Elevate Construction

In this podcast we cover: How human beings will reflect how they're treated. How we can approach people from a sincere win-win perspective. In this episode I share a powerful concept I call "Humans Are Mirrors." The way we treat others will always be reflected back to us, whether in jobsite culture, contracts, or day-to-day interactions. I talk about how conditions like messy bathrooms, poor facil...

In this podcast we cover: The conditions for respecting people. The right of understanding.  The right of involvement. The right of input. The right of success. The right of humanity. In this episode I share what I believe it really means to respect people in construction. Drawing from the work of Dave Risardo, I walk through five essential rights that every worker deserves: understanding, involve...

In this podcast we cover: A recent post that was posted about flow and construction. Make a plea for people to look at it differently. Extend an invitation to protect people first. In this episode, I open up about a recent post on flow in construction that really struck a nerve with me. Too often, definitions of flow focus on zones or processes and completely ignore the human side of building. Fro...

In this podcast we cover: What is the river of waste? Why you must reduce inventory? In this episode, I sit down with my mentor, Hal Makeover, to unpack the river of waste and its role in lean construction. Together we explore why limiting work in progress reveals hidden problems, how the sequence of overburden, variation, and waste shapes sustainable improvement, and why improving processes we sh...

In this podcast we cover: Why our industry has leaned towards contracting and litigation instead of continuous improvement.  Challenge everybody on the podcast to think deeply about this topic of contracts litigation and administration. In this episode, I share my frustrations with the way our industry relies on contracts and litigation instead of solving real problems. I talk about trade partners...

In this podcast we cover: Techniques to help your trade bottlenecks and to help your zone bottlenecks. Specific step-by-step instructions on how to do so. In this episode, I explore practical strategies for fixing both trade and zone bottlenecks in construction. I talk about why crew composition, role protection, and hands-on training matter when dealing with trade bottlenecks. I also share how re...

In this podcast we cover: Desire and capability are very different things. When you don't have the capability or the capacity for that matter, passing on defective work ends up being disrespectful actually so does allowing your crew to do work without the capability or capacity. In this episode, I reflect on the crucial difference between desire and capability in construction. I share why sending...

In this podcast we cover: Why it's important to have radios for our own people, including the trade partners. Why it's difficult to communicate without. If you do not have radios, why is it important to follow the direction of the team or speak up and to never dissent. In this episode, I share why radios are such an important part of construction culture. I talk about how they make teams more prof...

In this podcast we cover: Why it's okay to let somebody get into their normal rhythm. What we want to do when it comes to engineering out errors around human beings who are good. In this episode, I share an important lesson about understanding people's natural set points and rhythms. Too often, we assume that if we explain something once, demonstrate it, and guide someone through it, they will aut...

In this podcast we cover: How to use different Takt Times. Why we do not use the weekends as the indicator. In this episode, I respond to a thoughtful question about Takt planning and whether moving away from a five-day rhythm is like driving the same speed everywhere. I explain why Takt planning is about flexibility, not rigidity, and how adjusting to shorter Takt times creates better flow. I als...

In this podcast we cover: What the time cost problem is. The way to plan. Concerns with CPM. In this episode, I share why constraining time is the key to becoming truly lean. I explore how placing healthy limits on our schedules creates pressure that drives innovation instead of burnout. I talk about the importance of respecting people, planning projects with just enough time, and then using lean...

In this podcast we cover: The reaction that owners had to contractors to try and get a fair deal. The current method that they're using to try and hold contractors accountable. What they actually should be doing. In this episode, I share why owners' attempts to control contractors through contracts, CPM, and penalties are misguided and damaging. Instead of fostering accountability, these methods c...

In this podcast we cover: How constraining your time will literally force you to be lean.  Why necessity is the mother of invention. In this episode, I share why you will never truly be lean until you constrain your time. Too often in construction, we rely on extra hours as a safety net, but that only hides waste and prevents innovation. By setting clear boundaries, we force ourselves to prioritiz...

In this podcast we cover: How to look at the eight wastes. Why downtime with workers or workers being idle is not the focus that we should have. In this episode, I explore why downtime is not the enemy in construction. Too often, leaders focus on keeping every worker busy instead of maintaining flow, which leads to waste, overproduction, and inefficiency. I share examples from manufacturing and co...

In this podcast we cover: What the difference is between a bureaucratic administrative process and standard habits with quality of the source. In this episode, I explore the critical difference between standard habits and bureaucracy in construction. Too often, leaders add layers of paperwork, forms, and audits that only create more waste. I share why installation work packages and pre-constructio...

In this podcast we cover: What the definition of an expert is.  Why understanding the impact and caring about people from a fundamental level are requirements for expertise.  In this episode of the Elevate Construction Podcast, I dive into what it really means to be an expert. Drawing from conversations with my team and lessons from the book Rules of Flow, I share why following processes, gaining...

In this podcast we cover: Why placing bottlenecks in the system might not be a bad thing. Why auto-regulating bottlenecks in a system can align work in progress. How to intentionally use them. In this episode of the Elevate Construction Podcast, I dive into why bottlenecks aren't always the problem we think they are. I share insights from my time at LCI Congress and lessons from Takt planning that...

In this podcast we cover: What is the difference between intentional and accidental failing. What does it mean to intentionally fail. Why is it okay to accidentally fail. In this episode, I dive into the difference between accidental and intentional failure, a concept that has transformed the way I think about mistakes in construction and leadership. I share why it is absolutely okay to fail accid...

In this podcast we cover: How you can really start to solve problems on your project. How that works backwards from skill to skill. Why these fundamental habits are important for you to ultimately become proficient at preventing problems. This episode dives deep into the phases of IDS and reveals the exact path to solving and ultimately preventing problems on your project. If you have ever felt st...

In this podcast we cover: Why it's important to be field focused. Why it's important to be foremen focused. How we can constantly really care for the people that matter most. This episode is a passionate call to action for anyone who leads, manages, or supports construction projects. The message is simple yet powerful, never go on site without caring for foremen. I share my personal journey from w...

In this podcast we cover: Why it's not reasonable to think that you can do it all on your own. Why teams must understand and leverage each other's strengths. How you can do it. Too many of us carry the heavy burden of thinking we must do it all. The truth is we are not designed to. In this episode I share a story about a teammate who felt ashamed for needing help with something outside her natural...

In this podcast we cover: Why having problems is not a problem but that our focus should be how fast we actually fix problems. How we create that culture in our organizations. This episode tackles one of the most important truths in business and construction: problems are not the problem. The real measure of success is how fast we fix them. I share how our team at LeanTakt uses red cards to surfac...

In this podcast we cover: The percentage of each of the steps.  Why planning must be your largest percentage. How you can really get this wrong and get yourself into trouble. This episode uncovers a powerful truth about PDCA. Most of your effort must go into planning. I share insights from Toyota, the military, and construction that prove why planning is not just a step but the foundation of every...

In this podcast we cover: How many different things are actually tied to a pull plan and a pull plan success. What happens if you have the wrong sequence. The impact on work. What are some things that you can do to really, really make sure that it goes well. This episode dives deep into one of the most overlooked but critical aspects of construction success: the sequence of a pull plan. I share up...

In this podcast we cover: Why we should never make a decision based on solely how somebody should feel. Why we should always make decisions based on what is right. Why sometimes taking the indirect approach is okay. What happens when leaders make decisions just to keep people happy? The result is stalled progress, broken trust, and manipulation by those who know they can exploit emotions. In this...