Elevate Construction

Are you grading high enough in all areas of life to keep your head up? In this episode, Jason introduces the Wheel of Life, a powerful tool to assess whether you're balanced across seven key areas: physical body, emotions and meaning, relationships, time, work and mission, finances, and spiritual contribution. You'll hear Jason respond to listener feedback about jobs spiraling out of control and the tension between schedule and information, learn why you need at least four areas above a grade of seven to avoid a dark spot, and discover Tony Robbins' model for taking massive action. This is about protecting yourself by getting help when you need it because the tough guy facade is fake, and we all need support sometimes. What you'll learn in this episode: How to use the Wheel of Life to grade yourself in seven key areas and identify where you're struggling Why the flow of information is king, and the schedule comes first, they work together, not against each other The warning sign: if you don't have at least four areas above a seven, get coaching or clinical help immediately Tony Robbins' model for massive action: get your body in shape, find your passion, decide and commit, then take immediate intelligent action Why the tough exterior is a façade, real strength is asking for help when you need it If your wheel is jagged and you don't have wins in life, you can't sustain it. Get help. Keep your head up. You deserve 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

What would you do if the railroad blocked your critical lumber shipment, and litigation would take five years? In this chapter of Calumet K, Bannon refuses to let emotion drive his decisions, recruiting farmers with a grudge against the railroad to haul lumber overland while he orchestrates barges, fixes broken bridges in the night, and sets aggressive timelines that leave everyone breathless. Jason reflects on the power of urgency, logistical genius, and clearing roadblocks before they stop your workforce because the fastest path forward reduces the opportunity for things to go wrong. This is about execution through total participation, not heroics. What you'll learn in this episode: Why Bannon refuses slow legal action and builds a creative solution using farmers, wagons, and barges instead The principle of aggressive timelines: "It moves in an hour" instills urgency without compromising safety or respect How Bannon clears roadblocks, proactively fixing the bridge at night so 1,500 feet of lumber can flow smoothly Why character and integrity matter: Bannon refuses to manipulate the wheat market for personal gain despite a clear opportunity The logistical genius of checking every possible breakdown point and ensuring redundant checks for flow Bannon doesn't say "I'll do it myself"; he leverages everyone and everything available because the rapidity of advance toward victory reduces the opportunity for obstacles to stop you. 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

Tell me you don't judge a restaurant by the quality of their bathrooms—because on a construction project, how your bathroom goes is how your project will go. In this episode, Jason makes the bold case that remarkable bathrooms are foundational to operational excellence, walking you through multiple practical solutions from building them out of trailers to fitting them inside the building itself. You'll learn why lean culture always starts in the bathroom, how to build custom facilities for $7,000-$14,000, and why management should use the same bathrooms as the workers. This is about respect for people as a production strategy, and it starts with white epoxy paint, great lighting, and zero tolerance for dirty conditions. What you'll learn in this episode: Why the state of your bathrooms is a key indicator of morale, health, and project culture, check them first when you walk into a site Four viable bathroom solutions: build out of trailers, standalone facilities, inside the building, or upgraded event restrooms The bare minimum requirements: cleaned 3-5 times per week, handwash stations, trash cans, music, white paint, and great lighting Why you should budget bathroom quality into mockups and get creative with insulated tents, plywood partitions, and temporary fixtures The story of workers ripping clothing for toilet paper and why that proves we have disrespect in construction Lean starts in the bathroom, and if you wouldn't let someone drain your bank account without permission, don't let dirty bathrooms drain the culture and respect on your project site. 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

Would you let someone randomly access your bank account and spend your money on things you don't even use? Would you let them make you feel guilty for saying no? That's exactly what you're doing with your time, and Jason says time is more valuable than money. In this episode, Jason makes the case for why a personal organization system is the number one thing anyone in construction should implement, walking you through the five steps of mastering workflow from David Allen's Getting Things Done. If you're wasting 30-40% of your time because you don't have a system to capture, clarify, organize, reflect, and engage with your tasks, this is your wake-up call. What you'll learn in this episode: Why time is more valuable than money—you can earn and borrow money, but you can't earn or borrow time The powerful metaphor of people draining your bank account without permission, and how it mirrors what happens with your time every day The five steps of mastering workflow: capture, clarify, organize, reflect, and engage and how to implement them by Friday Why do you need as few capturing buckets as possible, and must empty them regularly to stop wasting 40% of your day The three daily habits of a builder: 30 minutes in your drawings, 30 minutes in your schedule, and 30 minutes on a reflection walk Stop letting people schedule meetings without your consent and waste your most valuable commodity. Get organized, protect your time, and start doing the work of three people. 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

Is operational control a dirty word, or is it exactly what your project needs to protect your people and deliver results? In this episode, Jason breaks down the false choice between command-and-control and collaboration, showing you how to build a system that uses both. You'll learn why the industry has demonized the wrong concepts, how to get scheduling information all the way to your workers, and the exact workflow that moves your project from chaos to operational excellence. This is about protecting families by protecting flowand it starts with having control of your project site. What you'll learn in this episode: Why collaborative planning and accountable execution aren't opposites—they're partners in operational control The three systems compared: Old System, Last Planner System, and Operational Control System, and where information breaks down in each How afternoon foreman huddles and morning worker huddles solve the 50% communication breakdown that kills your schedule Why your project needs six weeks of structured implementation before collaboration can truly work The Rick Rescorla story from 9/11 and what "I have to evacuate my people now" means for your responsibility as a leader The system failed them; they didn't fail the system, so build a system that gets information all the way to the workers, protects your people, and gives you operational control without apology. 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

Intimacy can feel like an awkward topic until you realize it's one of the top friction points for new couples, right alongside finances and keeping the house clean. In this episode, Jason and Katie talk candidly about what they've seen with new couples in construction, what they struggled with themselves, and why "fix what bugs you" applies at home just as much as it does on a jobsite. You'll hear practical ways to communicate needs, reduce resentment, and build a system that actually works for your relationship. The goal isn't perfection it's progress, trust, and a home life that brings you joy. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · Why new couples commonly fight about finances, intimacy, and the house and how to stop the spiral · How to "fix what bugs you" in a relationship without blame, shame, or avoidance · The difference between obligation and intentional partnership and how to move from one to the other · How Love Languages can help you translate what your spouse needs (even if it doesn't come naturally) · Why scheduling intimacy can be a healthy solution (and how to keep it from feeling transactional) · How resentment kills connection and how meeting needs outside the bedroom changes everything · Why kindness, consistency, and teamwork matter more than "spontaneity" · How prayer and alignment helped Jason and Katie break through a long-standing struggle · A simple framework for new couples: talk openly, make a plan, work the plan, adjust together · The bigger aim: build a marriage that brings joy, stability, and strength for your life and career If you're a new couple in construction, don't wait years hoping things "just get better." Have the honest conversation, build the system together, and keep refining it. Share this with someone who needs 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

In this episode, Jason sits down with Dr. Steve and Amanda from BioHealth Management to talk about something most teams ignore until it's too late: shoulder pain, shoulder wear-and-tear, and the long-term consequences of "just pushing through it." They break down the real difference between symptoms vs. source, why the pain often shows up in the back even when the problem starts in the front, and how repetitive motion, posture, tool belts, harnesses, and desk work quietly stack up over time. The goal isn't just to feel better at work it's to stay strong enough to enjoy life after work without pain, stiffness, or lost mobility. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · Why shoulder pain is usually the symptom and not the source · How forward posture (phones, computers, harnesses, bags) shortens the front and weakens the back · The most common shoulder issues workers retire with (impingement, bursitis, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff problems) · How to spot early warning signs before they become long-term damage · Why "stretching" can help but only if you do the right kind at the right time · A simple chest/pec stretch that opens up the front of the shoulder safely · A practical activation sequence for the back muscles (including easy jobsite-friendly movements) · Why shoulder circles and toe-touching stretches can backfire for certain people · How ergonomic desks can still cause strain if you set them up wrong · How taking care of shoulders supports performance on the job and quality of life at home The big takeaway is simple: you don't have to accept shoulder pain as "part of the job." When teams learn how the body works, how to prepare it, and how to recover correctly, you can dramatically reduce injuries, improve mobility, and extend careers. 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

In this episode, Jason challenges a core assumption most leaders make on job sites: that people naturally know how to collaborate, speak up, and engage in healthy meetings. The truth is, many workers have been conditioned their entire lives to stay quiet, avoid conflict, follow hierarchy, and survive not participate. If you've ever wondered why pull plans stall, meetings feel awkward, or foremen won't engage, this episode explains exactly why. Jason breaks down what's really happening beneath the surface and how great leaders can deprogram these behaviors to build trust, engagement, and real teamwork. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · Why people struggle to speak up in pull plans, huddles, and coordination meetings · How traditional schooling conditions workers to avoid conflict and authority · Why silence, resistance, or disengagement is often a learned survival behavior · What to expect when new trade partners enter a Lean or collaborative environment · How fear of hierarchy shuts down communication on job sites · Why some foremen become aggressive or withdrawn in meetings · The importance of psychological safety before demanding accountability · How to assume positive intent without lowering standards · Practical ways to rebuild trust and participation on your project · How leaders can retrain teams to collaborate, plan, and problem-solve together If you want better meetings, stronger pull plans, and teams that actually collaborate instead of shut down, this episode will change how you see people and how you lead them. Start building trust, reinforce the right behaviors, and commit to creating a culture where people feel safe enough to speak up and contribute. 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

In this episode, Jason challenges you to stop waiting for permission to grow and start investing in yourself like it matters because it does. Training isn't fluff, and personal development isn't optional if you want to level up. If you want better opportunities, better confidence, better results, and a better life, you have to sharpen the saw on purpose. This episode is a direct push to pick your next training, schedule it, pay for it, and get after it. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · Why negative voices keep people stuck and how to replace them with a positive feedback loop · Why training is one of the best returns on investment you'll ever get · What "sharpening the saw" looks like in real life and real career progression · How Jason approaches investing in himself yearly and why it compounds · Why "technical-only" learning misses the point of leadership and growth · How to identify what you actually need next instead of copying someone else's path · How your "red zone" helps you choose the right training and avoid miserable promotions · A simple process to pick 2–3 growth targets, research training options, and schedule them · How to approach your company to pay for training and how to come back and teach it · Why you should schedule the training first, then figure out the money second Training changes your skill set, your mindset, your confidence, and your ability to lead. If you want the next level, you have to force the jump and invest in yourself on purpose. 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

In this episode, Jason breaks down a simple truth that most teams avoid: owners don't get mad because problems happen they get mad when they're surprised. If you want trust, repeat work, and a healthy project team, you have to take the owner with you as issues emerge, not at the end when the damage is already done. This episode is about transparency, early warning systems, and how to communicate problems with a plan so you protect relationships, protect the team, and protect the job. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · Why "we'll just absorb it" usually backfires later · How surprises destroy owner trust more than bad news does · The right way to report problems without dumping them on the owner · How to use OAC meetings to keep everything above-board and visible · Why schedules must stay accurate and never be "falsified to look good" · How open-book thinking reduces stress and improves collaboration · What to do when procurement, design, or field issues start trending bad · The simple language to notify owners early and reset expectations · Why "problems belong to the team" is the only sustainable mindset · How transparency today becomes your best marketing for the next job If you're a superintendent, PM, or project executive, your job is not to hide pain until the end. Your job is to surface issues early, bring a recovery plan, and keep the owner informed so they feel in control. No surprises. No last-minute shock. Take them with you. 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