Elevate Construction

Beware of the "It's Not That" People

Lately, I've seen a flood of provocative statements like, "Takt isn't about flow," or, "Lean isn't about tools." They make for good marketing hooks, but they often contradict themselves and create confusion.

In this episode, I cut through the noise to explain when "It's Not That" is just clickbait and when it's a real warning sign. Learn the simple test for deciding which tools, systems, and processes to keep, and which to toss: anything that disrespects people has to go.

Listen now and get clarity on what truly matters in construction systems and planning.

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 5%: Why We Fail to Finish Strong

In construction, most failures aren't because we didn't start, they're because we didn't finish. In this episode, I dig into the "last 5%" problem: the inspections left incomplete, the tools not put away, the work left undocumented. You'll learn why finishing the final details is more important than starting, how Lean thinking reinforces this discipline, and the simple habits that ensure you close every loop.

If you've ever seen a jobsite that's "almost done" but not truly complete, this episode will change how you work and lead.

Listen now and make finishing well your new competitive advantage.

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

How to Be an A-Hole Project Manager (So You'll Know What Not to Do)

Some project managers bully the trades, manipulate contracts, and micromanage every move, and then wonder why projects implode. In this episode, I break down the full "A-Hole PM Playbook," from squeezing costs until payroll hurts to setting impossible deadlines and ignoring safety.

The twist? It's satire with a serious purpose. You'll learn to recognize these toxic behaviors, understand the damage they cause, and commit to a different standard of leadership.

Listen now and make sure you're building trust, not tearing it down.

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

Pre-Kit, Not Same Kit

Too many projects rely on stale, generic checklists that no one reads anymore. In this episode, I break down the real meaning of pre-kitting, making sure crews have exactly what they need to plan, build, and finish without interruptions.

We will explore why the same kits fail, how to create tailored work packages that crews actually want to use, and the steps to make your pre-kit process lean, visual, and effective.

Listen now and start replacing outdated checklists with pre-kits that drive real results 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

Is your project falling behind? You might be just one decision away from turning it around.

In this episode, I break down why moving from a three-day to a two-day time can save your schedule and keep your team focused. You will hear real examples of teams who pushed through hesitation and turned potential delays into early finishes.

We will talk about why fear of change holds projects back, how to make takt times work for you, and the real choice between a two-day takt time and a crash landing. If you are ready to challenge old habits, get your team aligned, and deliver ahead of schedule, this is the episode you cannot miss.

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

Every project faces problems, but the timing of when you address them can make or break your success.

In this episode, I share why productive paranoia is one of the most valuable mindsets you can have on a construction site.

You will hear real examples of how spotting issues early prevented major setbacks, and why waiting for the perfect moment to act almost always backfires. If you want to protect your schedule, your budget, and your sanity, this is the episode you need to hear.

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 does it really mean to treat someone like a subcontractor?

In this episode, I unpack a toxic industry norm that undermines trust, damages relationships, and hurts project outcomes.

I share my own misstep, why the language we use matters, and the concrete ways we can treat trade partners with the respect they deserve.

If you want stronger relationships, smoother projects, and better results, this conversation is a must listen.

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

Contracts Are More Than Paper, They're Your First Line of Defense

What if your contracts could actively protect your project, your team, and your bottom line? In this episode, I sit down with Luke Diorio, Senior VP at AIA Contract Documents, to break down how the right agreements, backed by over 140 years of industry expertise, can help you spot risks early, share them wisely, and keep projects running smoothly.

From AIA's new Katina platform to real-world strategies for customizing contracts, Luke and I unpack how project managers, supers, and executives can turn contract reviews into a powerful risk-management tool. Whether you're building a home or a stadium, these insights could save you time, money, and headaches.

Listen in, and start seeing your contracts not as a formality, but as a strategic advantage.

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 😊).

Code: ELEVATE15 Offer: 15% of the Unlimited Subscription (eligible for first-time subscribers only) Expiry Date: June 30, 2025

aiacontracts.com

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

Ever heard of the "hating period"?

It is not about being negative, it is about asking the tough questions that keep you and your projects safe.

In this episode, I share why blind optimism is dangerous, how curiosity uncovers hidden risks, and the simple five-question rule that will make you sharper, safer, and more effective.

Whether you are new to construction or a seasoned pro, this mindset shift will change how you approach every decision.

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

Do you find yourself worrying about every step of a project?

That might actually be your secret weapon. In this episode, I share how the worry and overcome cycle has helped me push projects, teams, and companies forward. You will see why having something to worry about is a sign of progress, how to turn fear into focus, and why comfort can sometimes be a danger zone.

Discover how to use worry to stabilize systems, build momentum, and create remarkable results.

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