Elevate Construction

In this episode, Jason walks through Chapter 3 of Calumet K and connects it directly to real-world construction leadership. The story of Charlie Bannon exposes a critical lesson: great builders don't accept surface answers when procurement fails they hunt for root causes and create new paths forward. This episode is about persistence, situational awareness, and the mindset required to win when systems push back. If you've ever been told "there's nothing we can do," this one is for you. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · Why accepting vague procurement excuses guarantees delays · How Charlie Bannon models true root-cause problem solving · The danger of relying on phone calls instead of face-to-face investigation · How power, politics, and hidden incentives affect material flow · Why great builders refuse to be "buzzed away" by authority · What it means to think several moves ahead under pressure · How imagination and situational awareness unlock better decisions · Why winning builders always develop Plan B, C, D, and beyond · How persistence turns roadblocks into strategic advantages · What modern superintendents can learn from this classic story If you're facing stalled materials, unclear answers, or political roadblocks on your project, take this episode as a challenge. Don't stop at the first explanation. Dig deeper, ask better questions, and build alternate plans until you find a way forward. 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

Most superintendents don't fail because they lack talent they struggle because they lack consistent standard work. In this episode, Jason breaks down the Superintendent Commandments: the daily habits that create safety, cleanliness, flow, and trust on a construction project. He explains how these principles work regardless of personality style and why discipline always beats raw ability. If you run this system long enough, the results compound less stress, better projects, and a stronger career. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · What "commandments" really mean standard work that predicts success, not rigid rules · The daily loop every great superintendent follows: drawings, schedule, reflection walk · Why studying drawings every day is non-negotiable for real builders · How reviewing the schedule daily triggers assignments, readiness, and accountability · Why carrying the schedule into the field changes how you see manpower and flow · The power of visualization and repeating the plan until it sticks · Why every superintendent needs a tape measure and what it symbolizes · How asking questions builds authority instead of weakening it · Why transparency eliminates stress and prevents disasters · The real job of leadership: removing roadblocks daily · How safety and cleanliness directly protect cost, schedule, and morale · Why returning calls, texts, and emails is a career-defining habit · How PMs and superintendents must operate as equal accountability partners · The 60-day discipline challenge and why consistency changes everything If you're a superintendent, commit to these commandments for the next 60 days and track your consistency. If you're a leader, challenge your supers to run this system and support them while they build the habit. Discipline compounds and when you master these basics, everything else gets easier. 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

Most projects don't fail in the field they fail before boots ever hit the site. In this episode, Jason walks through the builder's pre-construction game plan for "winning the war before going to battle," from strategy and flow to procurement, team setup, and workforce support. If you want a job that runs with clarity instead of chaos, this is the checklist-style breakdown of what to design, buy out, and align before Notice to Proceed. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · Why planning is the real "battle," and how most teams lose before construction even starts · How a morning routine (and box breathing) supports focus so you can actually execute your systems · What "anchor projects" are and why your best people should learn from them and replicate the model · The first-planner steps: project strategy, constraints, contract requirements, flow, and sequencing maps · Why Takt planning belongs before CPM/P6/Microsoft Project and how it protects trade flow · How a day-to-day geographic logistics analysis reveals the real production limits on tight sites · The WBS → sequence → logic-tie approach that prevents "compressing the schedule to fit a date" · How to identify bottlenecks and stabilize throughput instead of speeding up random activities · Building procurement into the plan early especially exterior systems, elevators, and long-leads · How to build the team in pre-con: roles by geography, leader standard work, and team health systems · Designing trailers and office layouts for collaboration (so lean actually has a chance to work) · Workforce win strategies: bathrooms, lunchrooms, huddles, parking, water/ice, and making work fun · "Contracts and costs for culture": buying out the behaviors you want (LPS, JIT, coordination, BIM) · Schedule health essentials: right detail level, commissioning/startup, monthly health checks and risk · Risk prevention systems: basis of schedule, sequence maps, trade partner buy-in, fresh-eyes reviews · The baseline discipline: backups, reports, owner interface strategy, and weekly schedule updates If you want remarkable performance in the field, you have to design the job people, logistics, culture, procurement, and flow in pre-con. Win the war first. Then go to battle. 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

Field engineering mistakes are expensive and most of them are preventable. In this episode, Jason lays out the "field engineering commandments," the core practices that protect you from the big, painful errors that cost time, money, and trust. If you're a field engineer (or want to become one), this is a practical checklist to tighten your habits, improve your accuracy, and build confidence in your work. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · Why following proven field practices prevents major rework and costly layout errors · The critical control, benchmark, and verification steps that keep your project coordinates honest · What "always check" really means and how to double-check correctly (tech, direction, person, approach) · Why closed level loops and properly documented benchmarks matter more than most teams realize · The baseline setup rule that makes your layout self-checking and reduces risk · Why you should never burn a foot and the simple tape technique that eliminates the mistake · The hidden accuracy problems with forefoot prism poles and when to use mini prisms instead · Why calibration isn't optional and how defective gear quietly creates bad data · How better field notes, labeling, and documentation protect you and the project This episode is about being professional, consistent, and dangerous in the best way meaning your work holds up, your layout is right, and your confidence is earned. Learn the commandments, build them into your standard work, and go home knowing it's correct. 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

This episode is dedicated to workers and foremen who want to take their next step but feel stuck, unsure, or intimidated by what comes next. Jason shares a key epiphany about why people stall in their careers and explains the real skills gap that holds foremen back from advancing. If you want to move forward with confidence instead of fear, this episode lays out a clear, practical path. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · Why career growth doesn't happen automatically—you have to force the jump · The hidden skills that stop foremen from advancing beyond early superintendent levels · Why technology, organization, and communication are the real barriers (not intelligence) · How fear of computers, email, and systems quietly limits career progression · Why the field engineer path accelerates long-term growth · The four core skill sets every future superintendent must master · How to train yourself if you don't have access to formal programs · What it actually takes to move from foreman to high-level leadership If you're a worker or foreman who wants more—more responsibility, more opportunity, more impact this episode is your wake-up call. Don't wait for someone to notice you or promote you. Take ownership of your growth, force the learning curve, and build the skills that unlock your next level. If you need help creating that path or want guidance on where to start, reach out, take action, and commit to your future. 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 and his wife Katie explore one of the most powerful mindset shifts for leaders: assuming positive intent. Through the concept of "skill, not will" from the book Changeable, they unpack why most people are doing their best even when their behavior is frustrating, and how identifying their positive intent allows you to stay in control, find win-win solutions, and avoid getting dragged into the mud. What you'll learn in this episode: Why most negative behavior is a skill problem, not a will problem How assuming positive intent keeps you in control and out of reactive mode The technique of identifying what someone is trying to accomplish (even when they do it poorly) Why people who seem difficult are often just trying to meet basic needs like significance or connection How this mindset shift frees you from the emotional weight of assuming the worst about people Stop getting dragged into the mud and start leading from a place of control. 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 construction, leaders often play savior when team members bring complaints about each other. But that approach drains your emotional currency, prevents real conflict resolution, and stops teams from building trust. In this episode, Jason breaks down the right way to handle complaints by connecting people directly, coaching healthy conflict, and building teams that solve their own problems instead of running to you. What you'll learn in this episode: Why playing savior with complaints drains your emotional currency and prevents team growth The four-step response system for handling complaints without becoming the middleman When you must handle complaints directly versus when you should connect people together How healthy teams function like Navy SEALs or Olympic teams with open coaching and accountability The guiding principle: Is this bringing the team closer together or pushing them further apart? Stop playing savior and start building teams that trust each other. 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 continues the Calumet K series with Chapter 2, where Charlie Peterson's inexperience becomes painfully clear against Bannon's problem-solving drive. Through the story of Murphy's rope drive job and Peterson's cribbing crisis, Jason unpacks what separates proficient superintendents from inexperienced ones and why comfort zone work is just running away from real leadership. What you'll learn in this episode: Why doing laborer's work means you're running away from your real job as a superintendent How productively paranoid leaders attack supply chain issues instead of hoping they resolve themselves Why great superintendents get out of their comfort zone to solve hard problems nobody else wants to tackle The difference between victim mentality and ownership mentality when deadlines and penalties are on the line How urgency and aggressive problem-solving separate proficient project teams from inexperienced ones Are you leading or just staying busy in your comfort zone? 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 construction, no scheduling system is one-size-fits-all not CPM, not Last Planner, not even Takt. But what if there was a framework that could work across nearly any project milestone with just team collaboration and a simple board? In this episode, Jason introduces Scrum, an agile planning system built on transparency, daily standups, and constant feedback that can transform how your teams plan, execute, and actually win on site instead of just surviving. What you'll learn in this episode: Why traditional scheduling systems fall short and how Scrum creates true team collaboration without requiring scheduling expertise. The 12 practical steps to implement Scrum on your construction projects, from creating a backlog to running sprint retrospectives. How to use a simple four-column Scrum board to move tasks from planning to completion and gain on schedules instead of barely meeting them. Why Scrum works across milestones while other systems require specialized knowledge and constant adjustment. How daily standups, sprint reviews, and scoring systems create a process of constant improvement that makes teams faster and happier. Stop worrying about being behind start planning to win. 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

Safety, quality, and productivity aren't three competing dials you don't "pick two." In this episode, Jason is joined by Jim Rogers (known for his LinkedIn Learning work) to break down why those three outcomes are inextricably linked: when safety drops, productivity drops; when quality drops, safety and schedule suffer; and when teams chase speed without systems, everything gets worse. They talk about leading indicators, using technology and data to spot problems early, and adopting Lean thinking so you remove root causes instead of just adding manpower and hoping it fixes the mess. What you'll learn in this episode: Why "pick two" is a myth, and how safety, quality, and productivity rise and fall together How unsafe conditions reduce efficiency and quality (and why fear and chaos kill performance) How Lean thinking shifts the paradigm: remove waste and root causes instead of adding people to "clean up" problems How leading indicators and construction technology can reveal early warning signs before you get injuries, rework, and delays The challenge to "think differently" and build training, learning, and better systems into the industry Are you still living in the old paradigm of "pick two," or are you ready to build a system where safety, quality, and productivity improve together? 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