Elevate Construction

Jason reveals why Disney's Home on the Range was garbage and how Pixar's brutal first review meetings (where teams leave dejected knowing everything will change) produce emotionally moving, visually stunning films. He explains the cultural shift needed to declare breakdowns: we've been programmed to shut up in school and bad jobs, we don't have eyes to see problems because we're conditioned for mediocre, and Americans just aren't accountable people (compare to Japan's duty-driven culture). The problem bowl technique helps teams detach emotion and realize problems belong to the group, not the person. What you'll learn in this episode: Disney story: Home on the Range flopped, Pixar came in with brutal first reviews that tear everything apart to get it right Four cultural needs: Shift to speaking up, eyes to see (higher mental setpoint), more accountability, understand problems not a problem Americans not accountable: Japan puts credit card on tray with duty, we throw trash and say "not my problem" Problem bowl technique: Write breakdowns on sticky notes, throw in bowl, team discusses together, detaches emotion When to declare: Disconnect with team, waste, defects to customer, disrespects people, confusion, results not what you want Safety and respect rule: Stop immediately, doesn't matter if you agree, be considerate enough to listen The current condition is we don't speak up, we make crap work, sometimes push it to customer, people don't feel authorized, we reinforce disconnected culture. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

Jason reveals why personality profiles are like blood tests for teams, getting actual data instead of guessing what's wrong and masking problems with pills of consequences (firing, moving, black clouding people). He shares the story of a project manager who hated emails and wanted verbal communication, once Jason knew this their relationship blossomed. Player cards summarize key characteristics so teams know how to interact, give feedback, have conflict, and build safe pathways to communication. The three best profiles: Myers-Briggs, StrengthsFinder, Six Working Geniuses. Teams that communicate more effectively are the winning teams. What you'll learn in this episode: Player cards: Summarized cards showing key characteristics, how someone wants feedback, strengths, weaknesses, how to support them Top 3 personality profiles: Myers-Briggs (MBTI), StrengthsFinder, Six Working Geniuses for $60-110 per person Cancer and leprosy analogies: Body doesn't know the problem so can't fix it, same with teams Naturopathic doctor story: Blood tests with 100 data points fix root cause vs regular doctors guessing and prescribing pills to mask problems Black boxes from airplane crashes: Difference between wrecking and not wrecking is how much captain and first officer communicated Six steps not five: Know each other, trust, healthy conflict, set goals, accountability, perform You can't trust each other unless you know each other, why would we guess what's wrong when we could get data and fix the root cause? If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

Jason shares his 12 Days of Christmas family plan (reflection, vision, goals, habits) before diving into total participation as the new construction industry buzzword. Then he reveals why most leaders rush to solutions without defining the problem first. Through a personal church story, he admits he pushed missionary work programs for months when the real problem was basic connection and scripture reading. Like cancer cells the body doesn't recognize or leprosy destroying nerve endings, if you don't know the problem, you can't fix it. The WRAP process helps: Widen options, Reality test assumptions, Attain distance, Prepare to be wrong. What you'll learn in this episode: Total participation: Days of leaders deciding for everyone and shoving it down throats are over Church story failure: Pushed missionary work programs when real problem was basic connection, joy, scripture reading Cancer analogy: Body doesn't recognize cancer cells as enemy, can't attack what it doesn't detect Leprosy analogy: Destroys nerve endings so body doesn't know there's damage to repair Ask introverts: They take 24 hours but give well thought out opinions, help define problem first WRAP process from Decisive book: Widen options, Reality test, Attain distance before deciding, Prepare to be wrong The current condition is we go straight to solutions without really knowing the problem, especially extroverts who access front part of brain for quick opinions. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

Jason announces he's pausing Saturday and Sunday worker and field engineer topics to focus on the upcoming book and boot camps. Then he shares his nightmare story of running a job without field engineers, spending $250k from contingency on layout mistakes that would've been prevented. He walks through the 43-step process of what field engineers should actually be doing, from personal organization and the Field Engineering Methods Manual to primary control, baselines, lift drawings, and quality checks. Field engineers aren't personal assistants, they're professional construction managers training to become superintendents. What you'll learn in this episode: Nightmare story: Job without field engineers cost $250k in contingency from layout and general mistakes Success story: Roman Lug Cruz, craft worker who only spoke Spanish, trained to be field engineer in eight months Field Engineering Methods Manual: Chapters 1-8 are the Bible for organization, layout, total stations, levels, lasers 43-step startup process: Tools, testing area, primary control, secondary control, baselines, benchmarks, lift drawings What field engineers really do: Professional construction managers doing layout, quality, safety, RFIs, not personal assistants If you're a general contractor saying "I wish I had better supers," field engineering is your silver bullet for training future superintendents. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

Jason shares The Bridgebuilder poem and delivers tough love to workers and foremen: you're not investing in yourself. He breaks down the wasting time list (too much TV, video games, complaining, comparing) versus the investing time list (courses, networking, learning skills, gym). Then he confronts the lie that you can't progress in construction without college. You can become a field engineer, superintendent, or business owner if you read books, listen to podcasts, develop morning routines, and stop the hedonistic pursuit of pleasure as a way of life. What you'll learn in this episode: The Bridgebuilder poem: Old man builds bridge for youth coming behind him, we learn from wisdom not sad experience Wasting time: TV, video games, negative news, bad friends, too much alcohol, being lazy Investing time: Courses, networking, learning skills, side hustle, gym, reading books The lie society tells: You didn't go to college so you can't be VP, director, business owner Top five changes: Read scriptures daily, read books, stop negative media, date night with spouse, set goals and grind We can choose to be animals looking for pleasure or creators looking for opportunity, the world pays you what it thinks you're worth based on what you've trained your mind to do. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

Jason reveals the system that achieved zero roughin rework after drywall at his research laboratory. After ripping out 20 to 30% of inwall roughin at the cancer center because of coordination failures, he developed room kitting, a prefabrication approach where every wall gets coordinated in Revit, reviewed by end users, pre-cut, and delivered in blue bins with laminated drawings that get screwed to the wall for framing, roughin, and inspections. Electricians stop guessing with four different drawing sets, inspectors sign off on the wall drawings, and asbuilts write themselves. What you'll learn in this episode: The problem: Cancer center had 20 to 30% roughin rework, electricians guessing with multiple drawing sets Room kitting process: BIM creates cut sections, trade partners mark dimensions in Blue Beam, page flip with designers and end users Pre-cut delivery system: Parts come in blue bins with barcode, bill of materials, and room drawings ready to install Wall drawings: Laminated 11x17 screwed to wall, used for framing, roughin, inspections, then archived for asbuilts Research lab results: Zero roughin rework after drywall in complex laboratory, inspectors love the system The current condition is electricians go out with four different drawing sets, guess at best, put it in wrong, and even if it's right it's still not where the user wants it. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

Jason reveals one of the four moments that changed his life: learning about giving first. He shares the Silent Squares game where teams can only solve the puzzle when they give first, not take first. Then he unpacks The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann, the book that shifted his mindset from climbing the ladder (take take take) to giving first, which skyrocketed his career in three years. You'll learn the five laws of stratospheric success that work in marriage, business, and life. What you'll learn in this episode: Silent Squares game: Teams struggle until they switch from take first to give first, then solve the puzzle instantly Law of Value: Your real worth is how much more value you give than you get paid Law of Compensation: Your income is decided by number of people you serve and how well you serve them Law of Influence: Focus 100% on helping others, build an army of personal ambassadors Law of Authenticity: The biggest gift you offer is yourself, be genuine not pretending Law of Receptivity: To give effectively you must be open to receive, they're two sides of same coin When you focus on giving value as a way of life, the money will naturally follow, and you live after the manner of happiness. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

Jason starts with a somber note, his friend just passed from COVID-19, reminding us life is fragile. Then he dives into Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller, revealing how he used this framework to win a major proposal by making the customer the hero instead of talking about his company. You'll learn the seven-part story structure that wins work, why people buy solutions to internal problems not external ones, and why you're losing customers if you're not clarifying your message through story. What you'll learn in this episode: The book in one sentence: Make your customer the hero, not your brand Why customers buy solutions to internal problems, not external problems The guide principle: Customers trust someone with a clear plan People avoid loss more than they seek gain, use this ethically How Jason restructured proposals using story: hero wants something, villain blocks them, guide helps them win The day we stop losing sleep over our business success and start losing sleep over our customers' success is the day our business starts growing again. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

Jason and Katie get deeply personal about the month Jason was suspended without pay for not reporting an inappropriate comment to a female colleague. Katie shares what it was like driving home for four days in a company rental after he was suspended, watching him spiral in guilt and shame. This vulnerable conversation reveals why we all have unconscious biases we don't recognize, how diversity makes teams statistically better, and why it doesn't cost us anything to support women and protected classes, but it will cost us everything if we don't. What you'll learn in this episode: The suspension story: Jason didn't report inappropriate comments, got suspended for a month, hated the director for years until realizing it changed his life Hospital study proves diversity wins: Mixed gender, race, ethnicity teams statistically outperform homogeneous teams every time How to handle harassment: Contact HR, legal, supervisors immediately, don't try to smooth things over or sweep under rug Fear drives bias: Scarcity mindset makes us fear loss, abundance mindset recognizes there's plenty of opportunity for everyone It doesn't cost anything: Supporting protected classes costs nothing but makes teams better, refusing to costs everything When we see protected classes winning and women being promoted, we should celebrate, there's plenty of room for all of us. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

Jason gets brutally honest about two career moments that changed his safety mindset forever. First, a safety manager threatened to fire him if he didn't take inspections seriously. Second, he was suspended for a month without pay for not reporting an inappropriate comment to a female colleague. These stories reveal why your safety set point isn't high enough yet, and why developing a safety-everywhere mentality now will save you from the butt chewing later. Safety isn't just physical, it's mental, emotional, and about protecting the innocent from harassment and discrimination. What you'll learn in this episode: Jason's safety wake-up call: Threatened with termination for blowing off inspections, became a safety fanatic overnight The suspension story: Month without pay for not protecting the innocent, not reporting inappropriate workplace comment Why safety is a value, not a priority: Priorities change, values remain constant The safety-everywhere mentality: At work, at home, at church, driving, protecting people from COVID, appropriate behavior The challenge: Amp up your game now, take training seriously, develop safety mindset before you become someone's nightmare Your mental set point needs to be set a lot higher for a safety-everywhere mentality, or you'll have that moment where you get your butt chewed to get your mind in the right spot. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw