) - Union Solidarity Example (57:56) - Training Gaps and Crane Risk (1:02:50) - Stop Work Authority Reality (1:05:42) - Three-Man Crew Flaws (1:08:25) - Responsibility And Spine (1:12:06) - Burned On Storm Calls (1:16:29) - Storm Work Hurts Training (1:19:57) - JNCTN Fix For Storm (1:27:39) - Paperwork And Privacy Wins (1:34:06) - Transparency Pushback (1:41:15) - How To Find JNCTN If you're passionate about **linework, electric utilities, power restoration, transmission, distribution, utility leadership, apprentice linemen, or the future of the power grid**, this episode delivers valuable insight from professionals who live it every day. Subscribe for more conversations with the people who build, maintain, and protect the electrical grid. 🌐 Learn more about the show: https://powergridtalks.com #PowerGridTalks #Lineman #ElectricUtility #UtilityLeadership #PowerGrid #Transmission #Distribution #Linework #UtilityJobs #ApprenticeLineman