Elevate Construction

Success in construction isn't about getting a new title, a new truck, or a new company it's about getting into your red zone: what you're best at, what you love doing, and what you get paid for. In this episode, Jason shares the "silver bullet" he believes can accelerate almost anyone's career in construction: finding your core purpose and building your fundamentals the right way. He tells the story of going from nearly getting fired as a field engineer to becoming a trusted teacher and coach—because he went back to basics, studied relentlessly, and implemented what works. If you want to level up fast, this episode will give you a direction and a practical starting point. What you'll learn in this episode: What "success without fulfillment is the ultimate failure" really means and how to find your red zone How to identify your core purpose (and why promotions won't fix misalignment) The difference between running to something vs. running away from something in your career decisions Why the Field Engineering Methods Manual can be a career "silver bullet," and how mastering fundamentals changes everything Why workers and foremen should consider the field engineer path to build a foundation before moving into superintendent leadership Are you chasing a new position to fix a feeling or are you willing to do the hard work to get aligned with your core purpose and build the foundation that will actually change your life? 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

Your body is your #1 tool, and if you don't take care of it, the job will eventually take it from you. In this episode, Jason is joined by Dr. Steve Grennan and Amanda Hill from Biohealth Management to talk specifically about lower-back pain, why sitting can wreck your spine, and how tight hamstrings and dehydration show up as real symptoms on the job. They give practical, jobsite-ready guidance for mobility, hydration, and prevention so you can work hard without paying for it later. Plus, they share how to get a simple stretch sheet and a giveaway for boot insoles for the first listeners who take action. What you'll learn in this episode: Why sitting (car rides, slouching, and "resting" at home) can make lower-back issues worse How tight hamstrings pull your pelvis, flatten your low-back curve, and create symptoms The difference between nerve-related pain vs. muscular strain and how to recognize early warning signs Why hydration matters for joints, muscle function, and recovery—and how dehydration shows up fast How to get a simple low-back stretch program and request a free insole kit (first 75 who email JasonS@ElevateConstructionISD.com) Are you treating your body like a replaceable part or like the asset that determines 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

Construction can build a great career but it can also quietly take your family if you don't design the lifestyle on purpose. In this episode, Jason is joined by his wife, Katie, for an honest conversation about what it really takes to protect families in a high-intensity industry: making clear agreements, setting expectations, staying kind, and showing up at home with the right energy. They share real stories from the early years, the sacrifice of travel and long hours, and the practical mindset shift that helps couples stop "surviving construction" and start building a life together. What you'll learn in this episode: Why couples must make the "deal" up front: expectations for hours, travel, moving, and what support really looks like How construction spouses build home systems and why the working spouse shouldn't come home and disrupt them Why being tired is never an excuse to be a jerk, and how kindness and presence matter more than perfection Practical ways dads and moms can show up: helping with kids, communicating, and becoming a positive influence at home Why "builders build lives": stop competing, stop comparing, and keep working back toward balance, health, and family stability If your family is the most important project you have, what agreement and habit will you build next so your home stays strong while you build in the field? 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

If you've ever wondered how Scrum can actually work in construction, this episode is your introduction from the source. Jason interviews Felipe Engineer, a Lean leader and Scrum master, to break down how Scrum creates flow, reduces multitasking, and helps teams attack the most critical and troublesome parts of a project with fast feedback loops. They also get into a huge point that matters for real builders: Lean tools like Last Planner should be PDCA'd and adapted to fit the project, not treated like a rigid template that burns people out. This is a practical conversation about being more agile, more nimble, and more effective without losing respect for people. What you'll learn in this episode: What Scrum is (backlog → to-do/doing/done → daily scrum → review → retrospective) and how it maps to Last Planner thinking How Scrum helps teams stop multitasking, create flow, and deliver "done-done" work with fewer surprises Why Lean tools must be modified with PDCA to fit the job (and why "template-only" thinking kills buy-in) Where Scrum fits best in construction: complex functional areas like elevators, MRIs, critical changeovers, and high-risk scopes How to introduce Scrum the right way: start simple, meet people where they are, and let pull—not push—create adoption Are you trying to manage your project with rigid templates or are you willing to build an agile system that creates flow and lets the team 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

Productive paranoia isn't being negative, it's being responsible enough to take early warning signs seriously and fix problems before they crash-land the project. In this episode, Jason challenges the "buddy-buddy" culture that protects proximity relationships over the owner, the team, and your family. He shares a real story of a project turning around the moment a toxic foreman was removed, and he lays out the leadership habit that separates strong builders from reactive firefighters: widen the circle early, raise the red flag early, and address issues while you still have time. What you'll learn in this episode: What "productive paranoia" is and why early action prevents project crash-lands Why "proximity loyalty" and savior behavior quietly destroy accountability and performance. When to widen your circle: bring facts, raise a hand, and get help early instead of hiding problems How to draw lines in the sand earlier: notices, supplementation, replacement, and hard conversations Why protecting the owner, the team, and your family must come before protecting reputations and relationships Where are you "hoping it gets better" instead of raising the flag, widening the circle, and fixing it right now? 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

If you wait too long to address problems, you're not being "nice" you're enabling the project to get destroyed. In this episode, Jason breaks down productive paranoia: the habit of taking early warning signs seriously, widening your circle fast, and correcting issues before they become irreversible. He shares a real story about turning a struggling project around by making the hard call to remove a toxic foreman, and he challenges leaders to stop playing "buddy-buddy" or savior with people at the expense of the owner, the team, and their families. This is a short, direct reset on what proactive leadership really looks like. What you'll learn in this episode: What "productive paranoia" is and why early action prevents project crash-lands Why "proximity loyalty" (buddy-buddy, favorites, protecting reputations) quietly destroys accountability When and how to widen your circle: raise a hand, bring facts, and get help early How to draw lines in the sand earlier: notices, hard conversations, supplementation, or replacement Why protecting the owner, the team, and your family must come before protecting bad behaviors Where are you "hoping it gets better" instead of raising the flag, widening the circle, and fixing it right now? 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

Calumet K isn't just a story, it's a mirror for what happens on projects when urgency, organization, and leadership are either present… or missing. In this episode, Jason introduces Calumet K (Chapter 1), explains why the book matters for builders, and then breaks down the chapter with practical lessons you can apply immediately to real projects. You'll hear the contrast between an "unlucky" leader who waits and hopes, and a leader who takes control through urgency, problem-solving, communication, and systems that support the work. This is about becoming the kind of builder who brings order to chaos and refuses to let the job "run itself." What you'll learn in this episode: Why "unlucky" is often a mindset and how owners expect leaders to bring problems back into control The difference between a worker/foreman mindset and a superintendent mindset (leading vs. swinging the sledge) Why supportive systems matter: trailers, tools, ladders, planning, and the resources that make success possible How urgency shows up as action: go to the source, solve the problem, and stop "expecting" things to magically work out Why communication and organization are non-negotiable for real leadership (letters, follow-up, and discipline) Are you the leader who waits and hopes or the leader who takes control and builds order 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

The Last Planner System isn't just another meeting cadence; it's how you get total participation, real commitments, and predictable flow instead of a "shoved-down" schedule that nobody follows. In this episode, Jason breaks down what Last Planner is, why traditional CPM schedules often fail in the field, and how planning must get more detailed as you get closer to the work. He walks through the five key elements (master scheduling, pull planning, make-ready, weekly work planning, and day planning), plus practical rules for commitments, roadblock removal, and tracking Percent Plan Complete so teams can learn, improve, and stop the chaos. What you'll learn in this episode: Why total participation is the missing ingredient in most scheduling systems and how Last Planner fixes it Why planning should get more detailed as you get closer to the work (and why day-level plans months out are fake certainty) The five elements of Last Planner: master scheduling, pull planning, make-ready, weekly work planning, and day planning How to remove roadblocks fanatically, make reliable promises, and track Percent Plan Complete to drive continuous improvement Practical rules that make the system work: own your commitments, don't move others' tags, plan geographically, and protect reliability If your schedule "looks good" but crews keep showing up to unready work, what would change if you ran Last Planner with real commitments and real accountability? 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_3p5nmMKnswSample

Cleanliness isn't a personality quirkit's a leadership habit that shows up in your jobsite results, your communication, your planning, and your life at home. In this episode, Jason shares his personal "cleanliness journey" (from messy, to overly obsessive, to a healthy balance) and explains why a clean, organized environment is one of the strongest indicators of operational control on a project. He connects cleanliness to mindset, discipline, and total participation, and challenges field engineers and superintendents to raise their "set point" for clean without becoming a dictator about it. What you'll learn in this episode: Why cleanliness is a differentiator and one of the fastest indicators a project is in trouble or under control How to find the healthy balance between "messy" and "obsessive" and lead with influence, not criticism Why running a clean jobsite is one of the hardest things to do and why it proves you can run anything How outer order creates inner peace: clean desk, clean files, clean truck, clean plans, clean communication A practical challenge to reset your habits: keep everything clean and organized for 1–4 weeks and watch what changes If cleanliness shows up everywhere you lead, what will you clean, organize, and systematize this week so your work and life stop feeling chaotic? 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_3p5nmMKnswSample

A great crew doesn't happen by accident; it's built through clear expectations, repeated communication, and a real orientation system that sets people up to win. In this Saturday "worker and foreman" episode, Jason shares a powerful story about one of the best foremen he's ever seen and how that foreman created A-player performance by onboarding every worker with a clear list of standards and reinforcing it weekly. You'll learn why it takes seven repetitions for messages to stick, how longer orientations reduce incidents, and why foremen must act as teachers and coaches not just "the toughest worker on site." What you'll learn in this episode: Why people don't need to be taught as much as they need to be reminded and why it takes seven repetitions for expectations to stick What "remarkable orientation" looks like at the company level and the project level (and why longer orientations reduce incidents) How one elite foreman onboarded workers with a written standards list and repeated it weekly to create consistent A-player behavior Why morning worker huddles and 25-minute crew prep huddles are the daily engine for alignment, planning, and total participation Why foremen must lead through others teaching, mentoring, coaching, correcting, and guiding all day Are you hoping people "figure it out," or are you willing to orient, repeat, and coach until the standard becomes the 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