

Elevate Construction
Jason Schroeder
Elevating construction with interviews, training, and techniques that will make the build environment better for workers, our customers, companies, and the industry as a whole.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 30, 2024 • 28min
Ep.1133 - We Are All Needed, Feat. Jason Sturgeon
Building Better Leaders, Saving Lives, and Changing Construction Culture In this episode, Jason Schroeder sits down with Jason Sturgeon, founder of Arcade Way finding, to unpack his 30 year journey through the trades and the mission behind his groundbreaking programs for foremen and project managers. Together, they dive into: · Why fear vs love is at the core of every leadership decision. · How Arcade Way finding's training has literally saved marriages and kept crews together. · The Build the Circle initiative a movement giving overlooked workers (women, minorities, ESL speakers, LGBTQ+) a fair shot at leadership. · The brutal truth about the "silver tsunami" hitting construction and why the next generation of leaders must look different than the last. · A practical challenge: next time someone's yelling on your jobsite, stop and ask—is this coming from fear or love? 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

Jul 25, 2024 • 36min
Ep.1132 - Lean Principles from the Rules of Flow, Feat. Dr. Efrat Goldratt-Ashlag
From Multitasking Myths to Flow Based Success in Construction Why do so many projects stall, burn out crews, and miss deadlines despite everyone "working hard"? The answer might shock you: multitasking and too many open work fronts. In this episode, Jason Schroeder sits down with Dr. Efrat Goldratt-Aschlag, co-author of Goldratt's Rules of Flow and daughter of Dr. Eliyahu Goldratt (author of The Goal), to unpack the principles that are transforming projects worldwide. Together, they dive into: · Why multitasking is the #1 time killer in projects and what to do instead. · The Full Kit principle, how to stop crews from starting unready work and finally finish faster. · The power of gates to ensure work is truly ready before it moves forward. · Real-world success stories from U.S. high-rises to Japan's disaster recovery proving these methods deliver. · The keys to training and growth that keep both people and organizations thriving. If you've ever been told to "push harder" when a project is late, this episode will flip that thinking on its head. Speed doesn't come from panic it comes from preparation, focus, and flow. 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

Jul 22, 2024 • 11min
Ep.1131 - More Great Topics
Stop Undervaluing Work & Respect the Small Projects In this episode, Jason Schroeder flips common construction myths on their head, smaller doesn't mean simpler, and slashing prices isn't a path to success. Learn why rushing to cut costs or undervaluing service providers hurts your team, your projects, and your relationships. Jason dives deep into how to negotiate fairly, effectively, and ethically, why respecting every project big or small is critical, and how real value comes from clarity, data, and integrity. If you're a construction leader, project manager, or service provider, this episode is packed with insights that will change the way you think about pricing, project scope, and professional respect. Stop playing games with your team and start elevating every project. Tune in and rethink what "value" really means in construction. 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

Jul 19, 2024 • 15min
Ep.1130 - Answers to Questions
In this podcast we cover: Why waste and variation are detrimental. What we can learn from old school Supers. What advice would I give myself when I was 28? What if the biggest lessons in construction leadership aren't about schedules or systems—but about people? In this episode, I answer three powerful listener questions that go straight to the heart of what makes a great superintendent. We'll explore how to get ahead of waste and variation in preconstruction, what old-school supers did right (and what we must leave behind), and the number one piece of advice I'd give my 28-year-old self. Spoiler: it's not about pushing harder or working longer hours. This conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, planning, and respect on the jobsite. Whether you're a young super finding your footing or a seasoned builder rethinking your approach, you'll walk away with perspective-shifting insights. It's not just about building projects—it's about building 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

Jul 19, 2024 • 14min
Ep.1129 - Getting Past Ego
In this podcast we cover: Why it's so hard to fix construction. Why the ego gets in the way. This episode dives deep into one of the most powerful yet invisible forces holding construction back, the ego. Too many leaders cling to pride, resist change, and refuse to ask for help, even when projects are sinking. Drawing on insights from Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now, I break down the eight ways ego sabotages success and how to recognize them in ourselves and others. You will hear how ego impacts sales, marketing, and leadership in construction, and why confronting it head-on is the key to unlocking collaboration, trust, and real transformation. If you have ever wondered why smart people make stubborn choices, this episode will change how you see leadership forever. 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

Jul 19, 2024 • 18min
Ep.1128 - Short, But Good Thoughts
In this podcast we cover: The rise of builders. Sharing information with Trades. The hell of CPM. Are we losing the builders in construction? In this episode, I tackle three pressing issues shaping our industry today. First, I break down why companies must restore balance by empowering superintendents, foremen, and field engineers instead of drowning in administration. Then I expose the destructive practice of hiding schedules from trade partners and why trust and transparency always win. Finally, I dive into the nightmare of CPM scheduling and explain why takt planning is the future of project delivery. If you've ever felt the frustration of excessive paperwork, broken trust, or overwhelming scheduling demands, this episode will hit home. It's time to rise with the builders and reclaim the future of construction. 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

Jul 17, 2024 • 39min
Ep.1127 – Leading the Orchestra, Feat. Jared Davis
In this podcast we cover: The right format for weekly work plans. How to approach using them. Advice for your lean journey. Curious how weekly work plans really work on a live job? In this episode I sit down with Jared Davis to unpack takt planning, pull planning, and making look aheads actually useful. We answer the trade lane question: separate them or show them together. You will learn why the weekly work plan is a pre-kit and how to run five minute trade meetings that surface real roadblocks. We talk tools that help visibility and how to make your plan a real time production instrument. If you want less firefighting and more flow, this episode will give you practical moves you can use tomorrow. Tune in and get your team playing the same sheet music. 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

Jul 17, 2024 • 40min
Ep.1126 - Batch, Balance, & Pull, Feat. Jim Johnston
In this podcast we cover: What pull means. How we can approach real lean construction. Advice on your lean journey. Are we holding construction back by clinging to the wrong systems? In this blog, I dig into three game-changing truths about our industry: why project managers have overtaken builders, why hiding schedules from trade partners destroys trust, and why CPM is a nightmare we must leave behind. I share why the future belongs to builders, why collaboration matters more than control, and why Takt offers the real path forward. If you want to cut through the noise, escape the trap of administration, and finally lead projects with clarity and confidence, this blog is for 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

Jul 17, 2024 • 10min
Ep.1125 - All Instructions Are Written and Verbal
In this podcast we cover: Why orders must be written and verbal. How changes to the plan should be handled. Why Supers keep the plan in their heads. What the consequences are. Too many superintendents are sabotaging their own projects without even realizing it. In this blog, I share a hard truth: verbal instructions alone destroy schedules, disconnect teams, and neutralize the systems that keep projects on track. I break down why superintendents who fail to lead visually are a liability, how ego and significance get in the way, and what it really takes to protect the flow of work. If you want your projects to thrive, you must embrace written and visual communication as the standard. This is a must-read for every construction leader who wants to build trust, clarity, and consistency on the jobsite. 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

Jul 17, 2024 • 9min
Ep.1124 - What to Expect from the Meeting System
In this podcast we cover: Why you should never ask trades to send you their WWP. What you should expect from the meeting system. Are your construction meetings driving results or just wasting time? In this blog, I uncover one of the most damaging habits in Last Planner implementation: asking trade partners to submit separate weekly work plans. This practice undermines flow, wastes valuable time, and confuses the team. I share how the right approach—anchored in pull planning, tact, and clear meeting outcomes—creates alignment, trust, and reliability across the project. From pull plans to percent plan complete, you'll learn what each meeting should deliver and why flow is the non-negotiable core of success. If you want meetings that truly elevate your projects, this is the clarity you need. 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


