Elevate Construction

In this podcast we cover:

• Why we can't just design what people want.
• How we can also design what people need.

In this episode, I share my perspective on why simply building what people say they want often misses the mark. Drawing from construction scheduling, Scrum, and Lean Startup, I explore the risks of defaulting to familiar solutions and explain why true progress requires a deeper look at needs. I discuss how foremen, field engineers, and superintendents should remain central to the planning process, and how tools must be grounded in flow and production control rather than surface features. I also reflect on why software and systems designed with this balance in mind may not always be the most popular, but they are the ones that will actually transform our industry.

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 podcast we cover:

• The framework.
• What blaming people does.
• Why we should criticize systems.

In this episode, I share why I always separate people from the systems they work in. I explain the dangers of blaming individuals for failures that come from broken processes and highlight the importance of protecting dignity, telling the truth, and investing in those closest to the work. My message is simple: if we want lasting improvement in construction and beyond, we must fix the systems instead of faulting the people.

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 podcast we cover:

• Why CPM is failed.
• My responses to listeners.
• One really immature response from me.

In this episode, I talk about the balance between designing what people want and delivering what they actually need. Too often in construction and software development, we end up building faster versions of broken systems simply because that is what people request. I share why listening to clients is important but not enough on its own, and how leaders and creators must interpret needs at a deeper level. Drawing from my own experiences, recent research, and examples from the field, I explain how true progress comes when we merge immediate desires with principles that bring long-term value. This episode is about challenging ourselves to build solutions that not only respond to feedback but also lead the industry toward real improvement.

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 podcast we cover:

• How to integrate on projects.
• Why some people should think you are a threat.

In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Rice and Kate Schroeder to explore what it really means to be an effective integrator on a project site. We talk about why respect is more than being agreeable and how avoiding hard conversations can actually harm the team. Kevin explains why a good integrator should feel a little dangerous to those who are working in silos or hiding behind dishonesty. We also discuss how strong leadership means raising your hand, asking the hard questions, and holding people accountable in a way that benefits the entire project. If you want to better understand the role of an integrator and why courage is a critical part of leadership, this episode will challenge and inspire 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 podcast we cover:

• Why it is important to use drafts.
• Why starting with a bad plan is good.

In this episode, I talk about why a bad plan is often the best starting point for creating a great one. Through stories from my own work and a few analogies, I explain how the power of feedback and iteration turns flawed first drafts into strong, effective strategies. If you have ever hesitated to start because you feared making mistakes, this is a reminder that getting something on paper is always better than waiting for perfection.

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 podcast we cover:

• When a lack of urgency hurts you.
• How you can act with urgency.
• What urgency is.

In this episode, I share why urgency is the missing ingredient on so many projects. I talk about real examples where a lack of urgency caused massive delays in preconstruction, commissioning, and trade partner planning, and how acting early made all the difference. I explain why problems like missing materials, supply chain interruptions, or late permits often do not come from broken systems but from waiting too long to take action. Urgency is not about pushing people harder; it is about pushing with planning and getting ahead of issues before they surface. If you want smoother projects, reliable flow, and less firefighting, this episode will show you why urgency is non-negotiable.

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 podcast we cover:

• The worry that workers hide in nice bathrooms.
• Why it is not a real concern.
• A challenge for bathrooms on site.

In this episode, I share why providing workers with great bathrooms is one of the most overlooked ways to build respect on a project. I talk about my own experiences creating permanent and trailer-based bathrooms on jobsites, the appreciation from workers, and the pushback I often hear from other leaders. I challenge the false idea that workers will waste time in bathrooms and explain why this mindset reflects a lack of respect for people. Workers are not resources. They are human beings who deserve dignity, and simple things like clean bathrooms with good setups can transform culture. By the end of this episode, you will see why investing in this small detail is a powerful act of leadership.

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 podcast we cover:

• The origin of the term.
• What it means.
• Why it happens.
• Why it's bad for everyone.

In this episode, I dive into the concept of sandbagging, where it comes from, and why it shows up so often in construction projects. I share the origins of the term, explain how it plays out on jobsites, and explore the real costs it creates for both general contractors and trade partners. From wasted time and higher overhead to supply chain misalignment, sandbagging always leads to inefficiency. Most importantly, I explain how sandbagging is not just about scheduling but about trust and leadership. By building a culture of honesty and creating realistic plans, leaders can eliminate the conditions that cause sandbagging and set projects up for success.

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 podcast we cover:

• A question given to me.
• How someone can do hard things.
• Why everyone needs a mentor and companion.

In this blog I share a concept that I call the power of mentors and companions. Through personal stories from my own life, asking my wife to marry me, starting a business, having difficult conversations, and stepping into public speaking, I explain how the blend of mentorship and companionship makes hard things possible. If you are facing a challenge that feels overwhelming, this approach can give you the strength and confidence to take your next step.

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 podcast we cover:

• If implementing lean halfway through is possible.

In this episode, I talk about the myth that lean only works if you start from day one. I share stories from my own experience where we implemented lean halfway through projects and still saw remarkable results. From better communication to improved flow and even early finishes, I explain why waiting is the real danger. If you are in the middle of a project, this message is a reminder that now is always the right time to start improving.

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