Elevate Construction

In this episode, Jason Schroeder gets real about something construction tends to ignore until it's too late: your marriage. He shares why our industry is "riddled with divorces," why being home isn't the same as being present, and why he believes the target should be 15 hours of quality time with your partner each week. Using The 5 Love Languages as a practical framework, Jason explains how to identify what your spouse actually needs, how to "give first," and how to stop letting work steal your attention when you walk through the front door.

What you'll learn in this episode:

· Why 15 hours of quality time per week is a target worth fighting for, even if you don't hit it perfectly

· How the five love languages work (words, quality time, gifts, acts of service, physical touch) and how to spot your partner's

· Why construction leaders must stop confusing long hours with being "good" at the job, and how that mindset damages families

· The basic relationship needs that often get missed when you're overloaded, distracted, and mentally stuck on tomorrow's problems

· A simple challenge: go home on time, walk in ready to give 100%, and start rebuilding your marriage on purpose

If you're honest… when you walk through the door at home, are you actually present—or are you still thinking about anchor bolts?

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 Schroeder breaks down why flow is king and why it has to become the primary focus for any superintendent who wants stable production, predictable schedules, and real project control. He explains how "push everything left" CPM scheduling often destroys flow, spikes inventory, and drives chaos and why Takt planning should come first to shape a schedule crews can actually follow. You'll learn how flow reduces waste, protects workers from schedule whiplash, and eliminates the trap of "build it fast now and fix it later" with massive punch lists at the end.

What you'll learn in this episode:

· Why flow (not "hurry up" behavior) is the foundation of Lean in construction

· How CPM schedules can accidentally kill flow by pulling activities left and stacking trades on top of each other

· Why Takt planning should come first, and how it should guide the master schedule logic

· How flow reduces inventory, and why overproduction and inventory create the rest of the waste

· The superintendent discipline that matters most: build flow, then stop moving the schedule forward and back

Are you building a schedule that crews can flow through or are you creating an unpredictable system that forces everyone to "bring everything" and waste money?

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 Schroeder sits down with Brandon Montero to talk about what it really means to give 100% not hype, not perfection, but fully showing up with the right standard for the moment. Brandon shares how pride in workmanship, empathy, and personal accountability have shaped his career in surveying, and why "good enough" is usually just a comfort zone in disguise. If you've been coasting, holding back, or blaming your personality for staying small, this conversation will push you to raise your bar and follow through.

What you'll learn in this episode:

· What "giving 100%" actually means, and how to know when you're operating below your best

· How to prepare your mind and body to show up on purpose (music, movement, posture, focus)

· Why confidence and "getting in state" can be authentic when you follow through with action

· How Brandon learned the difference between lazy standards and true craft through real mentors

· A challenge to identify what you've been accepting as "good enough" and raise your personal bar

Where are you using "that's just how I am" to stay comfortable—when you already know you've got more in 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 Schroeder speaks directly to field engineers with a simple principle that separates average builders from future leaders: the measure of your success is how many questions you ask. He explains why the "I didn't want to bother you" mindset leads to mistakes, rework, and slower growth, and why asking questions is how you fail forward faster and build real competence in the field. Jason also shares a leadership training example that shows why kids often learn faster than adults—because they try, fail, ask, and try again without fear—and challenges field engineers to build that same habit on purpose.

· What you'll learn in this episode:

· Why asking questions is the fastest path to growth for field engineers, foremen, and future supers

· How "I didn't want to bother you" creates avoidable mistakes in layout, embeds, lift drawings, and more

· Why asking questions in meetings saves time and prevents everyone from silently staying confused

· How "fail forward faster" works—and why fear and pride slow your learning down

· A practical challenge: track your questions daily and make asking 15+ per day a standard habit

Are you trying to learn construction like an island or are you willing to ask the questions that make you dangerous in a good way?

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 Schroeder and Brandon Montero talk directly to workers and foremen about a career skill that gets overlooked but never stops mattering: dress, appearance, and presence. They break down how posture, eye contact, grooming, and professionalism shape the way people trust you, follow you, and respond to you long before you ever prove your skills. The message isn't "look fancy," it's "show pride, show confidence, and show up like you belong," while balancing personal style with professional standards that help you grow in the industry.

What you'll learn in this episode:

· Why posture and presence (shoulders back, head up) instantly affect how people trust and regard you

· How strong eye contact builds rapport and credibility faster than almost anything else

· Why confidence is self-belief not arrogance and how to project it without being cocky

· How to balance personal expression (like tattoos) with professionalism, especially in first impressions

· Why taking pride in your appearance signals pride in your work—and helps you "dress for the next position"

When someone meets you on a jobsite for the first time, do they see a professional they can trust or someone who looks like they don't care yet?

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

In this episode, Jason Schroeder lays out a clear, field-tested set of operational excellence standards you can use to align your entire project team. He explains why visual standards work, how they raise the team's "set point," and why cleanliness, organization, and right-sized inventory buffers are some of the best indicators of a healthy project. Then he gives a practical 12-point checklist you can post, teach, and enforce so the site runs clean, safe, organized, and predictable.

What you'll learn in this episode:

· Why cleanliness, organization, and right-sized inventory buffers are the pulse-check for project health

· How "set point" thinking explains why trades may call a messy job "clean," and how to raise expectations

· The 12 operational excellence standards, including bathrooms, access ways, cords, deliveries, and organized workspaces

· How to use visuals and posted standards to trigger integrity, accountability, and culture on the jobsite

· How to implement these standards with consistency so crews start declaring breakdowns and fixing them fast

If your project had to prove operational excellence tomorrow, which one of the 12 standards would expose the biggest gap first?

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 Schroeder uses the "bus" analogy from Good to Great to teach a core leadership principle in construction: focus on who first, then what. He explains why getting the right people on the team, putting them in the right seats, and removing the wrong fits is more important than any schedule, system, or tool. You'll also hear how to handle people changes with dignity, protect top performers, and lead like a CEO no matter what your current title is.

· What you'll learn in this episode:

· What "first who, then what" actually means for project teams and leadership decisions

· Why leaving a key seat vacant can be less damaging than filling it with the wrong person

· How to get people in the right seats through coaching and role adjustments before making final calls

· Why leaders must address performance issues directly to protect the team and the culture

· How to lead with respect while still being rigorous about who stays on the bus

Where in your team do you need to make a "who" decision before you try to solve another "what" problem?

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 Schroeder shares a simple way to keep your project from getting derailed by change orders and constant variation. You'll learn why your contract work must stay priority one, and how to track and manage change order work separately without distracting the main crews. Jason walks through real field stories, including the "Buttons of Success," to show how a clear plan and focused leadership can shift a job from chaos to momentum. If you want to shield your team from outside noise and keep flow intact, this is for you.

What you'll learn in this episode:

· Why "keep the ship in orbit" is the mindset that protects your schedule when change orders hit

· How to keep contract work moving while tracking change orders separately with clear ownership

· How to use visuals like roadblock maps to show impacts and get the owner/design team aligned

· What to include in change order pricing so the full context, capacity, and disruption are recognized

· The simple leadership moves that prevent chaos and keep your team winning the first battle first

Are you managing change orders in a way that protects flow—or letting variation pull your whole team off track?

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 Schroeder walks superintendents through one of the biggest performance separators on a jobsite: mindset. He explains the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset, why a fixed mindset causes leaders to avoid challenges and ignore feedback, and how that's exactly how people get stuck at the same level for years. He also gives a practical way to "self-check" your thinking in real time, use feedback as fuel, and keep learning so you can lead better, progress faster, and live more burden-free.

What you'll learn in this episode:

· The difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset, and how each one shows up in the field

· Why fixed mindset leaders avoid challenges, resist feedback, and plateau early in their careers

· How a growth mindset helps you persist through obstacles, learn from criticism, and fail forward

· Why superintendents cannot afford "I've been doing this for 40 years" thinking if they want to lead at the next level

· A simple personal check-in to reset your mindset when you feel defensive, jealous, or afraid to be wrong

When feedback hits or a new idea challenges your routine, do you default to defending what you know or committing to what you can still learn?

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

In this episode, Jason Schroeder breaks down why personal organization is the foundation for success in construction leadership, not a "nice to have." He explains how a simple, reliable system helps you stop forgetting tasks, stop becoming a liability to the team, and start showing up prepared, calm, and effective. You'll hear how personal organization connects directly to working fewer hours, protecting your family time, and becoming the kind of leader people can trust. If you've ever felt behind the eight ball, this one will give you a practical path forward.

What you'll learn in this episode:

· Why "people who forget and need reminders" become a liability, and how to avoid that trap

· How to build a personal system that captures everything and clears your brain so you can think and lead

· Why your to-do list must be in one place you reference multiple times per day, not scattered across devices

· How a morning routine + time blocking + weekly work planning work together to create consistent results

· Jason's challenge: create a to-do list, build a morning routine, and tie it into your weekly plan so you win the day

If you're serious about leading well, what's the one change you'll make today so you stop "hoping you remember" and start running your day 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