Elevate Construction

Jason reveals one of the four moments that changed his life: learning about giving first. He shares the Silent Squares game where teams can only solve the puzzle when they give first, not take first. Then he unpacks The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann, the book that shifted his mindset from climbing the ladder (take take take) to giving first, which skyrocketed his career in three years. You'll learn the five laws of stratospheric success that work in marriage, business, and life. What you'll learn in this episode: Silent Squares game: Teams struggle until they switch from take first to give first, then solve the puzzle instantly Law of Value: Your real worth is how much more value you give than you get paid Law of Compensation: Your income is decided by number of people you serve and how well you serve them Law of Influence: Focus 100% on helping others, build an army of personal ambassadors Law of Authenticity: The biggest gift you offer is yourself, be genuine not pretending Law of Receptivity: To give effectively you must be open to receive, they're two sides of same coin When you focus on giving value as a way of life, the money will naturally follow, and you live after the manner of happiness. 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

Jason starts with a somber note, his friend just passed from COVID-19, reminding us life is fragile. Then he dives into Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller, revealing how he used this framework to win a major proposal by making the customer the hero instead of talking about his company. You'll learn the seven-part story structure that wins work, why people buy solutions to internal problems not external ones, and why you're losing customers if you're not clarifying your message through story. What you'll learn in this episode: The book in one sentence: Make your customer the hero, not your brand Why customers buy solutions to internal problems, not external problems The guide principle: Customers trust someone with a clear plan People avoid loss more than they seek gain, use this ethically How Jason restructured proposals using story: hero wants something, villain blocks them, guide helps them win The day we stop losing sleep over our business success and start losing sleep over our customers' success is the day our business starts growing again. 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

Jason and Katie get deeply personal about the month Jason was suspended without pay for not reporting an inappropriate comment to a female colleague. Katie shares what it was like driving home for four days in a company rental after he was suspended, watching him spiral in guilt and shame. This vulnerable conversation reveals why we all have unconscious biases we don't recognize, how diversity makes teams statistically better, and why it doesn't cost us anything to support women and protected classes, but it will cost us everything if we don't. What you'll learn in this episode: The suspension story: Jason didn't report inappropriate comments, got suspended for a month, hated the director for years until realizing it changed his life Hospital study proves diversity wins: Mixed gender, race, ethnicity teams statistically outperform homogeneous teams every time How to handle harassment: Contact HR, legal, supervisors immediately, don't try to smooth things over or sweep under rug Fear drives bias: Scarcity mindset makes us fear loss, abundance mindset recognizes there's plenty of opportunity for everyone It doesn't cost anything: Supporting protected classes costs nothing but makes teams better, refusing to costs everything When we see protected classes winning and women being promoted, we should celebrate, there's plenty of room for all of us. 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

Jason gets brutally honest about two career moments that changed his safety mindset forever. First, a safety manager threatened to fire him if he didn't take inspections seriously. Second, he was suspended for a month without pay for not reporting an inappropriate comment to a female colleague. These stories reveal why your safety set point isn't high enough yet, and why developing a safety-everywhere mentality now will save you from the butt chewing later. Safety isn't just physical, it's mental, emotional, and about protecting the innocent from harassment and discrimination. What you'll learn in this episode: Jason's safety wake-up call: Threatened with termination for blowing off inspections, became a safety fanatic overnight The suspension story: Month without pay for not protecting the innocent, not reporting inappropriate workplace comment Why safety is a value, not a priority: Priorities change, values remain constant The safety-everywhere mentality: At work, at home, at church, driving, protecting people from COVID, appropriate behavior The challenge: Amp up your game now, take training seriously, develop safety mindset before you become someone's nightmare Your mental set point needs to be set a lot higher for a safety-everywhere mentality, or you'll have that moment where you get your butt chewed to get your mind in the right spot. 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

Jason wraps up the Field Engineer Boot Camp series with his final thoughts on the entire four-day experience. He walks through each day from team building and fear elimination to the final concrete placement under intense time pressure, revealing how laser scans prove that high-functioning teams produce accurate work. Then he makes his boldest claim yet: the field engineering position exists for one reason only, to train future superintendents. Superintendents are leaders, organizers, and planners. If you skip the FE position, you skip the builder experience, and you'll never be as successful as you could be. What you'll learn in this episode: Day-by-day breakdown: Team building and repelling, complex engineering math with garbage drawings, traversing and layout under stress, concrete placement time crunch Why laser scan results prove team performance: High-functioning teams with good communication produce accurate footings, dysfunctional teams are off by feet The bold claim: Field engineers exist only to train future superintendents, not for layout or lift drawings Why skipping FE is a mistake: Workers, foremen, and college grads who go straight to super miss the builder experience of detailing, reading plans, RFIs, submittals, and layout What boot camp really does: Eliminates victim mentality, neutralizes fear, creates goals for massive action, and becomes a trigger for excellence The field engineering position is the Rosetta Stone between the builders of old and what we're training builders to be today. 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

Raino brings you back to boot camp for Part 3, where field engineers are learning through stress, failure, and hands-on struggle. You'll hear raw reflections from teams who learned that no matter how right you think you are, you can still make mistakes. They discovered how much they take survey and FE roles for granted, why best practices aren't overdoing it when you see the numbers match, and how lift drawings that required printing over and over taught them that due diligence prevents massive rework. Brandon closes with a powerful speech on standardizing your day, controlling your morning with routines, and why you standardize your evening to love life, not just work. What you'll learn in this episode: Why boot camp is effective: Learning under stress, doing things with your hands, practicing in context creates faster retention than classroom theory The connectedness lesson: How lift drawings tie to building, coordinates tie to traversing, traversing ties to radio staking, everything teaches context Brandon's morning routine: Up at 3:45, gym, 10 pages of personal development, study drawings, five task to-do list before chaos hits at 7am Why best practices aren't overdoing it: Taking proper steps prevents mistakes, hitting checkpoints with right data means you proceed correctly Standardizing your evening to love life: Put "tell wife I love her five times" and "read book with kid" on your to-do list, create time for what matters When you standardize your day so it becomes monotonous and thoughtless, you become perfect at it and move on to the next thing that makes you better. 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

Dr. Steve Grennan challenged Jason with a simple question: "Show me that people are your most valuable asset." This off-script, under-five-minute message cuts straight to the heart of what we say versus what we do in construction. Jason confronts the lie that employees should be "loyal" to companies or do multi-billion-dollar corporations "favors" by ruining their families and health. We work to live, not live to work. Family is eternal. Buildings are temporary. If a company claims people are their biggest asset but doesn't prove it, they're lying. What you'll learn in this episode: Dr. Grennan's challenge: Show me through actions, training, mentoring, leader standard work, knowing families, that people truly matter Why loyalty to a company is a lie: You're loyal to family, God, and health, not to corporations making billions while you get divorce and heart attacks The eternal vs. temporary question: When you're dying, will the building be there? No. Your family will be. When to fire your company: If they marginalize people or aren't safe, you 86 them, they're not good enough to employ you What "show me" looks like: Personal development, one-on-ones, protecting families over customer demands There's no such thing as doing a multi-billion-dollar company a favor, if they say people are their asset, make them show 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

You just finished a perfect $100M project on time, under budget, safest job in Arizona, passed every audit. Your neighbor finished a year late, $3M over, a total nightmare. Who gets the next job? The neighbor. Why? Because they created more moments. Jason breaks down "The Power of Moments" by Chip and Dan Heath to show you how defining moments not flawless execution determine what customers remember and who they choose. You'll learn the four elements that create memorable experiences (elevation, pride, insight, connection) and how to strategically build peak moments throughout your projects so you stop being the unsqueaky wheel that gets ignored. What you'll learn in this episode: Why doing great work isn't enough: Customers remember moments, not details, and the team with more frequent mental moments gets selected The four elements of defining moments: Elevation (rise above routine), Pride (commemorate achievements), Insight (deliver realizations), Connection (bond people together) Real examples: Popsicle hotline at Magic Castle Hotel, trial lawyer graduation ceremony, Signing Day for college athletes, Brinker Capital work anniversaries How to apply this in construction: Creating moments when solving design issues, tracking down permits, handling big problems for owners and designers Why organizations dramatically underinvest in building peaks and instead just fill potholes Are you creating strategic moments throughout your projects, or are you the unsqueaky wheel doing perfect work while your competitor gets the next job? 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

In this bonus episode, Jason narrates Chapter 5, Part 1 of Calumet "K" and unpacks the razor-sharp difference between Bannon's relentless execution and Peterson's passive waiting. When 200,000 feet of cribbing arrives by boat and the CNSC railroad threatens to shut everything down, you'll see how Bannon uses diplomatic firmness, productive paranoia, and strategic night shifts to keep momentum while Peterson continues to hesitate. Jason also addresses the book's outdated attitudes toward women in construction and explains why supporting diversity costs us nothing but statistically increases our chance of winning. What you'll learn in this episode: Why Bannon immediately ordered lights for night shifts before leaving townproductive paranoia means anticipating problems and getting ahead instead of becoming a victim How to handle railroad representatives, inspectors, and difficult stakeholders with diplomatic firmness instead of throwing hard hats and being jerks Jason's take on women in construction: Supporting and celebrating their success costs nothing and statistically increases your team's chance of winning When to terminate non-performers: After you've provided training, support, structure, and a healthy system, protect the team by removing cancer Why early strategic moves (shifts, night work, additional crews) prevent late-project chaos where workers become unsafe and disorganized Are you making strategic moves early in the project to prevent the crash landing at the end, or are you waiting and hoping it works out? 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

Why won't superintendents go home, and what system actually gets them there? In this episode, Jason reveals the team health and balance system that works, proven by a general superintendent who said after two divorces and 30 years in construction, this was the first time anyone showed him how to actually go home on time. You'll learn why team coverage must be intentional with a visual weekly coverage schedule, how the weekly meeting agenda prioritizes PTO and coverage before anything else, why the day plan from foreman and worker huddles is the key to releasing control, and how grading contractors on site with A and F players creates accountability. This is about ending the babysitting, getting operational control, and creating capacity for training. What you'll learn in this episode: The weekly coverage schedule: draw your hours Monday through Friday so the team knows who's covering orientation, safety walks, gate closing, and natural disasters Why does the weekly meeting agenda start with a lightning round, then PTO coverage, Saturday coverage, and weekly coverage reminders The day plan components: shout-outs, safety focus, permits, deliveries, training topics, key activities, and weather all visual Supporting systems for operational control: remarkable bathrooms, decent lunchroom, perfect cleanliness, zero tolerance safety, scheduled deliveries, just-in-time staging How to grade contractors weekly and post A players, F players, and the Circle of Trust on the conference room wall Training is good. Babysitting is bad and should be stopped at almost any cost. Get this system implemented first, then your team will have time to do training. 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

What are you withholding from your clients, and how much is it costing you? In this episode, Jason unpacks Patrick Lencioni's Getting Naked, a model for naked service that overcomes three fears: losing the business, being embarrassed, and feeling inferior. You'll hear the story of an arrogant curtain wall contractor who lost a project the moment the PM opened his laptop and started checking emails, learn why asking dumb questions and celebrating mistakes builds trust faster than perfection, and discover why giving away the business and doing the dirty work wins more work than any PowerPoint presentation. This is about transparency, humility, and human-to-human connection, not manipulation. What you'll learn in this episode: The three fears that prevent naked service: fear of losing the business, fear of being embarrassed, and fear of feeling inferior How to overcome fear of losing the business by entering the danger, telling the kind truth, consulting instead of selling, and giving away the business Why asking dumb questions, making dumb suggestions, and celebrating mistakes creates safe environments and builds rapport How to honor the client's work, make everything about them, do the dirty work, and take a bullet, even if it means helping with the groundbreaking The PM who opened his laptop and started answering emails the moment a contractor said, "You just need to hire us" Don't your clients deserve to work with transparent, honest, open, safe people? Use this model if you are that and if you're faking it, please don't sour it for the rest of us. 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

You know how to get into state so why aren't you doing it? In this episode, Jason breaks down the three keys to peak performance: physiology, focus, and language. You'll learn why Olympic champions and effective leaders master these elements before high-stakes moments, hear how Jason used box breathing and music to demolish a high-profile interview, and discover the boot camp breakthrough where acknowledging "I don't know what I'm doing" flipped fear into connection and problem-solving. This is about showing up ready whether you're walking into a safety meeting, a hard conversation, or your front door after work because your body is the vehicle through which your mind performs. What you'll learn in this episode: The three keys to being in state: physiology (posture, exercise, movement), focus (where you look is where you go), and language (stop negative self-talk) Why dancing and music at boot camp keeps participants at peak performance for 17-hour days with 95% success rates How to dance with your fear instead of fighting it—acknowledge it, then focus on your goal, not the fear The breakthrough moment: saying "I don't know what I'm doing" increases communication from 5 to 50 questions per hour The CDAAA list technique: write down negative thoughts, then correct them with the truth until negativity disappears Motion equals emotion. Practice your morning routine, box breathing, and intentional focus on physiology, language, and where you're headed, not where you're afraid of going. 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

What if the breakthrough you need starts with yelling "I don't know what I'm doing" as loud as you can? In this episode, Jason reveals the pivotal boot camp moment when field engineers stopped clinging to certainty and significance, admitted they didn't know what they were doing, and watched their communication skyrocket from five questions an hour to fifty. You'll learn why figuring things out presupposes you don't know what's going on, how admitting uncertainty increases your chances of survival like pilots in an emergency, and why dancing with your fears instead of fighting them enables you to turn nothing into something. This is about building a team that can figure it out because when you can do that, you can do anything in construction and in life. What you'll learn in this episode: Why the process of figuring things out presupposes you don't know what you're doing, and admitting that increases communication The airplane emergency analogy: fast, short bursts of communication increase survival; silence decreases it The breakthrough exercise: yelling "I don't know what I'm doing" and how it relieved the fear of looking stupid Boot camp testimonials on dancing with fears, realizing what giving 100% really means, and rallying teams after rough starts How field engineers learn a method of learning and a mindset of figuring things out that enables them to live a remarkable life It's okay to not know what you're doing. Once you realize that, you can increase communication, ask questions, and fail forward at a faster pace. 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

Can your team solve problems together, or are you relying on sad experience instead of wisdom? In this episode, Jason reveals the exact pattern that enables teams to be as successful as possible every single time, from boot camp exercises to construction projects. You'll learn why appointing a point person, truly collaborating, and ensuring total participation moves you from leader-centric chaos to team-powered execution. Plus, hear powerful testimonials from boot camp participants and instructors about breaking out of comfort zones, failing forward, and discovering that technical expertise alone won't propel your career, it's the compilation of skills that wins. What you'll learn in this episode: The team success pattern: appoint a leader, collaborate fully, make decisions, ensure understanding, work together, then plan-do-check-act Why learning from the wisdom of the team prevents sad experiences, mistakes, trials, and stress you carry alone How to move from leader-centric systems to total participation, where everyone can see, know, and act as a group Boot camp testimonials on getting out of your comfort zone, failing forward, and learning about your blind spots Why technical skills aren't enough—it's teamwork, emotional range, and giving 100% that propel your career We can learn from wisdom or from sad experience. The strength of the team and the burden shared together is how we avoid riddled problems and distress. 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

Are you grading high enough in all areas of life to keep your head up? In this episode, Jason introduces the Wheel of Life, a powerful tool to assess whether you're balanced across seven key areas: physical body, emotions and meaning, relationships, time, work and mission, finances, and spiritual contribution. You'll hear Jason respond to listener feedback about jobs spiraling out of control and the tension between schedule and information, learn why you need at least four areas above a grade of seven to avoid a dark spot, and discover Tony Robbins' model for taking massive action. This is about protecting yourself by getting help when you need it because the tough guy facade is fake, and we all need support sometimes. What you'll learn in this episode: How to use the Wheel of Life to grade yourself in seven key areas and identify where you're struggling Why the flow of information is king, and the schedule comes first, they work together, not against each other The warning sign: if you don't have at least four areas above a seven, get coaching or clinical help immediately Tony Robbins' model for massive action: get your body in shape, find your passion, decide and commit, then take immediate intelligent action Why the tough exterior is a façade, real strength is asking for help when you need it If your wheel is jagged and you don't have wins in life, you can't sustain it. Get help. Keep your head up. You deserve it. 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

What would you do if the railroad blocked your critical lumber shipment, and litigation would take five years? In this chapter of Calumet K, Bannon refuses to let emotion drive his decisions, recruiting farmers with a grudge against the railroad to haul lumber overland while he orchestrates barges, fixes broken bridges in the night, and sets aggressive timelines that leave everyone breathless. Jason reflects on the power of urgency, logistical genius, and clearing roadblocks before they stop your workforce because the fastest path forward reduces the opportunity for things to go wrong. This is about execution through total participation, not heroics. What you'll learn in this episode: Why Bannon refuses slow legal action and builds a creative solution using farmers, wagons, and barges instead The principle of aggressive timelines: "It moves in an hour" instills urgency without compromising safety or respect How Bannon clears roadblocks, proactively fixing the bridge at night so 1,500 feet of lumber can flow smoothly Why character and integrity matter: Bannon refuses to manipulate the wheat market for personal gain despite a clear opportunity The logistical genius of checking every possible breakdown point and ensuring redundant checks for flow Bannon doesn't say "I'll do it myself"; he leverages everyone and everything available because the rapidity of advance toward victory reduces the opportunity for obstacles to stop 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

Tell me you don't judge a restaurant by the quality of their bathrooms—because on a construction project, how your bathroom goes is how your project will go. In this episode, Jason makes the bold case that remarkable bathrooms are foundational to operational excellence, walking you through multiple practical solutions from building them out of trailers to fitting them inside the building itself. You'll learn why lean culture always starts in the bathroom, how to build custom facilities for $7,000-$14,000, and why management should use the same bathrooms as the workers. This is about respect for people as a production strategy, and it starts with white epoxy paint, great lighting, and zero tolerance for dirty conditions. What you'll learn in this episode: Why the state of your bathrooms is a key indicator of morale, health, and project culture, check them first when you walk into a site Four viable bathroom solutions: build out of trailers, standalone facilities, inside the building, or upgraded event restrooms The bare minimum requirements: cleaned 3-5 times per week, handwash stations, trash cans, music, white paint, and great lighting Why you should budget bathroom quality into mockups and get creative with insulated tents, plywood partitions, and temporary fixtures The story of workers ripping clothing for toilet paper and why that proves we have disrespect in construction Lean starts in the bathroom, and if you wouldn't let someone drain your bank account without permission, don't let dirty bathrooms drain the culture and respect on your project site. 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

Would you let someone randomly access your bank account and spend your money on things you don't even use? Would you let them make you feel guilty for saying no? That's exactly what you're doing with your time, and Jason says time is more valuable than money. In this episode, Jason makes the case for why a personal organization system is the number one thing anyone in construction should implement, walking you through the five steps of mastering workflow from David Allen's Getting Things Done. If you're wasting 30-40% of your time because you don't have a system to capture, clarify, organize, reflect, and engage with your tasks, this is your wake-up call. What you'll learn in this episode: Why time is more valuable than money—you can earn and borrow money, but you can't earn or borrow time The powerful metaphor of people draining your bank account without permission, and how it mirrors what happens with your time every day The five steps of mastering workflow: capture, clarify, organize, reflect, and engage and how to implement them by Friday Why do you need as few capturing buckets as possible, and must empty them regularly to stop wasting 40% of your day The three daily habits of a builder: 30 minutes in your drawings, 30 minutes in your schedule, and 30 minutes on a reflection walk Stop letting people schedule meetings without your consent and waste your most valuable commodity. Get organized, protect your time, and start doing the work of three 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

Is operational control a dirty word, or is it exactly what your project needs to protect your people and deliver results? In this episode, Jason breaks down the false choice between command-and-control and collaboration, showing you how to build a system that uses both. You'll learn why the industry has demonized the wrong concepts, how to get scheduling information all the way to your workers, and the exact workflow that moves your project from chaos to operational excellence. This is about protecting families by protecting flowand it starts with having control of your project site. What you'll learn in this episode: Why collaborative planning and accountable execution aren't opposites—they're partners in operational control The three systems compared: Old System, Last Planner System, and Operational Control System, and where information breaks down in each How afternoon foreman huddles and morning worker huddles solve the 50% communication breakdown that kills your schedule Why your project needs six weeks of structured implementation before collaboration can truly work The Rick Rescorla story from 9/11 and what "I have to evacuate my people now" means for your responsibility as a leader The system failed them; they didn't fail the system, so build a system that gets information all the way to the workers, protects your people, and gives you operational control without apology. 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

Intimacy can feel like an awkward topic until you realize it's one of the top friction points for new couples, right alongside finances and keeping the house clean. In this episode, Jason and Katie talk candidly about what they've seen with new couples in construction, what they struggled with themselves, and why "fix what bugs you" applies at home just as much as it does on a jobsite. You'll hear practical ways to communicate needs, reduce resentment, and build a system that actually works for your relationship. The goal isn't perfection it's progress, trust, and a home life that brings you joy. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · Why new couples commonly fight about finances, intimacy, and the house and how to stop the spiral · How to "fix what bugs you" in a relationship without blame, shame, or avoidance · The difference between obligation and intentional partnership and how to move from one to the other · How Love Languages can help you translate what your spouse needs (even if it doesn't come naturally) · Why scheduling intimacy can be a healthy solution (and how to keep it from feeling transactional) · How resentment kills connection and how meeting needs outside the bedroom changes everything · Why kindness, consistency, and teamwork matter more than "spontaneity" · How prayer and alignment helped Jason and Katie break through a long-standing struggle · A simple framework for new couples: talk openly, make a plan, work the plan, adjust together · The bigger aim: build a marriage that brings joy, stability, and strength for your life and career If you're a new couple in construction, don't wait years hoping things "just get better." Have the honest conversation, build the system together, and keep refining it. Share this with someone who needs it. 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

In this episode, Jason sits down with Dr. Steve and Amanda from BioHealth Management to talk about something most teams ignore until it's too late: shoulder pain, shoulder wear-and-tear, and the long-term consequences of "just pushing through it." They break down the real difference between symptoms vs. source, why the pain often shows up in the back even when the problem starts in the front, and how repetitive motion, posture, tool belts, harnesses, and desk work quietly stack up over time. The goal isn't just to feel better at work it's to stay strong enough to enjoy life after work without pain, stiffness, or lost mobility. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · Why shoulder pain is usually the symptom and not the source · How forward posture (phones, computers, harnesses, bags) shortens the front and weakens the back · The most common shoulder issues workers retire with (impingement, bursitis, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff problems) · How to spot early warning signs before they become long-term damage · Why "stretching" can help but only if you do the right kind at the right time · A simple chest/pec stretch that opens up the front of the shoulder safely · A practical activation sequence for the back muscles (including easy jobsite-friendly movements) · Why shoulder circles and toe-touching stretches can backfire for certain people · How ergonomic desks can still cause strain if you set them up wrong · How taking care of shoulders supports performance on the job and quality of life at home The big takeaway is simple: you don't have to accept shoulder pain as "part of the job." When teams learn how the body works, how to prepare it, and how to recover correctly, you can dramatically reduce injuries, improve mobility, and extend careers. 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

In this episode, Jason challenges a core assumption most leaders make on job sites: that people naturally know how to collaborate, speak up, and engage in healthy meetings. The truth is, many workers have been conditioned their entire lives to stay quiet, avoid conflict, follow hierarchy, and survive not participate. If you've ever wondered why pull plans stall, meetings feel awkward, or foremen won't engage, this episode explains exactly why. Jason breaks down what's really happening beneath the surface and how great leaders can deprogram these behaviors to build trust, engagement, and real teamwork. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · Why people struggle to speak up in pull plans, huddles, and coordination meetings · How traditional schooling conditions workers to avoid conflict and authority · Why silence, resistance, or disengagement is often a learned survival behavior · What to expect when new trade partners enter a Lean or collaborative environment · How fear of hierarchy shuts down communication on job sites · Why some foremen become aggressive or withdrawn in meetings · The importance of psychological safety before demanding accountability · How to assume positive intent without lowering standards · Practical ways to rebuild trust and participation on your project · How leaders can retrain teams to collaborate, plan, and problem-solve together If you want better meetings, stronger pull plans, and teams that actually collaborate instead of shut down, this episode will change how you see people and how you lead them. Start building trust, reinforce the right behaviors, and commit to creating a culture where people feel safe enough to speak up and contribute. 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

In this episode, Jason challenges you to stop waiting for permission to grow and start investing in yourself like it matters because it does. Training isn't fluff, and personal development isn't optional if you want to level up. If you want better opportunities, better confidence, better results, and a better life, you have to sharpen the saw on purpose. This episode is a direct push to pick your next training, schedule it, pay for it, and get after it. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · Why negative voices keep people stuck and how to replace them with a positive feedback loop · Why training is one of the best returns on investment you'll ever get · What "sharpening the saw" looks like in real life and real career progression · How Jason approaches investing in himself yearly and why it compounds · Why "technical-only" learning misses the point of leadership and growth · How to identify what you actually need next instead of copying someone else's path · How your "red zone" helps you choose the right training and avoid miserable promotions · A simple process to pick 2–3 growth targets, research training options, and schedule them · How to approach your company to pay for training and how to come back and teach it · Why you should schedule the training first, then figure out the money second Training changes your skill set, your mindset, your confidence, and your ability to lead. If you want the next level, you have to force the jump and invest in yourself on purpose. 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

In this episode, Jason breaks down a simple truth that most teams avoid: owners don't get mad because problems happen they get mad when they're surprised. If you want trust, repeat work, and a healthy project team, you have to take the owner with you as issues emerge, not at the end when the damage is already done. This episode is about transparency, early warning systems, and how to communicate problems with a plan so you protect relationships, protect the team, and protect the job. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · Why "we'll just absorb it" usually backfires later · How surprises destroy owner trust more than bad news does · The right way to report problems without dumping them on the owner · How to use OAC meetings to keep everything above-board and visible · Why schedules must stay accurate and never be "falsified to look good" · How open-book thinking reduces stress and improves collaboration · What to do when procurement, design, or field issues start trending bad · The simple language to notify owners early and reset expectations · Why "problems belong to the team" is the only sustainable mindset · How transparency today becomes your best marketing for the next job If you're a superintendent, PM, or project executive, your job is not to hide pain until the end. Your job is to surface issues early, bring a recovery plan, and keep the owner informed so they feel in control. No surprises. No last-minute shock. Take them with 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

In this episode, Jason walks through Chapter 3 of Calumet K and connects it directly to real-world construction leadership. The story of Charlie Bannon exposes a critical lesson: great builders don't accept surface answers when procurement fails they hunt for root causes and create new paths forward. This episode is about persistence, situational awareness, and the mindset required to win when systems push back. If you've ever been told "there's nothing we can do," this one is for you. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · Why accepting vague procurement excuses guarantees delays · How Charlie Bannon models true root-cause problem solving · The danger of relying on phone calls instead of face-to-face investigation · How power, politics, and hidden incentives affect material flow · Why great builders refuse to be "buzzed away" by authority · What it means to think several moves ahead under pressure · How imagination and situational awareness unlock better decisions · Why winning builders always develop Plan B, C, D, and beyond · How persistence turns roadblocks into strategic advantages · What modern superintendents can learn from this classic story If you're facing stalled materials, unclear answers, or political roadblocks on your project, take this episode as a challenge. Don't stop at the first explanation. Dig deeper, ask better questions, and build alternate plans until you find a way forward. 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

Most superintendents don't fail because they lack talent they struggle because they lack consistent standard work. In this episode, Jason breaks down the Superintendent Commandments: the daily habits that create safety, cleanliness, flow, and trust on a construction project. He explains how these principles work regardless of personality style and why discipline always beats raw ability. If you run this system long enough, the results compound less stress, better projects, and a stronger career. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · What "commandments" really mean standard work that predicts success, not rigid rules · The daily loop every great superintendent follows: drawings, schedule, reflection walk · Why studying drawings every day is non-negotiable for real builders · How reviewing the schedule daily triggers assignments, readiness, and accountability · Why carrying the schedule into the field changes how you see manpower and flow · The power of visualization and repeating the plan until it sticks · Why every superintendent needs a tape measure and what it symbolizes · How asking questions builds authority instead of weakening it · Why transparency eliminates stress and prevents disasters · The real job of leadership: removing roadblocks daily · How safety and cleanliness directly protect cost, schedule, and morale · Why returning calls, texts, and emails is a career-defining habit · How PMs and superintendents must operate as equal accountability partners · The 60-day discipline challenge and why consistency changes everything If you're a superintendent, commit to these commandments for the next 60 days and track your consistency. If you're a leader, challenge your supers to run this system and support them while they build the habit. Discipline compounds and when you master these basics, everything else gets easier. 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

Most projects don't fail in the field they fail before boots ever hit the site. In this episode, Jason walks through the builder's pre-construction game plan for "winning the war before going to battle," from strategy and flow to procurement, team setup, and workforce support. If you want a job that runs with clarity instead of chaos, this is the checklist-style breakdown of what to design, buy out, and align before Notice to Proceed. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · Why planning is the real "battle," and how most teams lose before construction even starts · How a morning routine (and box breathing) supports focus so you can actually execute your systems · What "anchor projects" are and why your best people should learn from them and replicate the model · The first-planner steps: project strategy, constraints, contract requirements, flow, and sequencing maps · Why Takt planning belongs before CPM/P6/Microsoft Project and how it protects trade flow · How a day-to-day geographic logistics analysis reveals the real production limits on tight sites · The WBS → sequence → logic-tie approach that prevents "compressing the schedule to fit a date" · How to identify bottlenecks and stabilize throughput instead of speeding up random activities · Building procurement into the plan early especially exterior systems, elevators, and long-leads · How to build the team in pre-con: roles by geography, leader standard work, and team health systems · Designing trailers and office layouts for collaboration (so lean actually has a chance to work) · Workforce win strategies: bathrooms, lunchrooms, huddles, parking, water/ice, and making work fun · "Contracts and costs for culture": buying out the behaviors you want (LPS, JIT, coordination, BIM) · Schedule health essentials: right detail level, commissioning/startup, monthly health checks and risk · Risk prevention systems: basis of schedule, sequence maps, trade partner buy-in, fresh-eyes reviews · The baseline discipline: backups, reports, owner interface strategy, and weekly schedule updates If you want remarkable performance in the field, you have to design the job people, logistics, culture, procurement, and flow in pre-con. Win the war first. Then go to battle. 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

Field engineering mistakes are expensive and most of them are preventable. In this episode, Jason lays out the "field engineering commandments," the core practices that protect you from the big, painful errors that cost time, money, and trust. If you're a field engineer (or want to become one), this is a practical checklist to tighten your habits, improve your accuracy, and build confidence in your work. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · Why following proven field practices prevents major rework and costly layout errors · The critical control, benchmark, and verification steps that keep your project coordinates honest · What "always check" really means and how to double-check correctly (tech, direction, person, approach) · Why closed level loops and properly documented benchmarks matter more than most teams realize · The baseline setup rule that makes your layout self-checking and reduces risk · Why you should never burn a foot and the simple tape technique that eliminates the mistake · The hidden accuracy problems with forefoot prism poles and when to use mini prisms instead · Why calibration isn't optional and how defective gear quietly creates bad data · How better field notes, labeling, and documentation protect you and the project This episode is about being professional, consistent, and dangerous in the best way meaning your work holds up, your layout is right, and your confidence is earned. Learn the commandments, build them into your standard work, and go home knowing it's correct. 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

This episode is dedicated to workers and foremen who want to take their next step but feel stuck, unsure, or intimidated by what comes next. Jason shares a key epiphany about why people stall in their careers and explains the real skills gap that holds foremen back from advancing. If you want to move forward with confidence instead of fear, this episode lays out a clear, practical path. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: · Why career growth doesn't happen automatically—you have to force the jump · The hidden skills that stop foremen from advancing beyond early superintendent levels · Why technology, organization, and communication are the real barriers (not intelligence) · How fear of computers, email, and systems quietly limits career progression · Why the field engineer path accelerates long-term growth · The four core skill sets every future superintendent must master · How to train yourself if you don't have access to formal programs · What it actually takes to move from foreman to high-level leadership If you're a worker or foreman who wants more—more responsibility, more opportunity, more impact this episode is your wake-up call. Don't wait for someone to notice you or promote you. Take ownership of your growth, force the learning curve, and build the skills that unlock your next level. If you need help creating that path or want guidance on where to start, reach out, take action, and commit to your future. 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

In this episode, Jason and his wife Katie explore one of the most powerful mindset shifts for leaders: assuming positive intent. Through the concept of "skill, not will" from the book Changeable, they unpack why most people are doing their best even when their behavior is frustrating, and how identifying their positive intent allows you to stay in control, find win-win solutions, and avoid getting dragged into the mud. What you'll learn in this episode: Why most negative behavior is a skill problem, not a will problem How assuming positive intent keeps you in control and out of reactive mode The technique of identifying what someone is trying to accomplish (even when they do it poorly) Why people who seem difficult are often just trying to meet basic needs like significance or connection How this mindset shift frees you from the emotional weight of assuming the worst about people Stop getting dragged into the mud and start leading from a place of control. 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

In construction, leaders often play savior when team members bring complaints about each other. But that approach drains your emotional currency, prevents real conflict resolution, and stops teams from building trust. In this episode, Jason breaks down the right way to handle complaints by connecting people directly, coaching healthy conflict, and building teams that solve their own problems instead of running to you. What you'll learn in this episode: Why playing savior with complaints drains your emotional currency and prevents team growth The four-step response system for handling complaints without becoming the middleman When you must handle complaints directly versus when you should connect people together How healthy teams function like Navy SEALs or Olympic teams with open coaching and accountability The guiding principle: Is this bringing the team closer together or pushing them further apart? Stop playing savior and start building teams that trust each other. 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

In this episode, Jason continues the Calumet K series with Chapter 2, where Charlie Peterson's inexperience becomes painfully clear against Bannon's problem-solving drive. Through the story of Murphy's rope drive job and Peterson's cribbing crisis, Jason unpacks what separates proficient superintendents from inexperienced ones and why comfort zone work is just running away from real leadership. What you'll learn in this episode: Why doing laborer's work means you're running away from your real job as a superintendent How productively paranoid leaders attack supply chain issues instead of hoping they resolve themselves Why great superintendents get out of their comfort zone to solve hard problems nobody else wants to tackle The difference between victim mentality and ownership mentality when deadlines and penalties are on the line How urgency and aggressive problem-solving separate proficient project teams from inexperienced ones Are you leading or just staying busy in your comfort zone? 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

In construction, no scheduling system is one-size-fits-all not CPM, not Last Planner, not even Takt. But what if there was a framework that could work across nearly any project milestone with just team collaboration and a simple board? In this episode, Jason introduces Scrum, an agile planning system built on transparency, daily standups, and constant feedback that can transform how your teams plan, execute, and actually win on site instead of just surviving. What you'll learn in this episode: Why traditional scheduling systems fall short and how Scrum creates true team collaboration without requiring scheduling expertise. The 12 practical steps to implement Scrum on your construction projects, from creating a backlog to running sprint retrospectives. How to use a simple four-column Scrum board to move tasks from planning to completion and gain on schedules instead of barely meeting them. Why Scrum works across milestones while other systems require specialized knowledge and constant adjustment. How daily standups, sprint reviews, and scoring systems create a process of constant improvement that makes teams faster and happier. Stop worrying about being behind start planning to win. 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

Safety, quality, and productivity aren't three competing dials you don't "pick two." In this episode, Jason is joined by Jim Rogers (known for his LinkedIn Learning work) to break down why those three outcomes are inextricably linked: when safety drops, productivity drops; when quality drops, safety and schedule suffer; and when teams chase speed without systems, everything gets worse. They talk about leading indicators, using technology and data to spot problems early, and adopting Lean thinking so you remove root causes instead of just adding manpower and hoping it fixes the mess. What you'll learn in this episode: Why "pick two" is a myth, and how safety, quality, and productivity rise and fall together How unsafe conditions reduce efficiency and quality (and why fear and chaos kill performance) How Lean thinking shifts the paradigm: remove waste and root causes instead of adding people to "clean up" problems How leading indicators and construction technology can reveal early warning signs before you get injuries, rework, and delays The challenge to "think differently" and build training, learning, and better systems into the industry Are you still living in the old paradigm of "pick two," or are you ready to build a system where safety, quality, and productivity improve together? 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

Success in construction isn't about getting a new title, a new truck, or a new company it's about getting into your red zone: what you're best at, what you love doing, and what you get paid for. In this episode, Jason shares the "silver bullet" he believes can accelerate almost anyone's career in construction: finding your core purpose and building your fundamentals the right way. He tells the story of going from nearly getting fired as a field engineer to becoming a trusted teacher and coach—because he went back to basics, studied relentlessly, and implemented what works. If you want to level up fast, this episode will give you a direction and a practical starting point. What you'll learn in this episode: What "success without fulfillment is the ultimate failure" really means and how to find your red zone How to identify your core purpose (and why promotions won't fix misalignment) The difference between running to something vs. running away from something in your career decisions Why the Field Engineering Methods Manual can be a career "silver bullet," and how mastering fundamentals changes everything Why workers and foremen should consider the field engineer path to build a foundation before moving into superintendent leadership Are you chasing a new position to fix a feeling or are you willing to do the hard work to get aligned with your core purpose and build the foundation that will actually change your life? 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

Your body is your #1 tool, and if you don't take care of it, the job will eventually take it from you. In this episode, Jason is joined by Dr. Steve Grennan and Amanda Hill from Biohealth Management to talk specifically about lower-back pain, why sitting can wreck your spine, and how tight hamstrings and dehydration show up as real symptoms on the job. They give practical, jobsite-ready guidance for mobility, hydration, and prevention so you can work hard without paying for it later. Plus, they share how to get a simple stretch sheet and a giveaway for boot insoles for the first listeners who take action. What you'll learn in this episode: Why sitting (car rides, slouching, and "resting" at home) can make lower-back issues worse How tight hamstrings pull your pelvis, flatten your low-back curve, and create symptoms The difference between nerve-related pain vs. muscular strain and how to recognize early warning signs Why hydration matters for joints, muscle function, and recovery—and how dehydration shows up fast How to get a simple low-back stretch program and request a free insole kit (first 75 who email [email protected]) Are you treating your body like a replaceable part or like the asset that determines your future? 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

Construction can build a great career but it can also quietly take your family if you don't design the lifestyle on purpose. In this episode, Jason is joined by his wife, Katie, for an honest conversation about what it really takes to protect families in a high-intensity industry: making clear agreements, setting expectations, staying kind, and showing up at home with the right energy. They share real stories from the early years, the sacrifice of travel and long hours, and the practical mindset shift that helps couples stop "surviving construction" and start building a life together. What you'll learn in this episode: Why couples must make the "deal" up front: expectations for hours, travel, moving, and what support really looks like How construction spouses build home systems and why the working spouse shouldn't come home and disrupt them Why being tired is never an excuse to be a jerk, and how kindness and presence matter more than perfection Practical ways dads and moms can show up: helping with kids, communicating, and becoming a positive influence at home Why "builders build lives": stop competing, stop comparing, and keep working back toward balance, health, and family stability If your family is the most important project you have, what agreement and habit will you build next so your home stays strong while you build in the field? 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

If you've ever wondered how Scrum can actually work in construction, this episode is your introduction from the source. Jason interviews Felipe Engineer, a Lean leader and Scrum master, to break down how Scrum creates flow, reduces multitasking, and helps teams attack the most critical and troublesome parts of a project with fast feedback loops. They also get into a huge point that matters for real builders: Lean tools like Last Planner should be PDCA'd and adapted to fit the project, not treated like a rigid template that burns people out. This is a practical conversation about being more agile, more nimble, and more effective without losing respect for people. What you'll learn in this episode: What Scrum is (backlog → to-do/doing/done → daily scrum → review → retrospective) and how it maps to Last Planner thinking How Scrum helps teams stop multitasking, create flow, and deliver "done-done" work with fewer surprises Why Lean tools must be modified with PDCA to fit the job (and why "template-only" thinking kills buy-in) Where Scrum fits best in construction: complex functional areas like elevators, MRIs, critical changeovers, and high-risk scopes How to introduce Scrum the right way: start simple, meet people where they are, and let pull—not push—create adoption Are you trying to manage your project with rigid templates or are you willing to build an agile system that creates flow and lets the team win? 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

Productive paranoia isn't being negative, it's being responsible enough to take early warning signs seriously and fix problems before they crash-land the project. In this episode, Jason challenges the "buddy-buddy" culture that protects proximity relationships over the owner, the team, and your family. He shares a real story of a project turning around the moment a toxic foreman was removed, and he lays out the leadership habit that separates strong builders from reactive firefighters: widen the circle early, raise the red flag early, and address issues while you still have time. What you'll learn in this episode: What "productive paranoia" is and why early action prevents project crash-lands Why "proximity loyalty" and savior behavior quietly destroy accountability and performance. When to widen your circle: bring facts, raise a hand, and get help early instead of hiding problems How to draw lines in the sand earlier: notices, supplementation, replacement, and hard conversations Why protecting the owner, the team, and your family must come before protecting reputations and relationships Where are you "hoping it gets better" instead of raising the flag, widening the circle, and fixing it right now? 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

If you wait too long to address problems, you're not being "nice" you're enabling the project to get destroyed. In this episode, Jason breaks down productive paranoia: the habit of taking early warning signs seriously, widening your circle fast, and correcting issues before they become irreversible. He shares a real story about turning a struggling project around by making the hard call to remove a toxic foreman, and he challenges leaders to stop playing "buddy-buddy" or savior with people at the expense of the owner, the team, and their families. This is a short, direct reset on what proactive leadership really looks like. What you'll learn in this episode: What "productive paranoia" is and why early action prevents project crash-lands Why "proximity loyalty" (buddy-buddy, favorites, protecting reputations) quietly destroys accountability When and how to widen your circle: raise a hand, bring facts, and get help early How to draw lines in the sand earlier: notices, hard conversations, supplementation, or replacement Why protecting the owner, the team, and your family must come before protecting bad behaviors Where are you "hoping it gets better" instead of raising the flag, widening the circle, and fixing it right now? 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

Calumet K isn't just a story, it's a mirror for what happens on projects when urgency, organization, and leadership are either present… or missing. In this episode, Jason introduces Calumet K (Chapter 1), explains why the book matters for builders, and then breaks down the chapter with practical lessons you can apply immediately to real projects. You'll hear the contrast between an "unlucky" leader who waits and hopes, and a leader who takes control through urgency, problem-solving, communication, and systems that support the work. This is about becoming the kind of builder who brings order to chaos and refuses to let the job "run itself." What you'll learn in this episode: Why "unlucky" is often a mindset and how owners expect leaders to bring problems back into control The difference between a worker/foreman mindset and a superintendent mindset (leading vs. swinging the sledge) Why supportive systems matter: trailers, tools, ladders, planning, and the resources that make success possible How urgency shows up as action: go to the source, solve the problem, and stop "expecting" things to magically work out Why communication and organization are non-negotiable for real leadership (letters, follow-up, and discipline) Are you the leader who waits and hopes or the leader who takes control and builds order on purpose? 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

The Last Planner System isn't just another meeting cadence; it's how you get total participation, real commitments, and predictable flow instead of a "shoved-down" schedule that nobody follows. In this episode, Jason breaks down what Last Planner is, why traditional CPM schedules often fail in the field, and how planning must get more detailed as you get closer to the work. He walks through the five key elements (master scheduling, pull planning, make-ready, weekly work planning, and day planning), plus practical rules for commitments, roadblock removal, and tracking Percent Plan Complete so teams can learn, improve, and stop the chaos. What you'll learn in this episode: Why total participation is the missing ingredient in most scheduling systems and how Last Planner fixes it Why planning should get more detailed as you get closer to the work (and why day-level plans months out are fake certainty) The five elements of Last Planner: master scheduling, pull planning, make-ready, weekly work planning, and day planning How to remove roadblocks fanatically, make reliable promises, and track Percent Plan Complete to drive continuous improvement Practical rules that make the system work: own your commitments, don't move others' tags, plan geographically, and protect reliability If your schedule "looks good" but crews keep showing up to unready work, what would change if you ran Last Planner with real commitments and real accountability? 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_3p5nmMKnswSample

Cleanliness isn't a personality quirkit's a leadership habit that shows up in your jobsite results, your communication, your planning, and your life at home. In this episode, Jason shares his personal "cleanliness journey" (from messy, to overly obsessive, to a healthy balance) and explains why a clean, organized environment is one of the strongest indicators of operational control on a project. He connects cleanliness to mindset, discipline, and total participation, and challenges field engineers and superintendents to raise their "set point" for clean without becoming a dictator about it. What you'll learn in this episode: Why cleanliness is a differentiator and one of the fastest indicators a project is in trouble or under control How to find the healthy balance between "messy" and "obsessive" and lead with influence, not criticism Why running a clean jobsite is one of the hardest things to do and why it proves you can run anything How outer order creates inner peace: clean desk, clean files, clean truck, clean plans, clean communication A practical challenge to reset your habits: keep everything clean and organized for 1–4 weeks and watch what changes If cleanliness shows up everywhere you lead, what will you clean, organize, and systematize this week so your work and life stop feeling chaotic? 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_3p5nmMKnswSample

A great crew doesn't happen by accident; it's built through clear expectations, repeated communication, and a real orientation system that sets people up to win. In this Saturday "worker and foreman" episode, Jason shares a powerful story about one of the best foremen he's ever seen and how that foreman created A-player performance by onboarding every worker with a clear list of standards and reinforcing it weekly. You'll learn why it takes seven repetitions for messages to stick, how longer orientations reduce incidents, and why foremen must act as teachers and coaches not just "the toughest worker on site." What you'll learn in this episode: Why people don't need to be taught as much as they need to be reminded and why it takes seven repetitions for expectations to stick What "remarkable orientation" looks like at the company level and the project level (and why longer orientations reduce incidents) How one elite foreman onboarded workers with a written standards list and repeated it weekly to create consistent A-player behavior Why morning worker huddles and 25-minute crew prep huddles are the daily engine for alignment, planning, and total participation Why foremen must lead through others teaching, mentoring, coaching, correcting, and guiding all day Are you hoping people "figure it out," or are you willing to orient, repeat, and coach until the standard becomes the culture? 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

Just-in-time isn't a buzz phrase; it's a real Lean system that cuts waste, lowers costs, and stabilizes your project by delivering only what's needed, when it's needed, in the amount needed. In this episode, Jason explains why just-in-time fails when schedules are constantly changing, and why predictable flow (especially with Takt planning) is what makes it possible. You'll learn how to right-size inventory buffers, break procurement and deliveries down by production areas, and "hold the line" with delivery control so your jobsite doesn't get buried in material, damage, and chaos. What you'll learn in this episode: Toyota's definition of just-in-time and why it's really about eliminating excess inventory and handling waste Why just-in-time requires schedule reliability and predictability (and why constant schedule "jockeying" creates inventory) How to right-size inventory buffers (enough to protect flow, not so much it creates waste) How to break materials and procurement down by production areas (area A/B/C—not "the whole floor") and control deliveries How Takt + Last Planner make just-in-time realistic: hold dates, use make-ready schedules, and enforce delivery coordination If your site is drowning in material right now, what schedule habit do you need to change so you can actually run just-in-time? 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

In this episode, Jason sits down with Brandon Montero for a deep conversation on a simple question: what does it actually take to be a good person? They explore how "good vs. bad" gets shaped by culture, time, religion, and the preset templates we inherit and why those templates can help us… or mislead us. You'll hear a practical take on personal accountability, why the journey matters more than the destination, and the challenge of deciding what your own "recipe" for being good really is. If you've ever wanted a clearer internal compass for how you show up at work, at home, and with other people this one will hit. What you'll learn in this episode: Why preset templates for "good" and "bad" can help you and where they can mislead you How culture and time shape morality, and why your personal compass still matters What accountability really means when you're trying to become better The question that changes everything: do you feel a responsibility to help others on their path? When you put your head on the pillow tonight, what would have to be true for you to say, "I was a good person today"? 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 e

Waste is all around us but most teams don't see it, so they organize it, move it, and live with it. In this episode, Jason breaks down the 8 wastes in a way that's practical, memorable, and immediately usable on a jobsite, in the office, or even at home. You'll hear a real story that shows how "busy" can still be a waste, why motion is not productivity, and how Lean wins by lowering the water level so problems become visible and removable. If you want a team that can see waste, hate it, and fix it daily this is the episode. What you'll learn in this episode: The 8 wastes (overproduction, inventory, waiting, transportation, overprocessing, motion, defects, unused creativity) and how to spot them fast Why overproduction creates inventory and how those two wastes create more waste downstream Why "busy workers" doesn't mean Lean and how wasted motion burns people out and increases injuries The "river of waste" concept: stop raising the water level with more resources and start removing roadblocks A simple system to build a Lean culture: learn the wastes, 3S daily, share improvements in huddles, and scale through videos What waste have you been tolerating so long that you've stopped seeing it—and what will you fix today now that you can't unsee it? 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

If you want to start your Lean journey the right way, start here: 3S. In this episode, Jason explains why 3S (and 5S) is the foundational building block of Lean and why it's needed everywhere: jobsite, trailer, office, BIM files, gang boxes, laydown yards, and even at home. He breaks down the difference between 5S and the simplified 3S approach from Paul Akers, then shows how 3S helps you see waste, fix what bugs you, and build a culture of total participation through daily huddles and continuous improvement. What you'll learn in this episode: What 5S is (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) and why Paul Akers simplifies it to 3S Why 3S is the fastest way to see waste and begin making real Lean improvement. How to build a simple culture loop: learn the 8 wastes → 3S → fix what bugs you → before/after videos → share in huddles Where 3S applies in construction: site conditions, gang boxes, cut stations, laydown, trailers, and even digital file organization How to make it fun (lean foam/shadow boards) and stop "getting used to the mess" as the normal way to live What would change if your team had total participation 3S'ing daily, fixing what bugs them, and improving the system every morning? 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

Visual management isn't "extra"—it's how you get information out of your head and into the field so the whole team can see as a group, know as a group, and act as a group. In this episode, Jason explains what a true visual workplace looks like on a construction site and why Lean doesn't work without it. You'll hear practical examples—from Takt plans and visual planning boards to signage plans, day plan boards, hoist rules, lean boards on floors, and even Bluebeam photo-sketches—that make the plan obvious, reduce confusion, and create real operational control. If you want a jobsite that runs smoother with less babysitting, this is the blueprint. What you'll learn in this episode: Why visual management creates a "self-ordering, self-explaining, self-regulating" jobsite and why Lean requires it How to use Takt plans and visual scheduling boards so crews can see the plan in seconds How to design project signage and interaction spaces so workers always know where to go and how to engage What visual day plans, floor lean boards, hoist rules, and color-coded deliveries look like in the field How to make coordination easier with visuals like Bluebeam photo-sketches, one-lines, and BIM views brought to the field If your workers only understand 20% of the plan today, what visual system will you build first to get that number closer to 100%? 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

Bad days happen but you don't have to wake up like an accident and let the day run you. In this episode, Jason shares a practical morning routine to reset your energy, calm your mind, and become intentional about who you're going to be that day. He walks through box breathing, gratitude, visualization, affirmations, and purpose statements to help you control your "monkey mind" and show up as a giver instead of a victim. If you want more consistency, better leadership, and a stronger mindset even when life feels tipped over—this is your blueprint. What you'll learn in this episode: How to use box breathing (inhale/hold/exhale/hold) to calm your mind and regain focus A simple gratitude practice that shifts you out of negativity and into intention How visualization and affirmations help you "create the person you want to be" every day How to choose the two key outcomes you'll own that day and execute with purpose Why routines beat willpower, and how a 12–14 minute system can change your consistency fast Are you waking up like an accident or are you going to build who you want to be before the day even starts? 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