Elevate Construction

In this podcast we cover: An answer to a listener about meetings. What humans do when they get behind. What we can do to stay stable and get ahead. In this episode I share what typically happens when we feel like we are getting behind and why our natural instincts often cause more harm than good. I explain how rushing, panicking, and adding pressure can create chaos, while slowing down, planning carefully, and focusing on safety, quality, and alignment actually brings projects back on track. I also highlight the importance of strong meeting facilitation, the progress we are making on the new Takt Steering and Control book, and how these lessons apply not only to construction but also to personal life. This episode is a reminder that leadership under pressure means slowing down to go faster in the long run. 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 podcast we cover: Short impactful thoughts from teaming to hiring a consultant. In this episode I share the lessons that have shaped how I view construction projects and leadership. I talk about why having one integrated timeline matters more than maintaining multiple disconnected schedules. I explain how weekly work plans can either become empty paperwork or powerful tools depending on how they are designed. I discuss the difference between foremen and superintendents and why superintendents must focus on planning, teamwork, and process leadership. I reflect on the importance of teamwork, how hoarding information harms the project, and why success only comes when the project team is united. I also dive into the value of data and why it must lead to real action instead of just reports on a wall. Finally, I share my belief that hiring consultants and seeking outside help is one of the fastest ways to elevate a company into the top tier. This episode is packed with insights that come directly from my experience in the field and from what I have seen transform projects. 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 podcast we cover: How pre-staging ties into JIT. How to make it work if you do. The approach you take to phase through a building twice. In this episode I respond to two thoughtful comments from listeners that highlight important lessons in construction. One listener shared his perspective on the three enablers for execution, emphasizing the role of data, tools, and physical area in making work possible. His reflection aligned closely with what I had shared in an earlier episode on patterns, reinforcing how universal these principles are. Another listener asked a detailed question about just in time deliveries in high rise construction, specifically when long pipes and large mechanical units cannot fit through the buck hoist before the curtain wall goes up. I share why preloading is sometimes necessary, how to minimize its impact, and why planning staging areas and comeback zones on logistics maps is essential. These conversations highlight how planning, teamwork, and shared learning can transform projects. 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 podcast we cover: Why we get to do hard things. How we expect things from Trades we don't do ourselves. What to do instead. In this episode I share a powerful mindset shift about excuses in construction. Too often I hear people say something is "too hard" as a reason to avoid learning, adapting, or improving. But every day we ask our trade partners to do difficult and complex things on the jobsite, and they deliver. Leadership in construction is no different. We must stop using "hard" as an excuse and start taking responsibility for growth, learning, and leading. Along the way I also share feedback from a superintendent who has been using my book Elevating Construction Superintendents to mentor younger leaders and strengthen his teams. This is a reminder that doing hard things is not optional, it is our job. 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

Millennials & Gen Z Are we facing a "work ethic crisis" in today's younger generations or is that just another recycled excuse? In this raw and unfiltered episode, we cut through the noise and dive into what really matters, entitlement, job hopping, technology dependence, short attention spans, and the danger of chasing comfort before putting in the grind. You'll hear: ✅ The real truth about whether younger generations are less willing to work. ✅ Why entitlement and unrealistic expectations sabotage careers before they start. ✅ Practical advice for building resilience, focus, and skills that actually last. ✅ A hard-hitting reminder that value is earned, not handed out. This isn't about shaming it's about helping the next generation step into their full potential, especially in industries like construction where grit, loyalty, and execution matter most. 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

Why Projects Fail Without Buffers (And What Mine craft Taught Me About Flow) In this episode, I share a breakthrough analogy (yes, it comes from playing Mine craft with my kids!) that finally makes the power of buffers crystal clear. Whether in project schedules, takt wagons, or your daily workflow buffers are the hidden key to preventing chaos, absorbing variation, and keeping everything moving smoothly. 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

Turning Construction Chaos Into Clarity What if every worker on your jobsite could instantly see the right information the moment they stepped off the hoist? That's exactly what today's episode is about. I'm joined by Jeff Laporte of Robins & Morton, who shares how his team is transforming communication on the Boca Regional Hospital project through visual environments and floor information boards. We dig into: ✅ Why visual boards are more than "just plywood with markers" ✅ How to design boards that actually get used in the field (not ignored) ✅ The flow of information from conference room planning to boots on the ground ✅ How simple visuals create alignment, reduce chaos, and empower every trade partner 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

Are You Wasting Time With Outdated Pull Planning? Too many construction teams are stuck transferring sticky notes into Excel, duplicating work, and misaligning schedules with reality. In this episode, I respond directly to a listener's question about how Last Planner® is being used in the field vs. how it should be used. We dig into: ✅ Why sticky notes and physical boards aren't a "Lean requirement" ✅ How to align master schedules, pull plans, and weekly work plans without wasting trade partner time ✅ Why vertical alignment (from macro plans to daily handoffs) is the real secret to flow ✅ Tech tools and smarter processes that eliminate duplication and keep teams focused 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 Game Changer for Complex Projects Ever had a project where every zone feels completely different complex layouts, endless variations, and buffers constantly getting eaten up? In this episode, Jason Schroeder introduces a breakthrough idea: Trade-Specific (or "Diagonal") Pull Plans. Instead of running sequences left to right across trades, Jason explains how to trace the flow of one trade across every zone, uncover hidden bottlenecks, and smooth out the variations that sabotage production. 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

Are you building processes from scratch or reinventing the wheel? In this episode, Jason Schroeder sits down with Superintendent Jesse Powell to dive into one of the biggest challenges in construction today "developing standards, forms, and processes that actually work". Jesse brings 18 years of experience in the field, moving from carpenter to superintendent on $200M projects, and now helping his company take bold steps in their lean journey. Together, we unpack: ✅ How to start building a practical checklist of processes without overcomplicating things. ✅ The critical role of collaboration across teams and regions. ✅ Why lean is more than buzzwords and how respect for people shows up in the real world. ✅ A simple framework for building reliable systems that improve projects everywhere. 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