Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder

This episode of Hoots on The Ground, Lean Builder Nation gets an introduction to the man behind the stories on LinkedIn, Mr. Matt Ohley ! (Note: Not OH-LAY!, Oh-lee!) Matt talks about the challenges he faced growing up in the legal system! He talks a lot about living in the present time, not in the past and not in the future, but in the present. He goes through how he discovered the importance of...

This is a must-watch episode of "Hoots on the Ground" with No Bullshido as we highlight ' The Manny Hoyo! ' Manny is a Senior Superintendent with Skanska who works in the Boston area and shares how he spreads his gifts and talents to the world. Manny talks about how his upbringing has helped him become a better superintendent in the field. He also talks about being a senior superintendent with anx...

In this episode of The Lean Builder's Hoots on the Ground podcast, we get to know James Glass with Turner Construction out of the Dallas, TX office. James started in the industry as a laborer, and he has learned much from his time supporting The Boy Scouts of America. He is still involved to this day without having children or grandchildren involved. His 40+ year career path in the construction in...

This is a can't miss episode of The Lean Builder's Hoots on the Ground podcast! During this episode, Julie Dolan, Brian Winningham, and Adam Hoots summarize their findings and learnings from the previous Construction Suicide Prevention episodes (check out Episodes 65-67 on our Podcasts page to give them a listen) . The team uses a liberating structure known as "WHAT? SO WHAT? NOW WHAT?" They run t...

In this episode of The Lean Builder's Hoots on the Ground Podcast, host Adam Hoots introduces The Lean Builder nation to everyone's friend, Scott Friend! A father of three girls (and we get to meet one!!) and husband of a wise gal! A Sea Bee (Construction Battalion) Veteran who now serves the construction industry in several ways. Scott dives in to help The Lean Builder Nation understand what it's...

In this episode of The Lean Builder's "Hoots on the Ground" podcast host Adam Hoots introduces The Lean Builder nation to Ms. Heather Ormonde. Heather talks about her beliefs in Lean running so deep that she had two babies in one pregnancy!! Heather has been practicing Lean for over 10 years and has made every LCI Congress since 2014 and has served as the Oklahoma CoP Leader for LCI since 2015 (th...

In this episode of The Lean Builder's "Hoots on the Ground" podcast, host Adam Hoots introduces a group of guests who share their experiences and insights on Lean construction. Joining Brian Winningham and Julie Dolan this week are Manny Hoyo, a senior superintendent with Skanska USA, and Sam Sinclair, a field superintendent with E.L. Pruitt. As a fun icebreaker, Adam asks each guest to introduce...

In this episode, Brian Winningham shares a poem that he wrote about life in the construction industry titled Temporary Fence Panels . In the poem, Brian captures perfectly what it's like to work on a construction project site. Before you know it, the day is gone, and you haven't even started your own personal work. Staying until late in the night, and then you realize a problem on the job site tha...

In this episode, Adam Hoots, Julie Dolan, and Brian Winningham discuss the taboo topic of mental health within the construction industry. This episode is the kickoff to several upcoming episodes where real field leaders lean in to share their real experiences on real topics! You will not want to miss the next few episodes. Hoots, Julie, and "Ranger Winnie" all get a little vulnerable as each of th...

In this captivating podcast episode Jeff Fleetham , a seasoned professional in the construction industry, delves deep into the profound meaning of a career, reframing it as a holistic life journey rather than a mere job description. He introduces the compelling notion that one's career extends beyond the workplace, encompassing personal growth, relationships, and aspirations. Jeff's personal anecd...

In this enlightening podcast episode, Adam Hoots engages in a captivating conversation with Sam Dixon, project executive with Omega Construction. Sam's journey through the world of construction is not just about erecting buildings, it's about embodying unwavering integrity and living by the values instilled in him from a young age. Drawing inspiration from his father's teachings, Sam emphasizes th...

In this episode titled, "Time Management is Bullshido," Adam Hoots, takes listeners on a journey to enhance their time management skills and become more efficient in their daily lives. He begins by expressing gratitude for a positive review from Rafa Franca of his book, The Old Dog Lean Thesaurus , and invites further feedback for future improvements. Adam emphasizes the importance of personal cla...

In this episode, we have the privilege of hearing from Bruce Gemmell, a seasoned superintendent with a wealth of knowledge and a passion for his craft. Bruce takes us on a journey through his career, from humble beginnings as a layout foreman to becoming a respected leader in the construction industry. Through Bruce's engaging storytelling, we gain valuable insights into the principles of lean Con...

In this inspiring episode, we tackle the pervasive issue of self-doubt and explore effective strategies to overcome it. Hoots opens up about his personal journey, sharing how his network has played a pivotal role in validating their path and fostering self-belief. Recognizing the power of surrounding oneself with the right people, Hoots emphasizes the importance of finding a supportive network tha...

In this episode "A Journey of Growth and Collaboration in Construction," host Adam Hoots interviews Nick Clemens with O'Shea Builders and Sam Sinclair with E.L. Pruitt Co. Mechanical Contractors. They share their experiences and insights on implementing Lean Construction practices within their companies. They begin by discussing the significance of effective communication and organization in super...

In this captivating podcast episode, we sit down with Tony Vacschaack, a seasoned professional in the field of electrical construction. Tony is currently a Senior Project Manager with Martin Electric in New York. With his wealth of experience and a career spanning five decades, Tony shares valuable insights and unforgettable stories from his journey in the industry. From a construction project he...

In this episode of "The Lean Builder | Hoots on The Ground with No Bullshido," host Adam Hoots sits down with Tim Hoh , a seasoned construction professional who has been implementing Lean Construction at CRB Builders . Tim studied microbiology in college and somehow found his way into CRB to work on a life science project. Hoh shares his journey into the construction industry and how he discovered...

Welcome to the podcast where we talk to leaders who are making a difference in their field. Today, we're joined by Adrian Russell, a construction executive who is passionate about breaking down barriers and increasing diversity in the industry. Adrian talks about his background growing up in inner-city public schools and how many black kids, including himself, dream of becoming pro athletes or ent...

In this podcast episode, Hoots and David Wolke discuss the importance of transparency in leadership. David who is an experienced leader in the electrical building industry, shares insights on how being transparent with employees can lead to a more productive and engaged team. The conversation starts with David discussing the differences between working in the construction industry and other profes...

Do you believe that there is such a thing as a perfect construction schedule? In this episode, Hoots and Jason explore what it takes to develop a perfect schedule. Jason has discovered a scheduling system that works and could be considered 'The perfect schedule'. Tune in to discover exactly what that system looks like. Through a demonstration, Jason helps the Lean Builder nation understand the pow...

In this episode, Hoots gets to know Professor of Practice at Clemson University, Mr. Alastair Boulding. Al is an HVAC Master Tradesperson who has worked his way up from HVAC helper, through apprenticeship school, to being a journeyman, into a lead position and now teaching the next generation of builders at a prestigious University! Al has a love for learning to the point where it has become a hob...

In this episode, Hoots helps the Lean Builder nation better understand the Art of Questioning. Professor Hoots got a little upset with his students this week due to their inability to ask meaningful questions and decided to dedicate an episode to discuss why questions are important and how to ask questions!  Through the art of questioning, we can better understand the people and world around us in...

Hoots and Jennifer dive into a plethora of topics starting with who Jen is, and what this term Ripples of Impact is all about. Hoots helps Jen understand how famous she is and gets to withdraw some never-heard facts about Ms. Jen. As Hoots and Jen speak twice a week, early in the mornings, he can uncover some hidden gems. All of this on a day that Jennifer was going to be recognized with her high...

In this episode, Hoots shows off his relationship with Rob VanCott, who happens to be one of the first clients that Hoots on the Ground coached back in 2021! Rob started as a maintenance worker while attending classes at the University of Hartford. He fell in love with the skills that all his peers were developing and decided to chase that dream. For the record, Rob wore his #NoBullshido shirt out...

In this episode, Hoots reviews another way to develop capabilities! Through radical candor feedback, teams can deliver feedback that is honest, kind, clear, and concise. Radical Candor feedback comes from a place of caring personally about a human being and challenging that human being directly. In this episode, Hoots reviews one of his favorite books called Radical Candor: How to be a kick ass bo...