Elevate Construction

Jason's voice is gone from yelling at boot camp, so we're bringing you two vintage episodes from when he first started podcasting at DPR. First, Brent Elliott breaks down why empathy is his superpower, reading people daily, asking "how are you doing?" first, and building people while building the building. Second, Jake Smalley shares why making real connections matters, shutting your mouth to listen, finding common ground beyond construction, and building trust that improves communication. These classic interviews remind us that who we build is as important as what we build.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why empathy means tailoring your approach to each person instead of treating everyone like a nail when you're the hammer

• Brent's daily practice: read people's mood, ask how they're doing first, and care about them before diving into work

• Jake's method: shut your mouth, listen, find common ground in hobbies and family, and build genuine connections

• Why building relationships first leads to better communication, more safety reporting, and stronger trust with subs and inspectors

• The warning: don't reach too far or be fake, people can tell when you're not sincere

We're dealing with people. If we tear them down reaching the goal, what does that mean at the end of the day?

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

It takes 6 seconds to make a world of difference, but only 4 seconds for your brain to talk you out of it. Nelson Atagi shares the story of two Marines in Ramadi who stood their ground for 6 seconds while a truck bomb barreled toward them, saving 150 sleeping soldiers and sacrificing their own lives. Jason and Nelson break down what those 6 seconds mean for us, 6 seconds to call your spouse, dance with your kids, ask a coworker how they're doing, or stop an unsafe act. When you've already decided to do the right thing, those 6 seconds change everything.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• The story of Jonathan Yale and Jordan Haerter, two Marines who gave 6 seconds and saved 150 lives in Ramadi, 2008

• Why your brain will talk you out of doing the right thing in 4 seconds, unless you've already decided before the moment arrives

• How servicemen and women train themselves to make the right decision instantly because they've decided ahead of time

• The challenge: Use your 6 seconds to call someone, show you care, stop an unsafe act, or serve, don't let 4 seconds talk you out of it

• Why buildings and projects mean nothing if we don't take care of the people we work with and love

Decide now who you're going to be. When the 6 seconds come, you won't have time to decide; you'll only have time to act.

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

Wake up. Apathy will kill you here. If pornography hasn't touched your life already, it's going to rip huge gaping holes in it. Jason tackles one of the most destructive yet hidden issues affecting construction workers, leaders, and families, pornography addiction. He shares stories of brilliant construction professionals whose lives were destroyed, marriages that ended, and families torn apart by an addiction as chemically powerful as cocaine or heroin. This episode explains why we're losing the battle against pornography, how the addiction cycle rewires the brain, and why bringing it into the light is the only path to recovery. If you can't stop, you have a problem, and you need help.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why Jason knows as many people whose lives have been destroyed by pornography as by serious construction injuries—and why we must talk about it

• The addiction cycle: preoccupation, ritualization, acting out, despair, and how it escalates into illegal acts and destroyed marriages

• Why pornography is a chemical addiction that rewires the brain and desensitizes people to real human relationships

• The truth about recovery: disclosure is the key, and 12-step support programs are essential, just like with alcoholism

• Jason's challenge: Ask yourself, "Can I stop?" If the answer is no, bring it into the light and get help before it destroys your life

Elevate Construction's mission is to respect workers, train leaders, and preserve families. This episode serves that mission by addressing the hidden enemy destroying marriages and lives in silence.

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 doubled your communication, it wouldn't be enough. If you quadrupled it, still not enough. You need to multiply it by seven. Jason tackles the number one problem on construction projects: teams aren't communicating because they don't trust each other and they're not really a team. He breaks down why the plan can't live in one person's head, why visual communication must be everywhere on your project, and how the communication thermometer rises from 20% to 100% when teams build trust through proximity. Jason also paints a vivid picture of what a pristine, well-organized project looks like with visual boards, clean job sites, and morning worker huddles that build rapport and culture.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why you need to communicate important points seven times before people will act, and why most teams communicate at only 20%

• The communication thermometer: how to rally teams around increasing transparency and trust to prevent costly rework

• Why 50% of communication is body language, 43% is voice, and only 7% is words, and how to match, mirror, and pace to build rapport

• The truth about IPD and big rooms: more emails and texts mean better throughput of communication, not wasted time

• Jason's detailed walkthrough of a pristine project site with visual communication everywhere, from wayfinding signs to huddle boards on every floor

Without proximity, there's no culture. Without culture, there's no trust. Without trust, there's no communication. Without communication, nobody performs. Increase your communication thermometer and start winning.

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 reveals 205 episodes times 25 minutes equals 5,125 minutes, 85 hours of podcast, probably 100 hours. In Baltimore Maryland with the DPR crew hanging out with best friends. Jim Collins quote about right people on bus: five basic characteristics for the right person. Main topic going fast but together. Think fast anticipate problems spot industry trends, companies that didn't switch to webinars online learning remote events during COVID-19 obsolete out of business. Make decisions quickly eliminate bureaucracy, unbundle everything visible accessible quickly and relevant. Get to market faster, Jason's takt planning book two weeks away first definitive book about takt planning. Sustain maintain velocity outpace entropy.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• 205 episodes math: 205 times 25 minutes equals 5,125 minutes, divide by 60 equals 85 hours, probably 100 hours worth of podcast
• Jim Collins right people on bus: Five basic characteristics for being right person on bus, wrong people off bus, right people in right seats
• Think fast: Anticipate problems see roadblocks, spot industry trends, companies didn't switch to webinars online learning during COVID-19 now obsolete out of business
• Make decisions quickly: Create rules parameters guidelines bumpers, eliminate bureaucracy, unbundle everything visible accessible quick fast relevant
• Get to market faster than others: Jason's takt planning book two weeks away, first definitive book, editor jamming Katie going through story, first one out wins
• Sustain maintain velocity: Calculate odds prove it, apply resources ruthlessly, measure key metrics, maintain financial flexibility, don't believe your own PR ask customers

You have to go fast together, do right things, not chase the next shiny thing or overburden people, outpace entropy, destroy decay of projects.

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 at FE Boot Camp Utah State Fair Park Zion building with horseshoe setup snowing outside 6 to 9:30pm sessions Tony Robbins energy with music dancing movement. Then reveals nothing evil about being rich, more money more people you can help, obligation to be as rich as possible. Main topic: Rest and sleep. 2014 University of Illinois study employees in windowless offices lose 46 minutes sleep per night, bodies need natural light for circadian rhythms. Stanford study Chinese workers working from home 13% more productive than offices. Jason calling out stupid people who say napping is bad, sleep when you die, stay up with us. Four hour work week: Longer it takes to manage project worse you are at job, overworking is waste.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• FE Boot Camp facility: Utah State Fair Park Zion building, horseshoe setup, four speakers, high vaulted ceiling, windows, music equipment, snowing outside, 6 to 9:30pm sessions
• Nothing wrong with being rich: More money more people you can help, more time more help, more wisdom more advice, obligation to be as rich as possible
• 2014 University of Illinois study: Employees windowless offices lose 46 minutes sleep per night, bodies need natural light for circadian rhythms
• Stanford study Chinese workers: Working from home 13% more productive than only working in offices
• Jason calling out: Napping is bad, you don't need sleep, sleep when you die, stay up with us, don't sleep at work unprofessional, sins of fathers passed down
• Four hour work week insights: Limit email twice per day, avoid meetings without clear objectives, end time for meetings, empower others to act without interrupting

Longer it takes to manage large project worse you are at job, least amount you work on project indication of how good you are.

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 after 17 hour boot camp day breaks down Carol Dweck's fixed mindset (intelligence static, avoid challenges, give up easily) vs growth mindset (intelligence can be developed, embrace challenges, persist through setbacks). Then reveals rich vs poor mindset: Poor mindset consumes (buy house, car, phone, clothes), lives in scarcity, doesn't rock boat, hopes for miracles, obeys authority, waits for permission, goes to college for a job. Rich mindset invests (training, businesses, real estate, stocks), doesn't live in scarcity, thinks big, works for goals, reads researches studies, solves problems, not victim, takes calculated risks. Most public school lessons are false: CPR changed seven times, going under the desk in an earthquake worst thing (should be next to the desk for a triangle).

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Carol Dweck fixed mindset: Intelligence static, avoid challenges, give up easily, see effort as fruitless, threatened by others, plateau early
• Carol Dweck growth mindset: Intelligence developed, embrace challenges, persist setbacks, effort is path to mastery, learn from criticism
• John Taylor Gatto seven lessons school teaches: Confusion, class position, indifference, emotional dependency, intellectual dependency, provisional self-esteem, no hiding places
• Poor mindset explained: Consume house car phone clothes, live in scarcity, don't rock boat, hope for miracle, obey authority, wait for permission
• Rich mindset explained: Invest in training businesses real estate stocks, think big, work for goals, read research study, solve problems, calculated risks
• Most public school lessons false: CPR changed seven times, go under desk in earthquake crushes you (should be next to desk for triangle), need budgeting investing family dynamics
• Clarity mindset personal organization morning routine work together to design person, if missing any not going as far as you can be.

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 reveals listening is essential for collaboration, if people know you're not listening they can't weigh in, if they can't weigh in they can't buy in. Recording from hotel at boot camp not recording booth. Before power communication with rapport people said Jason you're not paying attention, now gets feedback thank you for caring being sincere really hearing me. Problem now: when listening he forgets what he wants to say, proves he's actually paying attention. Seven ineffective habits: not paying attention, false listening (nodding uh-huh), rehearsing (waiting to speak), interrupting (Jason admits still does to wife), hearing what's expected (finishing sentences), feeling defensive, listening for disagreement. Stephen Covey oxygen: Not being listened to is like oxygen sucked out of room.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Listening enables collaboration: If people know you're not listening they can't weigh in, if can't weigh in they can't buy in
• Seven ineffective listening habits: Not paying attention (ignoring speaker watching TV reading), false listening (pretending nodding uh-huh), rehearsing (chatter in mind waiting to speak), interrupting (Jason still does to wife), hearing what's expected (finishing sentences), feeling defensive (defend instead of understand), listening for disagreement (attorney shouting I object)
• Four ways to achieve effective listening: Focus (pay attention even with dull topics, observe body language voice inflection non-verbal cues), establish rapport (mirror body language rhythm voice tone pace not manipulation), paraphrase what was heard (summarize sender's message give back speaker's words), listen for whole message (meanings in verbal and non-verbal, ideas feelings intentions facts positives and unpleasant)
• Integrated control system: No longer command and control, integrated control where team decides together weighs in buys in, keep control of project sites
• Stephen Covey oxygen analogy: Not being listened to is like oxygen sucked out of room, they won't weigh in won't buy in

Great listeners are great leaders, write Q card and intentionally practice becoming amazing listener.

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 reveals how clarity, personal organization, mindset, and morning routine tie together after coaching call epiphany. Tony Robbins designed Tony, calls that name the monkey mind randomness and lack of discipline goes away. HVAC analogy: Clarity document is thermostat setpoint (where you want to go), mindset is mental setpoint aligning with temperature you want, personal organization is capacity of duct system and units and power feed, morning routine is when during day at key moments setpoints change to make environment right. Morning meditation: Prayer, box breathing, hand on heart grateful twice, breathe in energy push out twice, ask what one thing I need to do today.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Tony Robbins designed Tony: Calls that name the monkey mind randomness lack of discipline goes away, shows up how he needs to be
• Consulting retainers: Clients take idea implement come back with results, energy positivity growth over the top, consultant helps show you the holes in ship
• HVAC analogy explained: Clarity document is thermostat setpoint (where you want room to be), mindset forms mental setpoint to align with temperature, personal organization is capacity of duct system units power feed, morning routine is when setpoints change
• Can't have personal organization without clarity document: Vision mission values big hairy audacious goal strengths what's most important goals show up in leader standard work weekly basis
• Morning meditation process: Prayer, box breathing, hand on heart grateful for something sincerely grateful twice, breathe in energy push out to United States world family twice, ask what one thing need to do today
• Giving vs taking mentality: Time block activities in taking mentality won't be successful, have to be in giving mentality, ask from heaven or universe what key things are, do time blocking with gratitude and giving

If you're in take mode people say I don't want to work with Jason he's looking out for his own career, if honestly always giving they say I'll support that guy anywhere.

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 celebrates episode 200 announcing the Elevating Construction Superintendent book now out on Audible, paperback, Kindle, ebook. At the bioscience research laboratory he had a builder foundation from Hensel Phelps, CM BIM certification, DBIA, lean core training, read 15 lean books, finished on time under budget, great team, clean organized and safe. Then shares a powerful Tony Robbins wall story: 350 plus pound woman had to come over an 8 to 10 foot wall, Jason saw in her eyes she knew she was going to fall and die but decided to trust the team anyway. Her focus went from ground to Jason's eyes, she reached hand up, Jason summoned all strength and hauled her over the wall no matter what.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Elevating Construction Superintendent book: Out on Audible, paperback, Kindle, ebook, basic principles needed for building career as true builder
• Jason's training base: Builder foundation from Hensel Phelps, flew around country over 700 times, boarded plane over 500 times at Hensel teaching field engineers
• Bioscience research laboratory: Had CM BIM, DBIA, lean core training, read 15 lean books, finished on time under budget, great team, clean organized safe
• Tony Robbins wall story: 350 plus pound woman had to come over 8 to 10 foot wall, no harness, no fail safe, Jason only one to help
• Her eyes: Knew she was going to fall die damage organs break leg arm concussion, but decided to trust team, focus went from ground to Jason's eyes
• Jason's decision: No matter what you're getting over this wall, if she's going down I'm going down with her, summoned courage strength, hauled her over
• Mission: By sheer accident of being tall thrown into trainings with best builders, vision to help everyone else over wall, tanked retirement fund to start business

Moments are molecules that make up eternity, behind every job team person are families children thousands of posterity affected by our actions.

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