Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder

Hoots and Jennifer dive into a plethora of topics starting with who Jen is, and what this term Ripples of Impact is all about. Hoots helps Jen understand how famous she is and gets to withdraw some never-heard facts about Ms. Jen. As Hoots and Jen speak twice a week, early in the mornings, he can uncover some hidden gems.

All of this on a day that Jennifer was going to be recognized with her high school volleyball team and as she puts it was having an emotional week. Jen has a tremendous impact on the construction industry.

Jen tells us about her humble upbringing, not having much and truly valuing people. People is a clear theme as this podcast progresses and Jen refers to herself as the bridge between people and process.

With a surprise appearance from Jesse Hernandez, Jennifer gets hit with some deep questioning. Watch Jen squirm as she talks about some of the challenges that she faces daily! Asking questions, doesn't mean that we already know the answer. It's ok to find the answer together! Jen talks about being grateful for having people around her that will call her out.

Trust, humility, and faith are the three things that Jen focuses on daily. It all started with her high school volleyball team, and it transcends into her daily life today! A fantastic podcast celebrating an amazing human being!! Be the sunshine, just like Jen!

ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:

The Lean Builder's absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who "get it": the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

· www.theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

· Adam Hoots | www.linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for "Hoots on the Ground" and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions

· Jennifer Lacy | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlacy/

In this episode, Hoots shows off his relationship with Rob VanCott, who happens to be one of the first clients that Hoots on the Ground coached back in 2021! Rob started as a maintenance worker while attending classes at the University of Hartford. He fell in love with the skills that all his peers were developing and decided to chase that dream. For the record, Rob wore his #NoBullshido shirt out of respect for the show. This shirt was given to him scaffold skilled trade professionals. Hoots is going to need one of those Rob!

Rob leads by example as he makes the person in front of him the most important person on the earth at that time. A super curious man, he's always been enthralled with being a builder. He has a natural curiosity that is fed daily being in the field. He remembers a saying that owners will forget minor cost overruns and schedule delays, but they'll never forget about a project because of poor quality.

As a Giants fan, Rob was excited as his football team had advanced, unfortunately at the timing of the release of this podcast, the Giants have been retired for the season! As Rob says, you cannot control everything around you, and it's taken him a while to learn that. A couple of quick liners, "A little bit of fear is a good thing!" "I was a part of that building!"

Making sure he is a good father is what makes him tick! "Get up every day and put your best foot forward", and "That's why you call it the present, it's a gift!". Hoots dives into two of his favorite sayings, Felipe noted earlier in the week that FAIL is an acronym for First Attempt in Learning and Jesse's Control is an illusion! Rob is a big fan of 5S and has been able to use this concept on all his projects.

ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:

The Lean Builder's absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who "get it": the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Adam Hoots | linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for "Hoots on the Ground" and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions
• Rob VanCott | https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertvancott/

In this episode, Hoots reviews another way to develop capabilities! Through radical candor feedback, teams can deliver feedback that is honest, kind, clear, and concise. Radical Candor feedback comes from a place of caring personally about a human being and challenging that human being directly. In this episode, Hoots reviews one of his favorite books called Radical Candor: How to be a kick ass boss by Kim Scott. Hoots raves about this book and her blog!

Feedback can be both hard to give and hard to receive. From birth, we have been told 'if we don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all.' This is total Bullshido and needs to be rethought. If we don't have something nice to say, ask yourself if it is constructive and if you care personally about the person that you are referring to, if both answers are yes then share the feedback! The other comment we've been taught our entire life is to 'be professional.' Somehow, that means leaving your feelings at home and don't care about people. This also couldn't be further from the truth.

Hoots suggests analyzing your relationships to help yourself understand where you are from a feedback standpoint for those who mean the most to you. We have to change our views on feedback to make sure that feedback is actionable. That is good feedback that helps us to learn and adjust moving forward! That is being lean! That is what being a lean builder is all about!

ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:

The Lean Builder's absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who "get it": the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Adam Hoots | linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for "Hoots on the Ground" and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions

In this episode, Hoots interviews Mr. Ray Terry who is 71 years young, going on 40, and super passionate about putting tools in schools. Through Ray's organization *Put Tools in Schools*, he has been to 10 high schools and spoke with over 5,000 students this year. That is 33% of the high schools in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Area.

Ray is not afraid to step on toes and spread his beliefs and message. As a radio host for Fox Sports Charlotte, Ray is a natural on the microphone and knows how to push the limits! Completely worth a listen as Ray explains the issues that society has in encouraging young people to go to college and not better understand the trades.

Ray gives his blueprint on how he is putting tools in schools and introducing young people to their happy (their IKIGAI!)!! Ray expresses lots of discontent with his journey in visiting the school systems throughout the Charlotte area of North Carolina. Ray is truly making a difference in the construction labor workforce shortage by spreading the word and getting in front of young people to introduce them to their purpose for being on this earth.

Happy will give you what you want. Find your happy! If you need help, call Ray! His phone number is on his website: https://www.aboutyourhouseradio.com/

ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:

The Lean Builder's absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who "get it": the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Adam Hoots | linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for "Hoots on the Ground" and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions
• Ray Terry | https://www.aboutyourhouseradio.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-terry-13772616/

Tune into this first episode of the second season! Hoots highlights one of his lean heroes, Niklas Modig! The author of This is Lean who coached Hoots when he was with DPR Construction. Niklas helped Hoots understand the story of the Toyota dealership that won the award of Role Model of the Year. This company went from being one of the worst performing dealerships (#287) to the best performing company as judged by Toyota. Niklas had the opportunity to interview the young CEO of the company that made the four year profound change. The CEO informed Niklas that this was a 4-step process and he proceeded to outline the process on the dry-erase board.

Step1 = Everyone gets the same training.

Step2 = Everyone begins to see the work through the same lens.

Step 3 = Everyone begins to suggest improvements for the work

Step 4 = Everyone begins to implement the suggested improvements

This process pushes form but then allows the information to be pulled from those who are closest to the work. This is a great example of how to push form and pull content. Whether you are doing team health assessments, trust circles, player cards or other ways of pushing form, always ensure you're pulling the content! We do this by asking open ended and inquisitive questions to flip the switch between being a teacher and a learner.

We must allow for variation to happen. By pulling content from the front lines, we are able to discuss and improve the things that actually matter. Maybe we will challenge Niklas Modig to come on to the show and share some efficiency paradox learnings with us!

ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:

The Lean Builder's absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who "get it": the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Adam Hoots | linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for "Hoots on the Ground" and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions
• Niklas Modig | https://www.linkedin.com/in/niklas-modig-bb9947/

In this episode, Hoots discovers and introduces the lean builder nation to Justin Uyar, of Shelco Contractors out of Charlotte, NC. Justin is a newlywed, and super proud of his new wife who is a vet technician! Somehow Justin ended up going to Clemson yet is a Carolina Gamecock fan. If you're from the southeast, this is a big sin!

Justin started on the route to becoming a civil engineer. After spending a few years on the office side of construction, he made the shift to a Superintendent and hasn't ever looked back. In fact, one of his old bosses is still waiting for Justin to come back from the field! Justin has been a part of a build with the largest building in Charlotte, the Bank of America building! This building is visible when watching the Carolina Panthers.

Hoots admires Justin for this thinking ability and his question game. Justin dives into exactly how his experience has helped him to well round his questions. You can tell through this interview that Justin thinks different and is bringing a new mentality to the construction industry. He is making a difference on his projects and challenges you to do the same on yours!

Justin talks about his second project in the industry when he was asked to do the impossible and split two offices into 4 offices. With a cool and calm manner, Justin and the team made this happen while exceeding the expectations of his client! All around, Justin is a stand-up person who is spreading love and team building throughout the construction industry.

Justin ends with his message to the world of "Don't let the message get lost in the way you deliver it!" He sums it up by saying don't serve me a perfectly good steak on an old dirty trash can lid, because he is not going to eat it!!

ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:

The Lean Builder's absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who "get it": the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Adam Hoots | linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for "Hoots on the Ground" and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions
• Justin Uyar | https:/Infor/www.linkedin.com/in/justinuyar/

Matt Olshefski shares his 26th wedding anniversary with Adam Hoots on this episode of The Lean Builder's Hoots on the Ground with No Bullshido! He dives into the story of meeting his wonderful bride in the parking lot! Matt mentions trust as being important to maintain a relationship for 26 years!

Matt started his lean journey as a laborer on a construction site and has progressed to his current role as a Superintendent with O&G Industries and even discusses his future role as a lean champion! He dives into a story from his journey into curiosity which helped him graduate to the next level. Listening to the workers, having patience, and be curious all helped Matt to discover how to be a Superintendent.

Speaking even louder and closer to Hoots' heart, Matt is a living kidney donor! It doesn't take much to see if you qualify to donate a kidney to someone (like Hoots!) in need! Matt jokes that after that process you're cleared to become an astronaut! Matt talks about how that led to donating and volunteering with the local fire department after a major hurricane event! Recipient of Firefighter of the Year for his efforts, he is just a good dude that gives repeatedly!

Matt compares his duties as a firefighter to his duties as a Superintendent. He discusses how to analyze a situation before running in and firing of solutions. All about training, muscle memory and making sure you're safe then others. Safety being the upmost in each of the professions.

Huge shoutouts to Ryan Popp, lean consultant with ASKM Associates as Matt discusses his resistance to lean when he first started. Not wanting to do simulations and "additional work", he turned away the daily huddle and the boards on the wall. Finally, Ryan was able to convert him into the amazing lean builder that he is today! Matt is able to talk about "That Magic Moment, when it all clicked and the team came together!" An episode worth tuning in for!

ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:

The Lean Builder's absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who "get it": the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Adam Hoots | linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for "Hoots on the Ground" and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions
• Matt Olshefski | https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-olshefski-45921756/
• Ryan Popp | https://www.linkedin.com/in/popp/

In this episode, Hoots on the Ground discusses the comfort zone! Hoots runs through why the comfort zone is important and how we need to move through our fear zone and into the learning and growth zone. Hoots shows off some of the famous illustrator Jennifer Lacy's work.

Be comfortable being uncomfortable! Hoots explains some of the awkward moment in his personal life! For instance, have you ever been on an elevator and experienced the awkward silence?! Not with Hoots! You better be ready for a dad joke or something silly to break up that moment. Seek those awkward moments because growth is taking place!

Tune in to hear Rafa and Andrew with Bosch Refine My Site crash this recording with a random phone call as Hoots was recording – AND Hoots answered!! Hear some of the convo live in this podcast!

Hoots dives into what good stress is and helps to breakdown the Yerkes and Dodson law as he shows some diagrams on this vodcast! This is also known as the Goldilocks rule meaning not too much stress, not too little stress, but just enough to keep someone's attention!

Hoots closes the podcast out with a challenge to the Lean Builder Nation to go out and be comfortable being uncomfortable. Hoots even offers a few ways to go out and practice getting outside your comfort zone today!

ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:

The Lean Builder's absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who "get it": the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Adam Hoots | linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for "Hoots on the Ground" and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions
• No BS with Jen & Jess | https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-bs-with-jen-jess/

In this episode, Hoots on the Ground interviews George Hunt who is on a project site in North Carolina. George dives into his curious self, insert Curious George joke here! He tells us about his family's Christmas tree farm where he worked until high school. The conversation was brilliant as George enlightens us throughout this entire episode!

Sir George breaks down what he learned from the 2022 LCI Congress and helps the lean builder nation understand how he is helping to improve the construction industry. George speaks on the shift that the industry is currently making and the progress that he has witnessed over his career. He tells us how lean benefits everyone from the owner to the trade worker!

Sir George tossed out some of the best advice on how to get started with lean. George tosses out there, start with yourself! Once you get yourself in order, then you can start working with others to improve! Sir George breaks down exactly what a lean builder is. A lean builder is one who approaches their work with a sense of respect for people and seeks and achieves improvement every day.

George reminds us of Colin Milberg's famous quote, "Variation is the root of all evil" George goes on to discuss what true respect for people means and how the lean construction world has not adopted the correct definition of respect for people.

George challenges the industry to get out and ask questions to be able to learn from one another! That is the only thing that will propel the construction industry forward! Learn something from someone today!

Whatever you do, don't tell George to "Prove it" or to "Show me!" George closes the podcast with the sage advice of those who are doing it, keep doing it and those who are not, figure out how you become a change agent to make this industry a better place! Be the change that you want to see!

ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:

The Lean Builder's absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who "get it": the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• www.theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Adam Hoots | www.linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for "Hoots on the Ground" and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions

• George Hunt | https://www.linkedin.com/in/huntg/

In this episode, Hoots on the Ground interviews Kevin Rice, Chief Operating Officer for Elevate Construction and discovers a laborer that went from ripping out flooring, to placing concrete, and eventually managing work for a General Contractor. Currently he is coaching construction teams on takt planning nationwide and in Canada!

Hoots and Kevin took part in Elevate Construction's field engineer boot camp, where we assisted teams in surveying, excavating, laying out, forming, and placing concrete. This was a true immersive learning experience as we bared the freezing conditions in Phoenix, AZ!

Kevin talks about some of his memories as coming up through the trades. He challenges the audience to think about what is the rock in your life that you just must put your head down and move!? Find the piles of rock in your life, and deal with them!!

Kevin successfully predicts the World Series champion, Houston Astros and sports his 6+4+3=2 shirt! Kevin encourages young people to get into the trades and try to learn something to advance and develop a career in construction. An all around amazing human being making the construction industry better through coaching and helping teams takt plan.

ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:

The Lean Builder's absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who "get it": the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Adam Hoots | linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for "Hoots on the Ground" and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions
• Kevin Rice | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-rice/