In this podcast we cover:

• Things people say about being tough in construction.
• Why we need to be more accepting.

In this episode, I sit down with Brandon Montero in Guadalajara, Mexico to have an honest conversation about the culture of toughness in construction. Brandon shares a powerful story about someone being told to "grow thicker skin or get out" after showing emotion in a meeting and we dive deep into why that mindset is broken. Together we explore the dangerous sayings that have been normalized on job sites like "real men don't cry" or "suck it up," and we talk about how these toxic ideas tear people down instead of building them up.

We also reflect on what true leadership looks like: creating environments where people are protected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. Brandon highlights the role of vulnerability as real strength, and I share how looking back on my career, it was the one tool I needed most. From A Few Good Men to real-life construction stories, this episode is about redefining what toughness means and challenging leaders to replace outdated bravado with empathy, inclusion, and authenticity.

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