Elevate Construction

In this episode, Jason kicks off a new series on teaming and organizational health by explaining why balanced, healthy teams are the biggest competitive advantage in construction. He introduces the difference between multipliers and diminishers, why every team needs a clear performance goal, and why healthy conflict and real accountability are non-negotiable if you want a team to reach high performance. You'll also learn the "team performance curve" (working group to high-performance team) and what it takes to move a group up that curve so people feel trusted, relevant, and effective, while still getting home on time.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why team health matters more than strategy or tools
• Multipliers vs. diminishers and their impact on teams
• The role of clear performance goals in team success
• How teams progress to high performance
• Why healthy conflict and accountability are required

If you want a high-performing team, you must build around three essentials: a multiplier leader, a clear strenuous performance goal, and a culture where people practice healthy conflict and hold each other mutually accountable. Without those, team-building activities and personality tests won't move performance.

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 the hidden behaviors that quietly block leaders from taking their next step and shows how to identify and eliminate them. You will learn the 16 most common leadership blocks that show up on real projects, from wanting to be liked to indecisiveness, perfectionism, and playing savior with others. This matters because these patterns don't just hurt project performance, they destroy accountability, burn out leaders, and rob people of balance at home. If you want to grow your influence, lead with respect, and stop being held back by blind spots, this episode gives you a clear place to start.

What you'll learn in this episode

• Why common leadership blocks, like wanting to be liked, indecisiveness, perfectionism, or playing savior, quietly sabotage your growth.
• How selfishness sits at the root of many limiting behaviors and how shifting focus to respect and responsibility changes everything.
• How to identify your personal blocks and begin intentionally practicing new behaviors that strengthen your leadership.
• Why real leadership requires accountability, courage, and the willingness to speak up, even when it's uncomfortable.
• How the principles of respect for people and doing the right thing can guide any leadership decision with clarity.

Pick the one leadership block that shows up most in your behavior, write it down, identify where it shows up on your project, and intentionally practice the opposite behavior until it becomes your new standard.

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 explores one of the most powerful leadership concepts in construction: burning your ships. Jason breaks down why project teams fall into the trap of pushing problems to the end, and how leaders can eliminate that escape route by creating clear milestones, urgency, and absolute commitment to the plan. Through compelling stories and practical examples, he shows how teams win when there is no fallback option and everyone understands the true performance goal. If you want your projects to finish on time without chaos at the end, this episode will challenge the way you lead and plan.

What you'll learn in this episode

• Why construction teams naturally push issues to the end of the project and how to stop it.
• How intermediate milestones act as "points of no return" that drive urgency and discipline.
• Why burning your ships creates focus, unity, and predictable project success.
• How to use visual milestone boards and team ownership to maintain accountability.
• Why real urgency not artificial emergencies is essential for high-performing teams.

If you removed every excuse to delay and committed fully to the plan in front of you, how much more predictable and peaceful would your projects and your leadership 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

This episode digs into one of the most powerful levers a superintendent has: the daily and weekly huddle system that aligns foremen, workers, and the project. Jason breaks down how afternoon foreman huddles, worker huddles, and a weekly planning rhythm transform chaos into clarity on any job site. Through real project examples and hard-earned lessons, he shows why scaling communication from the master schedule to the worker is the foundation of flow, stability, and predictable production. If you've ever struggled with firefighting, misalignment, or wasted mornings, this episode will reset how you plan and lead.

What you'll learn in this episode

• Why foreman and worker huddles are essential to eliminating chaos and aligning every trade.
• How afternoon foreman huddles create better planning, fewer reroutes, and smoother mornings.
• Why two out of three meetings weekly planning, foreman huddles, worker huddles are the minimum for project stability.
• How to scale communication from the master schedule all the way to the day plan every worker can follow.
• How effective huddles reduce firefighting, improve safety, and give leaders the freedom to go home on time.

If every person on your project knew exactly what winning looked like tomorrow, how different would your days and your results 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

This episode goes straight to the heart of project leadership by revealing the early warning signs that a construction job is heading into trouble. Jason shares a powerful list developed by seasoned general superintendents and explains how issues like uncleanliness, disorganization, team dysfunction, and failing systems are not root causes but symptoms pointing to deeper problems. Through real stories and clear examples, he shows how identifying these signals early allows leaders to intervene, restore flow, and protect workers, owners, and the project itself. If you want to stay ahead of crises instead of reacting to them, this episode is essential listening.

What you'll learn in this episode

• How visible symptoms like uncleanliness, unsafe conditions, and chaos reveal deeper leadership and system failures.
• Why dysfunctional teams, low energy, turnover, and poor communication signal urgent project health concerns.
• How missing reporting systems and unclear metrics indicate that a team doesn't know where it stands.
• What multiple struggling subcontractors or unreasonable owners can tell you about the state of a project.
• How reestablishing flow and diagnosing true root causes can bring a troubled project back on track.

If you could spot trouble on your project the moment it appears, how much time, money, and stress could you save and how many people could you protect?

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 brings a fresh and heartfelt look at Who Moved My Cheese? and why its lessons hit especially hard for builders navigating constant industry change. Jason and guest Jake Williams unpack the book's characters, the illusion of stability, and the fears that silently hold people back in their careers and personal growth. Through candid stories and real-world perspective, they show how embracing change, challenging old beliefs, and leaning into discomfort can reignite passion and possibility in construction. If you've ever felt stuck, resistant, or unsure about what's next, this episode will give you a renewed sense of direction.

What you'll learn in this episode

• How fear quietly shapes decisions and how asking "What would I do if I weren't afraid?" can reset your entire path.
• Why success is not a destination but a mindset—and how believing you've "arrived" can limit your growth.
• How the four characters in Who Moved My Cheese? mirror the different ways we respond to change throughout our careers.
• Why adaptability, curiosity, and collaboration are becoming more valuable than stability in today's construction environment.
• How teams can leverage each other's strengths to move forward instead of getting stuck in old patterns.

If your cheese moved today, would you chase it boldly or stay where you are hoping it comes back?

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 tackles one of the most common struggles in construction leadership: feeling trapped by other people's chaos. Jason shares a powerful real-world story that reveals how even one small decision—like canceling a morning huddle—can disrupt stability for an entire workforce. Through vivid examples and practical insights, he shows why leaders must hold their ground, protect their systems, and shield workers from unnecessary variation. If you've ever felt like a "professional babysitter," this conversation will help you reclaim your role and lead with clarity, confidence, and respect.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why stable systems are the foundation of respect and predictable production on any job site.
• How leaders unintentionally become victims to other companies' chaos—and how to stop it.
• Why huddles, standard workflows, and role clarity must be protected at all costs
• How to shield your people from variation and avoid making workers' pay for others' mistakes?
• How intentional leadership creates calm, focus, and reliability in even the most volatile environments.

If you stepped into tomorrow committed to protecting stability instead of reacting to chaos, how different would your project-and your leadership-look?

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 dives into the heart of change in construction, using the classic tale Who Moved My Cheese? as a Launchpad to explore how our industry's "cheese" has been moved and why the Toyota Way offers a roadmap for finding it again. Jason breaks down the 14 Principles of the Toyota Way and shows how each one can transform field leadership, team culture, stability, and flow on construction projects. If you've ever wondered what lean really means beyond the Last Planner System, or how these ideas apply to messy, real-world job sites, this conversation brings clarity and practical direction. Get ready to rethink how you build, lead, and improve.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why lean isn't a trend or a tool, it's a mindset built on stability, respect, and continuous improvement.
• How the 14 Toyota Principles translate directly to construction environments and daily field operations.
• Why flow reveals problems, batching hides them, and how tact planning helps teams see issues early.
• How to use visual controls, standardization, and quality-at-the-source to elevate predictable project outcomes.
• Why leaders must teach, model, and build people not just manage tasks if they want lasting change.

If the industry has moved your cheese, what's stopping you from going to find where it is 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

In this personal episode of the Elevate Construction Podcast, Jason Schroeder opens up about his journey in construction and the lessons he's learned along the way. From a young age, he learned the importance of building trust through rapport and the deep impact that caring for others can have on both personal and professional growth. Jason shares the hardships, triumphs, and pivotal moments that shaped his leadership style and his mission to create a more connected, fulfilling, and successful construction industry.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• The significance of building trust and rapport for effective leadership.
• How personal experiences in construction shaped Jason's approach to leadership.
• The importance of giving, mentoring, and caring for workers to create a positive work environment.
• Why it's crucial to stay true to yourself and lead with authenticity.
• How focusing on the people in the industry can transform not just projects, but lives.

Reflect on your own leadership style: Are you truly connecting with the people around you, or are you simply managing tasks?

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 Dr. Stephen Grennan and Amanda Hill from BioHealth Management to explore a better way to care for the bodies that power our industry. They discuss how preventative orthopedic care can reduce injuries, ease chronic pain, and give construction workers confidence that their careers are sustainable long term. Through real jobsite examples, you'll hear how taking care of people goes far beyond barbecues and giveaways and becomes a true act of leadership. If you've ever wanted to make a real, lasting difference for the craft, this conversation is for you.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why preventative care is more effective and humane than reacting after injuries occur
• The most common physical issues construction workers face and how they can be addressed early
• How individualized assessments help workers regain mobility, reduce pain, and stay productive
• Why caring for workers' bodies builds trust, morale, and long term performance
• How leaders can prove they value people by investing in their health, not just talking about it

What would change on your projects if every worker truly believed their company cared about their future, not just their output?

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