Elevate Construction

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 ).

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