Building with Heart: A Conversation with Jake Smalley
In one of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had on the blog, I got the chance to reconnect with my longtime friend and fellow builder, Jake Smalley. Jake isn’t just a great superintendent he’s a man with heart, wisdom, and lived experience that reminds us what truly matters in construction.
Jake works as a healthcare superintendent in Tucson, Arizona. He’s passionate about solving complex problems in active hospital environments. But what really brought it home for him and for all of us listening was the moment his own daughter needed emergency medical care in a facility he had helped build.
He walked into an MRI suite, carrying his sick daughter in his arms the same suite he had managed just months earlier. That’s when it hit him: this work is real. This work is personal. And it matters.
Jake’s daughter was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, a rare condition that shook his family. But the team that supported him the same team he had worked alongside in that hospital stood by him in ways he’ll never forget. It was a full-circle moment. One that reminded us: what we build touches lives.
We laughed, we got emotional, and we went deep. Jake also opened up about his personal transformation how he lost over 180 pounds and is now training for a 200-mile bike ride. That physical journey reflects the same commitment he brings to his work: to be present, purposeful, and better every day.
He shared some beautiful, practical lessons:
- Say “good morning” to everyone it changes the tone of the day
- Serve your team even if it’s cleaning the jobsite bathroom or flipping burgers
- Stay humble leadership isn’t about being the boss, it’s about showing up
What I love most about Jake is how he lives this stuff. He’s not preaching. He’s living it. He’s reminding us that construction isn’t just about steel and concrete it’s about people, relationships, and showing up with heart.
Key Takeaway:
Jake Smalley reminds us that great builders lead with humility, serve their people, and never forget the human impact of the spaces they create. Whether it’s greeting someone in the hallway or showing up when it matters most, leadership is about connection and that changes everything.
If you want to learn more we have:
-Takt Virtual Training: (Click here)
-Check out our Youtube channel for more info: (Click here)
-Listen to the Elevate Construction podcast: (Click here)
-Check out our training programs and certifications: (Click here)
-The Takt Book: (Click here)
Discover Jason’s Expertise:
Meet Jason Schroeder, the driving force behind Elevate Construction IST. As the company’s owner and principal consultant, he’s dedicated to taking construction to new heights. With a wealth of industry experience, he’s crafted the Field Engineer Boot Camp and Superintendent Boot Camp – intensive training programs engineered to cultivate top-tier leaders capable of steering their teams towards success. Jason’s vision? To expand his training initiatives across the nation, empowering construction firms to soar to unprecedented levels of excellence.
On we go
