Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder

In this episode, Harry Schmidt, director of business strategy for O'Shea Builders, brings up a book titled The 5,000 Year Leap: A Miracle that Changed the World, which is about how framers built The Constitution of the United States. Hoots compares this to the CDC's socio-ecological model on how to prevent disease spread. Both concepts are compared to how the construction industry develops individual, team, organizational, and industry capabilities.

To change the outcomes, you must change yourself, look at yourself first, and get your own house in order:

• Mother Theresa said, "If you want to change the world, go home and love your family!"
• Patrick Lencioni's ideal team player gets to this point as well in much of his text.

There are some great one liners to consider in this episode:

• It is human nature to want to matter.
• The culture is defined as the worst behavior that a leader is willing to accept.
• What's right over who's right!
• You teach what you accept!
• Hungry, humble, smart approach.

Listen in on this free-ranging chat on how to develop capabilities for yourself and your team.

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
• https://www.amazon.com/5000-Year-Leap-Cleon-Skousen/dp/0880801484 | The 5,000 Year Leap
• https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Socio-ecological-model-framework-for-prevention-centers-for-disease-control-Available_fig1_318840832 | Socioecological model

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
• Harry Schmidt | https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-schmidt/ | director of business strategy, O'Shea Builders

Tune into this episode as L.R. (Lee, Leandris) informs the Lean Builder Nation who he is and where he got his initials from! Working with Layton Construction, a national healthcare builder, LR helps us to understand how he is incorporating lean principles throughout project sites. New in the role, but not to Lean he has been practicing since 2014.

Lee clearly understands people as he advocates for young professional to join the construction industry. His push to get the word out about construction careers is second to none, as he states we are doing better but still have a lot of work to do from a diversity, equality, and inclusion perspective. The industry must become more intentional to solve this challenge.

LR drops his Japanese knowledge of Toyota, gemba, and other key words that are not fully understood in the construction world yet! In addition, LR shares four of his favorite lean books that can get anyone fired up and on their journey.

He calls himself a novice, but he is NO NOVICE! The best lean leaders will always refer to themselves in this manner as they continuously sponge learn everything around them. LR demonstrates his lean leadership with his 'Brother, you're on my mind' reference. He lives this motto too, Hoots can attest.

A real pleasure learning from one of the best in lean construction! Thank you LR!

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

• Josh Kreitler | https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-kreitler-40850423/

In this episode, Hoots discovers who Josh Kreitler is! Graduating college during a recession in 2009 led Josh to work for an aerospace manufacturing machine shop. Josh takes us through his lean journey starting with manufacturing and taking advantage of these concepts once he had the opportunity to run his own project!

Josh tells us about his role with McCarthy Building Companies and all of the amazing lean tools that he is using on his mega lab project in St. Louis. Some of these tools consist of Scrum, Last Planner System, Roadblock tracking maps, Big Rooms, daily huddles, visual communications, and many others!

Hoots and Josh rave on Jason Schroeder and his authoring of several industry changing books! A word to Jason of please take care of yourself and put your oxygen mask on before you help others with their mask!

What phrase bothers Josh?! He tells the story of cutting the ends off the ham while learning how to make Thanksgiving dinner! Tune in to find out more!!

Like a true leader, Josh shines the light on several people who have influenced his career and influenced him to get to where he is on his lean journey! Including people, he is currently working with that are McCarthy employees but also and most important he calls out his trade partners because that is what lean builders do!! True leaders take all the blame and none of the credit while raising everyone around them!

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
• Josh Kreitler | https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-kreitler-40850423/

In this episode, Hoots and Key review one of the many principles in Jason Schroeder's book Elevating Construction Superintendents. This principle is on personal organization and time management. Time management is an oxymoron. You cannot manage time; you can only manage yourself within the time that has been allotted. Time will go on with or without you!

You have to plan your week in order to maximize production! You cannot come into the office on Monday morning and start reading through email first thing! In addition, you must have a good note taking process! There are too many commitments made in meetings for one to remember.

Keyan references a book called 'Eat That Frog!" This comes from the Mark Twain saying that says 'If you eat a frog first thing every morning, that is likely the worst thing that'll happen to you all day!

Are your people aware of what is urgent and important or are they prioritizing their tasks based on the seniority of the person giving them the task? Have you started time blocking and/or time boxing?! If not, you must read Jason's book on how to make sure you're blocking out the right things and then timing yourself as you're completing these tasks.

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
• elevateconstructionist.com | Elevating Construction website
• https://www.amazon.com/Elevating-Construction-Superintendents-Principle-Leadership/dp/B08VJJZN8B/ref=sr_1_1?crid=27FXKMVZIR5N9&keywords=elevating+construction+superintendents&qid=1658850123&sprefix=elevating+construction%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-1 | Elevating Construction Superintendents Book
• https://youtu.be/SqGRnlXplx0 | Fill the Jar YouTube video
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonschroederelevatingconstruction/ | Jason Schroeder LinkedIn
• https://www.amazon.com/Eat-That-Frog-Important-Things/dp/1444765426/ref=asc_df_1444765426/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=343221129243&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9392580069778750366&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010653&hvtargid=pla-524984779320&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=67797265863&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=343221129243&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9392580069778750366&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010653&hvtargid=pla-524984779320 | Eat That Frog!

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
• Keyan Zandy | https://www.linkedin.com/in/keyanzandy/

In this episode, Hoots on The Ground grills Felipe Engineer-Manriquez on Scrum. Felipe does an excellent job helping The Lean Builder Nation understand what Scrum is and how to apply. Felipe dives into his recently released book titled Construction Scrum, and we give that a quick review. We discuss a few of the stories at the beginning of the book and then discuss the Scrum Guide by JJ Southerland.

Only about half the time is spent discussing Felipe's favorite subject of Scrum. The other half we get to know Felipe on a deeper level. He has recently changed careers and is now working with Boldt, one of the original Lean Construction companies. He tells us all about the onboarding process and discussed the luxuries and challenges of merging his Lean Construction experience with what they're already doing at Boldt.

Felipe dives into exactly why he considers himself a Lean Builder and how you can get a hold of him for Scrum Training or anything else that you may need when it comes to making things easier, better, and faster for construction! He also drops a couple of exclusives on what his favorite outdoor activity is AND what he is currently learning. Tune in to better understand who Felipe Engineer-Manriquez is!!

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
• https://www.scrum.org/resources/scrum-guide?gclid=CjwKCAjwrNmWBhA4EiwAHbjEQN3KqNl8OMtTjuaivesVbQNo-xKNzRKmu07xI-OpMuSRdgF57uN2whoCFrIQAvD_BwE | The Scrum Guide
• https://constructionscrum.com/ | Construction Scrum Book
• https://www.theebfcshow.com/ | The EBFC Show Podcast
• https://www.leantakt.com | Lean Takt Jason Schroeder

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Adam Hoots | com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for "Hoots on the Ground" and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions
• Felipe Engineer-Manriquez | https://thefelipe.bio.link/

'Respect for People' has become a cliché within the construction industry. Everyone is talking about it but few people are actually practicing true respect for people. In this episode, Hoots flirts with the idea of the term Respect for Resources with Respect for People being one of the many categories of Respect necessary for a productive project site. Hoots runs through each of these categories with real life job site examples. Those categories are as follows:

• Respect for People
  • Engaging with all trade workers we walk by
  • Ask open ended, inquisitive questions
  • Listen with the intent to understand
• Respect for Materials
  • Don't damage other's materials
  • Don't install work that prohibits or makes others work more complex
  • Only bring what you need to the project site
• Respect for Logistics
  • Proper dumpster / temp toilet locations
  • Construction Entrance taken care of to avoid mud on public roadways
  • Fence taken care of – fabric tight, erosion control well maintained, etc.
  • Traffic flow on project site
• Respect for Equipment
  • Lifts clear of debris
  • Lifts charged
  • Ladders properly stored
• Respect for Tools
  • Trade workers are often known for taking well care of their tools
  • Hand tools and drills in their respective places at the end of day
  • Extension cords rolled up and/or off floor

When you have respect for all of the above items, then we will have a total respect for people. Hoots goes through and helps the listener make connections on how respecting materials, equipment, tools, and logistics ultimately drives respect for people!

Hoots offers a challenge to the industry to start thinking deeper than simply respect for people. We must start respecting ALL resources that are being made available to us, starting with people! Teaching the capability to utilize the art of questioning, while discovering how to use open ended inquisitive questions to get front line workers thinking! This is what lean builders do!

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
• linkedin.com/company/the-lean-builder | Our LinkedIn community
• https://theleanbuilder.com/episode-8-hoots-solo-on-trust/ | The Lean Builder Hoots Solo on Trust
• https://theleanbuilder.com/episode-12-how-to-create-maintain-and-measure-trust-on-the-project-site/ | How to create, maintain, and measure trust on project sites
• https://theleanbuilder.com/episode-17-life-is-a-loom-respect-for-resources-featuring-sean-graystone/ | The Lean Builder HotG Feat. Sean Graystone Respect for Resources

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

This is a new segment that we are coming to you with via the inspiration from Harry Schmidt with O'shea Builders! R&D (Rip & Deploy). Join us on the first episode as The Lean Builder's Keyan Zandy breaks down the communication styles between generations and how this can affect how we delegate tasks or activities. He describes how each generation communicates the best. He also breaks down what the 5 levels of delegation are as described in the book, CEO Tools.

Keyan uses one of Hoots on the Ground's favorite phrases, "What got you here, won't get you there!" Another Buddyism nugget of knowledge is brought to the table by Keyan when he says, "It only takes one Oh Crap! To wipe out 10 attaboys!"

These should be talked about and as tasks are assigned on a project site, the statement should be made that this is a level 2 delegation. Keyan provides some fantastic real-life examples as he delegates certain tasks on a construction site to Hoots! With each increase in level, we are empowering our people to think more often! The 5 levels of delegation are as follows:

Level 1: Do as I say! This means do exactly as I have asked you to do.

Level 2: Research and Report. This means gather some insight and report to me what you discover before we make a decision.

Level 3: Research and Recommend. This tells us to take the lead on doing the research, think about the answer, and recommend a solution. Provide pros and cons of the decision.

Level 4: Decide and Inform. This level of delegation means that you are taking the lead on all of levels above and apply the solution then inform me as the leader.

Level 5: Act Independently. Take the lead and make the decision. Do not report back, I fully trust you are implementing the best decision possible.

It is important as a leader, that we review the balance of our types of delegation that we do most often. Why is it that we constantly use level 1 delegations? Do we trust our people's capability? Tune in as we discuss all of this and more!!

During this recording there were several other future R&D opportunities identified:

John Gottman – How many attaboys are taken away by one oh crap?!

Leadership and Self Deception – How to look internal before looking external!

Turning the Ship Around – David Marquette – Riding the brake, not the gas!

Extreme Ownership – Jocko Willink

Keyan's Eisenhower Matrix personal PPC Example

Future blog on the 5 levels of trust

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
• linkedin.com/company/the-lean-builder | Our LinkedIn community

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
• Keyan Zandy | https://www.linkedin.com/in/keyanzandy/ | CEO, Skiles Group and Principal, The Lean Builder

In this episode, we get to meet a great Holt Construction project team working at the DFW Airport. Sarah tells us about how she started early on working with her grandfather out of Louisiana. We learn more about Armando's story coming through construction from a laborer to a General Superintendent.

Armando asks Hoots a great question on what the deal is with the bullshido of the word culture!? Hoots responds with exactly why that word bothers him and why the word is Bullshido! Surprise, Hoots loves the word culture as it's truly understood and valuing from EVERYONE'S perspective.

Armando and Sarah have a great working relationship and they love to build each other up and pat one another on the back! Listen in as Hoots on the Ground interrogates what bugs each of them about one another! Hoots calls out the Bullshido lovefest and tries to get to the root of what putting teams like this together looks like.

Armando touches on the three types of waste and leader standard work as he shouts out Jake Harrell for visiting his project site and offering an outsider's lean opinion on his operation. Jake taught Armando about the three types of waste and how they apply even inside of the office as the staff shares responsibilities:

• Muri – Overburdened
• Mura – Unevenness
• Muda – Waste. Uselessness

They introduce us to Brian the Superintendent of the Iron working trade, which is the home screen on Armando's phone. Watch the YouTube version to see the photo of Brian being angry with a job cleaning shutdown! The photo is classic!

These two have a great working relationship and they've been able to unite their team by building trust with the project team inside AND outside the gate. The relationship investment is real and they're able to dive into the details and understand people at a deeper level.

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
• linkedin.com/company/the-lean-builder | Our LinkedIn community
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeharrellchasingexcellence/ | Jake Harrell

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
• Armando Tunales | https://www.linkedin.com/in/armando-tunales-2380531a8/
• Sarah Gomez | https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-sumrall-gomez-35728a31/

Hear Davie dive right in with no introduction needed as he talks about his growing up in Scotland and how he was a polished turd when it comes to skilled trade wood working and/or metal work! Experience with building a cassette tape rack and bottle opener key ring! A great story about his interview going into the trades and witnessing what others were doing at the same time! A humbling experience.

The basics of lean are three simple things for Davie Thomson:

1. Strategic Alignment – Know what you're going to do, how it's going to be cascaded and involve the people in the process.
2. Appropriate tools – Only bring the tools that the project needs. There is no need to force tools just to claim doing lean.
3. People Engagement, give people the training, empowerment, and permission to use the tools to deliver strategic goals. It's ok to fail early and often! Failure is learning.

There is only ONE WASTE according to Davie – That is a waste of time. If you are operating in any of the muda (8 wastes) drives to the same waste of time.

Davie tells us exactly where the term No Bullshido comes from. Quick hint, it's all of the western misinterpretation of martial arts and/or Japanese concepts. Even lean can be classified as bullshido to a point because people have classified it as a bunch of tools. Sound familiar construction world?

Discover where the term lean comes from, a couple of MIT grads who decided to coin the term in 1988. Davie discusses his stance on lean six sigma and the belt structures that are out there. They really mean nothing other than the ability to perform but it is the experience that ultimately counts and qualifies you for performance!

Learn how Hoots on the Ground crossed swords with Davie early on LinkedIn as they went back and forth on an improvement video. After Hoots thought that Davie was trolling him, Hoots requested a video meeting to better understand where Davie was coming from. Turns out after a half a dozen calls or more, Davie has taught Hoots a lot about true lean from Davie's own experience.

Davie has a great way of talking about lean as being more than tools. Once again, another lean practitioner (from a different industry) explaining how important the people are with regards to successful lean implementation! He also discusses the difference between the types of work that lean considers:

• Value added
• Non-Value added but unavoidable
• Non-Value added and avoidable

This is a concept that Hoots on the Ground took from a book titled Lean Thinking by Daniel Womack and others.

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
• linkedin.com/company/the-lean-builder | Our LinkedIn community
• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/standards-discipline-doing-right-things-davie-thomson/ | Standards and Discipline – Doing the right things, right by Davie Thomson
• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/belts-bullshido-davie-thomson/ | The Belts of Bullshido by Davie Thomson

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
• Davie Thomson | https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviethomson/
• Davie's Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we discover and celebrate who Buddy Brumley really is!

Buddy is the ideal lean builder who has witnessed various ways of delivering work and has settled on a lean mindset and approach to the construction industry. Hear Buddy talk about the transition of the industry over the course of his career. As an employee for Skiles Group, Buddy is one of the Original Lean Builders and a true inspiration to the industry!

Buddy delivers this podcast from his jobsite office, as the mud was drying on the walls! There is a little bit of jobsite noise at Hoots' request! Buddy offered to do the podcast in his truck, but Hoots insisted on the real job site noise. There is something about those noises that complete this podcast.

Buddy teaches the Lean Builder nation his philosophy on tracking what work has been installed vs. what work has not been installed and when to flip to a rolling completion list.

Hear about the Old school Buddy and how and why his wife coined the term Crap 'n' Oh Crap cards! This was his tracking mechanism before utilizing the visual roadblock management tool! Now utilizing lean builder tools for most of the things he's doing, his projects are succeeding, and the work has become easier on him and those around him.

An amazing episode with some fantastic advice sprinkled throughout…

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
• linkedin.com/company/the-lean-builder | Our LinkedIn community

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
• Buddy Brumley | https://www.linkedin.com/in/buddy-brumley-704b1454/