Management Under Construction

leadership, business, celebrate wins, high achievers, teams, communication, stress, management   How to Lead with Intention: Celebrate Wins and Build Emotional Intelligence Dee Davis welcomes leadership coach Jen Brown to discuss intentional leadership in high-pressure environments like construction. They explore two often-overlooked leadership practices: celebrating progress along the way an...

mental health, construction, suicide, drug abuse, leadership, stress, crisis, alcohol, human cost, projects, safety   Mental Health in Construction: People Before Profit Brad Wyant and Dee Davis discuss why mental health has become a critical issue in the construction industry, drawing on decades of field experience, leadership lessons, and hard statistics. They explore how stress, long hours...

work, workforce readiness, partnership, employment, construction, career, career path, school, high school, student, networking, interview, industry Epic Campus Part 2 - Workforce Readiness, Signing Day, and the Power of Networking Dee Davis continues the conversation with Marc Finer and Beth Best from Epic Campus in Littleton, Colorado, focusing on how the program prepares high school students fo...

Construction, career path, engineering, education, workforce, industry, employer, EPIC campus, jobs, jobsite   Epic Campus: Building Career Pathways, Industry Partnerships, and Workforce Readiness Dee Davis sits down with Marc Finer and Beth Best from Epic Campus in Colorado to talk about how the school blends education and industry to help students explore real career pathways. The conversat...

employer, employee, leave, coverage, parental leave, Human resources, mothers, fathers, parents, business, engineering, construction, continuity, retention, teams, people   Mother Cover: Why Leave Coverage Matters for Working Parents and Teams This episode of Management Under Construction features Beth Wanner, founder of Mother Cover, a specialized agency built to cover interim leave for prof...

parental leave, family leave, employer, medical leave, leave coverage, benefits, temporary coverage, burnout, construction, engineering, manager, return to work   Mother Cover: Why Leave Coverage Protects Careers, Teams, and Culture Dee Davis speaks with Beth Wanner, founder of Mother Cover, about a problem many workplaces still handle poorly: who covers a critical role when someone goes on l...

Construction, quality, program, QC, QA, training, inspection   Why Construction Quality Matters Dee Davis explains why construction quality needs its own program, its own reporting structure, and its own authority in the field. This episode breaks down the difference between quality control and quality assurance, and why a written plan only works if people are trained on it and actually use i...

 construction, mechanical, equipment, warranty, service, maintenance, ventilation, temperature, humidity, environmental control Putting Mechanical Equipment into Service During Construction Explore critical considerations for using permanent equipment during construction, including warranty management, maintenance responsibilities, and protective measures to ensure system longevity and qualit...

 humidity, temperature, construction, buildings, finishes, design, hvac, flooring, cabinets, adhesives, curing Discover how temperature and humidity affect construction projects, from material application to preventing indoor rain and mold. Essential insights for contractors, builders, and environmental managers aiming for quality and compliance.   Main Topics:   The basics of humid...

Construction, submittals, engineering, project manager, project engineer, fast approval, contractor, save time   How to Get Your Construction Submittals Approved Faster: Tips from Dee Davis In this episode, Dee Davis shares expert insights on streamlining the submittal process in construction projects to avoid delays, rejections, and bottlenecks. Whether you're a contractor, designer, or proj...

Happiness, finding your why, passion, motivation, paycheck, work, job, people, purpose, building, construction, engineering Finding Your Why: The Key to Purpose and Happiness at Work Discover how understanding your why can transform your approach to work, infuse you with passion, and lead to a more fulfilling career in construction, engineering, or any industry. Dee Davis shares personal insights...

            trust, integrity, truth, commitment Keeping Your Commitments: Trust as the Foundation of Success   In this episode, Dee Davis explores the critical importance of honoring commitments—whether at work or in personal life—and how it builds trust, fosters reliability, and enhances relationships. Whether it's a construction project, a personal goal, or eve...

Construction, attitude, positive, stress reduction, choice, project, leadership, success, big projects   Leveraging Attitude for Success in Challenging Projects   In this episode: Dee Davis shares how adopting the right attitude can transform difficult days into opportunities for growth, especially in long-term construction projects. Drawing inspiration from Les Brown, he emphasizes that...

Indoor air quality, textiles, VOC, organic, chemicals, buildings, fabrics, health, building design, hormones, men's health, new construction, remodel, off gassing, ASHRAE  The Hidden Dangers of Indoor Textiles and How to Create Healthier Environments This episode tackles the often-overlooked impacts of everyday textiles and indoor air quality and materials on our health, emphasizing practical...

performance review, personnel, training, evaluation, management, supervisor   Summary In this episode of Management Under Construction , Dee Davis breaks down how to give effective performance reviews—highlighting common pitfalls, best practices, and innovative approaches like 360 reviews. If you’re looking to move beyond generic evaluations and truly support your team’s growth, this provides...

Manpower, construction, leadership, labor, staffing, projects, changes, communication, productivity, profit, trust, commute  Managing Manpower Changes in Construction Projects: Strategies to Minimize Disruption   In this episode of Management Under Construction , Dee Davis explores the often-overlooked impact of manpower shifts on construction projects and offers practical insights to ke...

Construction; owner furnished equipment; purchasing; equipment; buyout; contractor; procurement; buying power; purchase order; project; general contractor; cost; schedule   In this episode, Dee Davis dives into the complexities and pitfalls of owner furnished equipment (OFE) in construction projects. Understanding these risks can save owners and contractors time, money, and prevent project de...

The Hidden Costs of Design Decisions That Impact Building Maintenance   In this episode, Dee Davis dives into the often-overlooked consequences of design choices in building operations. From fixture inefficiencies to coating mismatches, understanding these long-term impacts can save facility managers and designers significant time and money.   Key Insights: Faulty fixtures like water, so...

When joining a project midway through its lifecycle, the challenge isn't just understanding what's already been done—it's integrating seamlessly into established processes, relationships, and attitudes. Dee Davis shares practical insights for new team members, especially those stepping into ongoing projects, to accelerate their learning curve and add value quickly. Key topics: The common challenge...

Unlocking the Power of LinkedIn and Your Brand Voice In this episode, Brian Traichel shares expert insights on how to strategically leverage LinkedIn for consistent networking, branding, and sales growth. Discover practical tips to elevate your profile, build genuine relationships, and harness AI tools for authentic brand communication. Key Topics Why managing your LinkedIn profile should be your...

Construction labor crisis, Workforce development, Mentorship programs, Skill development, Leadership training, Employee growth, Industry challenges, Professional coaching, Training investment, Organizational change Navigating the Construction Labor Crisis: Strategies for Success In this episode, Dee Davis discusses the urgent labor shortage crisis in th...

Women in Construction, Industry Leadership, Career Development, Construction Industry, Women Empowerment, Networking, Confidence Building, Career Transition, Electrician, Ongoing Education   This episode features Irene Walsh Garcia, a seasoned construction professional with 27 years of experience, sharing her inspiring story of breaking into the construction field, overcoming fears, and empow...

Legionella, Legionnaires' disease, water system safety, building design, water maintenance, cooling towers, water treatment, health risks, building operations, outbreak prevention This episode explores the critical issue of Legionella bacteria in building water systems, its history, transmission, and how design, operation, and maintenance can mitigate risks. Experts discuss recent outbreaks, best...

Employee Investment, Business Growth, Training and Mentorship, Employee Development, ROI on Training, Workforce Productivity, Skills Gap, Employee Turnover, Business Strategy, Management Skills, Communication Improvement; Leadership Development, On-the-Job Training, Employee Retention, Construction and Engineering   Rethinking People...

electric vehicles, sustainability, cars, infrastructure, electric, adoption, charging, technology, carbon free, safety, electrical grid, vehicle The Evolution and Future of Electric Vehicles: Insights You Need to Know In this episode, Dee Davis and Brad Wyant explore the complex landscape of electric vehicles (EVs), covering their history, current challenges, technological advancements, and the en...