Adapt or Be Left Behind: The Role of Today’s Construction Superintendent

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By Keyan Zandy Change isn’t fun, but it is inevitable. Resenting or resisting what you can’t avoid is a waste of time and energy that could be better used working to create a mindset that embraces transformation. This is especially important in our industry, where new technologies and delivery methods, coupled with an accelerated pace of work, present an unpleasant choice: adapt or be left behind. Superintendents, no matter their leadership style, are expected to get a project completed on time and within budget. This hasn’t changed—however, the way these projects are built and delivered certainly has changed. Field leaders … Read more

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Don’t Neglect Jobsite Huddles

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By Ryan Klick The challenges and restrictions we’ve been facing over the past months have led to a reassessment of priorities and shedding of inefficiencies, as we’ve all had to focus on what’s most important in our lives and our work. We in the construction industry are fortunate to have been classified as an essential business. Along with physical distancing, disinfecting protocols and other safety measures we’ve quickly adopted on our jobsites, other routines have been postponed or dropped. If your Daily Huddle is one of those lost processes, superintendents may want to ask themselves: Are we putting out more … Read more

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Leadership Skills: Promoting Teamwork, Productivity

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By Brian Hook Back in the day, construction sites were no place for the thin-skinned, and not just because of the extreme weather swings in locations like the Upper Midwest or the Southwest. If work was falling behind or somebody had messed up, a superintendent often would just yell, and then everybody would suck it up and get to work. So-called “soft skills” were out of step with the gritty reality of field work. Times have changed, however, and if your field team hasn’t yet honed those leadership skills relating to emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, teamwork and effective communication, it’s … Read more

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Soft Skills Training: Next Step in Evolution of Project Culture

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By Bruce Worcester For many of us who have spent our careers in the field, there’s no place we’d rather be. Each time I’ve wrapped up a big project and spent a few weeks in the office starting up a new one, I always find myself eager to get back to the field. As we aim to attract more talent into the trades, never has there been a better time to invest in our people to provide them with the meaningful careers they desire—in the field or in the office. In the trades, training tends to focus on technical building … Read more

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