Advertise on podcast: Elevate Construction

PPE should be the last line of defense not the reason people feel safe taking unnecessary risks. In this episode, Jason explains why workers should wear PPE with absolute discipline while leaders simultaneously design the job site as if that PPE did not exist. Jason reflects on what he has observed in Japan, where many hazards are engineered out at the source, and challenges construction teams to combine that mindset with strict PPE standards. The goal is to remove the hazard whenever possible while still maintaining full protection. What you'll learn in this episode: Why PPE should never become an excuse for careless behavior. How engineering hazards out at the source can create safer work environments. Why Jason advocates for 100% PPE compliance on U.S. job sites. How to design work areas as if workers had no PPE protecting them. Why combining prevention with disciplined PPE use creates a stronger safety system. Are you relying on PPE to protect people or designing the work so the hazard is removed before PPE is ever needed?   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

Being busy with something urgent does not mean you are working on what actually matters. In this episode, Jason explains why strong construction leaders must develop the ability to distinguish between distractions, urgent noise, bottlenecks, constraints, and the truly critical work that drives the project forward. Jason also explains why great leaders do more than react to today's biggest problem. They build the systems, training, visuals, research, and support structures ahead of time so the team is prepared before critical work becomes urgent. What you'll learn in this episode: Why urgent work is not always the most important work. How bottlenecks and constraints should guide your priorities. Why checking priorities with your team or supervisor can prevent wasted effort. How proactive systems and preparation keep leaders from constantly reacting. Why staying focused on critical work is one of the most valuable construction leadership skills. Are you working on what is truly critical or pole vaulting over problems that barely matter?   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

Working hard and feeling successful does not always mean your performance is actually where it needs to be. In this episode, Jason explores the danger of grading yourself against the wrong standard and why someone can genuinely believe they are doing an amazing job while still performing below the level the role requires. Jason explains why strong training, clear standards, honest self-assessment, and outside feedback are critical for growth. The goal is not to become arrogant or overly critical, but to make sure you are measuring yourself against the right bar and focusing on actual results. What you'll learn in this episode: Why effort and a positive attitude do not automatically equal strong performance. How low standards can create a false sense of success. Why honest self-assessment and peer comparison can improve awareness. How strong training and standards should still leave room for continuous improvement. Why results matter when evaluating whether you are truly performing at the right level. Are you actually performing at a high level or just doing well against a bar that is set too low?   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

Calling something a "zone" does not make it a zone. In this episode, Jason explains the critical difference between zones, areas, and phases in Takt planning and why confusing them can affect production rhythm, sequencing, pull planning, and even supply chain alignment. Jason shares practical tests for identifying each one. Zones must be leveled by work density and serve as the production unit, phases contain their own unique zones and trade sequences, and areas are primarily used to organize and view the production plan. What you'll learn in this episode: Why zones must be leveled according to work density. How to tell whether a geographical breakdown is actually a phase or an area. Why zones can change while phases create a larger production structure. How phases connect to pull planning, look-ahead planning, and pre-construction meetings. Why getting these definitions right affects production flow and supply chain alignment. Are you truly creating production zones or simply labeling large areas of the project as zones?   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

It's easy to compare your worst moments to someone else's best ones. In this episode, Jason pulls back the curtain and shares the side of himself. People rarely see the mistakes, flaws, difficult tendencies, and failures that exist alongside everything he teaches and builds. His point is not self-pity; it is perspective: nobody has everything figured out. Jason reflects on mistakes he has made as a young builder, son, parent, husband, leader, and business owner, while explaining why transparency can sometimes teach us more than polished perfection ever could. What you'll learn in this episode: Why comparing your struggles to someone else's highlights creates a distorted picture. How transparency can make leadership more relatable and useful. Why strong professional performance does not mean someone has every area of life figured out. How self-awareness helps expose controlling, defensive, and unhealthy tendencies. Why accepting imperfection does not remove the responsibility to keep improving. Are you judging yourself against someone else's best moments while ignoring the parts of their life you never get to see?   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 It's easy to compare your worst moments to someone else's best ones. In this episode, Jason pulls back the curtain and shares the side of himself. People rarely see the mistakes, flaws, difficult tendencies, and failures that exist alongside everything he teaches and builds. His point is not self-pity; it is perspective: nobody has everything figured out. Jason reflects on mistakes he has made as a young builder, son, parent, husband, leader, and business owner, while explaining why transparency can sometimes teach us more than polished perfection ever could. What you'll learn in this episode: Why comparing your struggles to someone else's highlights creates a distorted picture. How transparency can make leadership more relatable and useful. Why strong professional performance does not mean someone has every area of life figured out. How self-awareness helps expose controlling, defensive, and unhealthy tendencies. Why accepting imperfection does not remove the responsibility to keep improving. Are you judging yourself against someone else's best moments while ignoring the parts of their life you never get to see?   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

Feeling organized should not require staying late every day. In this episode, Jason explains how to stay ahead of your work without letting it consume your life by creating quiet planning time, reducing commitments, and focusing only on what truly needs your attention. Jason shares how early focused work, the Eisenhower Matrix, delegation, automation, strong to-do systems, and one-piece flow can help leaders reduce mental overload and finish the day feeling ahead instead of constantly catching up. What you'll learn in this episode: Why quiet, focused time early in the day can dramatically improve productivity. How saying no, delegating, and eliminating unnecessary work creates more capacity. Why the Eisenhower Matrix can help you focus on what actually matters. How one-piece flow reduces distraction and the stress of doing too many things at once. Why trusted systems, calendars, automation, and to-do lists help you leave work without carrying it home. Are you staying late because there is too much work or because your system is still asking you to carry too much at once?   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

Being busy on a computer does not always mean real work is getting done. In this episode, Jason challenges the construction industry's dependence on screens and asks whether project teams are spending too much time behind computers instead of leading, observing, solving problems, and being present where the work actually happens. Jason shares how recent personal and professional experiences reinforced the importance of being fully present. He explains why computers should support the work not replace real conversations, field leadership, visual planning, and going to the Gemba. What you'll learn in this episode: Why being active on a computer can create the illusion of productivity. How excessive screen time can disconnect leaders from real project conditions. Why project teams need more face-to-face conversations and field observation. How computers should support systems instead of becoming the system. Why going to the Gemba remains essential for effective construction leadership. Are your computers helping you lead the work or keeping you away from where the real work is happening?   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

You can't optimize something that doesn't exist yet. In this episode, Jason explains why teams need to separate the invention phase from the optimization phase and why trying to perfect or standardize an idea too early can actually prevent progress. Jason shares how this principle shows up in Lean Logistics, Super PM Bootcamp, and construction operations: first create something that works, experiment with it, prove the process, and only then turn it into standard work and begin improving it. What you'll learn in this episode: Why invention and optimization require two different mindsets. How premature standardization can lock a process into an immature version. Why getting something working comes before trying to perfect it. How standard work creates a foundation for continuous improvement. Why action and experimentation are essential before optimization begins. Are you improving a proven process or trying to perfect something that hasn't even been built yet?   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

Great projects start by getting the right people into the right roles before the work begins. In this episode, Jason connects Jocko Willink and Leif Babin's "cover and move" principle with practical frameworks for building construction teams that can trust each other, communicate openly, and perform together. Jason explains how team size, geographical responsibilities, personality, aptitude, and tools like DISC, Cultural Index, Enneagram, and the Six Types of Working Genius can help leaders determine who belongs in each key seat before mobilization. What you'll learn in this episode: Why getting the right people into key seats is critical to project success. How "cover and move" connects to intentional team building. Why trust, healthy conflict, accountability, and transparency must be developed early. How geographical responsibilities can help clarify ownership across a project. Why personality and aptitude should influence who is selected for each role. Are you intentionally building the team before the project starts or simply filling seats?   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

"Should" sounds harmless, but in construction planning it often reveals uncertainty. In this episode, Jason shares a lesson from a field walk that changed the way he thinks about pre-planning: stop saying something should happen and dig deep enough until you know what will happen. Jason explains why words like "should" and "try" create weak commitments and how replacing assumptions with certainty can expose gaps before they become field problems. What you'll learn in this episode: Why the word "should" often signals uncertainty in planning. How weak language can hide gaps in preparation and accountability. Why pre-construction teams need facts instead of assumptions. How digging deeper creates stronger commitments and better readiness. Why replacing "should" with "I know" can improve pre-phase planning. Where are you still saying "should" when you really need to know?   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

Trying to carry an entire project in your head is not a sign of strength; it creates unnecessary stress, hides information from the team, and puts the burden on one person. In this episode, Jason explains why plans, problems, commitments, and next steps need to be made visible so the entire team can see them and help carry the load. Jason connects personal to-do lists, afternoon foreman huddles, visual planning, and team problem-solving to one simple idea: when you get the work out of your head, you get the weight off your shoulders. What you'll learn in this episode: Why keeping project information in your head creates unnecessary risk and stress. How afternoon foreman huddles help teams prepare the next day together. Why problems should belong to the team instead of a single individual. How visual planning creates shared awareness and makes Lean systems easier to manage. Why writing things down can improve reliability while reducing the mental burden on leaders. What could you get off your shoulders today simply by getting it out of your head?   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 worst time to start planning is when construction is already underway. In this episode, Jason explains why urgency belongs in pre-construction not in the field and why teams should work aggressively upfront so crews do not have to rush, panic, recover, or improvise later. Jason breaks down the difference between driving hard during planning and pushing people during construction. His point is simple: use the time before work starts to remove constraints, coordinate the details, and prepare the project so field execution can happen with stability, flow, and safety. What you'll learn in this episode: Why urgency should happen in pre-construction instead of in the field. How strong planning protects crews from rush, panic, overtime, and unnecessary risk. Why delaying planning until excavation or early construction wastes critical opportunities. How early preparation helps remove constraints before they become field problems. Why Jason believes an hour in pre-construction can save far more time during construction. Are you hurrying up to plan now or waiting until the field forces you to react?   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

A mistake may feel small to you, but it may not feel small to your client. In this episode, Jason explains why minimizing a client's concern can damage trust and why every complaint should be treated as an opportunity to understand, connect, and improve. Jason shares how his perspective changed after learning to see himself as an extension of the client's team. He explains why empathy, accountability, and taking concerns seriously can turn mistakes into stronger relationships instead of bigger problems. What you'll learn in this episode: Why a small mistake internally can feel significant to a client. How changing your perspective can improve client relationships. Why dismissing concerns prevents teams from finding the real problem. How empathy and vulnerability create opportunities to repair trust. Why responding well to complaints can make a relationship stronger than before. Are you deciding how big the mistake is or are you listening to how big it feels to your client?   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 if one of the best places to train future construction leaders is above the job site? In this episode, Jason explores the concept of the "battle perch" an elevated position where leaders can step back, observe the entire project, and learn from what the building and the site are showing them. Jason shares how this idea can become more than an observation tool by turning it into a deliberate mentoring opportunity for assistant superintendents, field engineers, project engineers, and project managers. What you'll learn in this episode: Why a bird's-eye view can reveal things you may miss at ground level. How the battle perch supports strategic and tactical observation. Why leaders should intentionally slow down and let the job site teach them. How to use the battle perch as a mentoring and career-development tool. Why bringing younger leaders along can build stronger field judgment. Are you using your battle perch just to observe or to develop the next generation of builders?   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 much of your life are you willing to postpone for a future that isn't guaranteed? In this episode, Jason challenges the idea of staying stuck in a job, career, or lifestyle that makes you miserable simply because leaving feels risky. Drawing from recent experiences with loss, family, work, and the passage of time, he argues that life should be lived intentionally now not someday. Jason also explores the idea of "never finding yourself in the middle," explaining why unclear standards and inconsistent expectations can create unnecessary complexity in both work and life. What you'll learn in this episode: Why Jason believes staying miserable in the wrong role can cost more than leaving. How loss and the reality of limited time can change the way you think about work and family. Why meaningful experiences today may matter more than endlessly preparing for someday. How clear standards can be easier to manage than inconsistent expectations. Why living intentionally requires making decisions instead of remaining stuck in the middle. Are you building the life you actually want now or postponing it for a future that may never come?   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