Expectations are the life blood of all construction projects.  Safety, Quality, Time, and Cost all have expectations attached to them.  Long term relationships are built on meeting expectations which, in turn, forms trust.    But what happens when something goes wrong and you don’t meet the expectations?  Whether you are the client or the contractor, one... Continue Reading →

 When problems occur, and you are in the middle of a disagreement it is easy to let ego allow you to defend a bad position to win.    In these situations, take a step back and accept your faults related to the issue.  Being the first to define what you are responsible for and why you... Continue Reading →

As a builder, you are driven to move the project forward. Solve the problem, check it off the list, and move on to the next one.  But, the notion that “It’s better to do something than nothing at all” depends on knowing how much to do and when to do it.  Water will seek to balance itself over time, but... Continue Reading →

A problem is a “thing” that didn’t turn out as planned.  Since plans are created by people, ego usually creeps into the problem-solving process.  Finding fault & cause are too often the priority, even though each have negligible impact on the solution.  To solve the problem, leave the egos at the door and focus on the best solution for the project.  Communication and... Continue Reading →

When you approach a situation on a project, your initial view of that situation is seen through the eyes of your past experiences. Whether you failed or succeeded, trusted or got burned, your initial perception of the situation will align with your experience. Had no problems? Perception is there will be no problems. Got Burned? Perception... Continue Reading →

Construction is hard, fast paced, and demanding.  As a leader in construction you are constantly bombarded with the need to make a call now through meetings, calls, emails and texts.  It can be overwhelming which can lead to making a snap decision or saying something that you will regret. Take a breath… no really, take a breath.  It is... Continue Reading →

Misunderstandings can derail a project faster than anything else.  Like the whisper game we played in elementary school, perception of what you hear from others and then transmit down the line can be misunderstood.  With Safety, Quality, Time and Cost on the line every day, it is critical you to deliver your message and listen... Continue Reading →

In construction, it is important to have daily communication on status, potential issues, current problems, and upcoming activities.  But, how you communicate, and how your team hears & reacts to what you communicate is critical.  Both the delivery and receipt of information is based on your team’s past experience which drives perception.  Most conflicts and mistrust arise due to a simple misunderstanding of... Continue Reading →

Your choice of what to pursue in construction is a driver of success.  But more importantly what you choose NOT to pursue will have a greater impact on success in the long run. Whether it is an argument, a new job, a project or a new market, it is always better to know when to stay away than when to... Continue Reading →

When you look back at your career, time eases your perspective of the highest highs and the lowest lows. From getting the promotion to a project spiraling out of control, in the moment, it is the best thing ever or the worst thing imaginable. As a leader, large swings in emotion dramatically affect you and your project. In addition to taxing... Continue Reading →