You’re Not That Unique And That’s a Good Thing for Construction
I hear this phrase all the time in construction:
“Yeah, but our project is different.”
And I get it. The building may be unique. The location, the team, the tools they all vary.
But here’s the truth: the process doesn’t.
This belief that “we’re different” might feel empowering in the moment, but it’s one of the most damaging mindsets in our industry. It’s holding us back from standardizing, improving, and scaling real excellence.
The Trap of Believing You’re Unique
Kate and Kevin from our Elevate team recently challenged me with a simple but important question:
Are we offering standard and affordable consulting, or custom and expensive?
That hit me.
Because the entire industry is addicted to “custom.”
We’ve glorified it.
We wear it like a badge.
But this mindset leads to:
- No standard processes
- Avoidance of production systems like Takt
- Reinventing workflows on every project
- Constant burnout and inefficiency
We make things harder than they need to be.
Let’s Be Honest About What’s Actually Different
Yes, every project has unique elements:
- A hospital is different from a retail center
- Urban logistics vs. rural sites
- Tool and equipment choices vary
But the core sequence?
That’s the same.
- Build the foundation
- Go floor by floor
- Run structure
- In-wall systems
- Overheads
- Finishes
- Commissioning
The flow is repeatable, and so your planning should be too.
Where This Mindset Really Hurts
- Scheduling & Planning
Teams build durations from scratch, ignoring proven reference data.
No rhythm. No buffer. Just chaos. - Pull Planning
We treat it like a whiteboard exercise instead of the science it is.
Honestly? AI is on the verge of doing it better than some trade partners. - Systems & Templates
We avoid standard tools because we think, “our project is different.”
That leaves us in manual chaos with no feedback loop.
The Fix? Celebrate Consistency
The best builders don’t wing it.
Hensel Phelps doesn’t wing it.
They standardize, stabilize, and scale.
You can do the same:
- Use templates
- Apply production law
- Embrace Takt planning
- Track and replicate what works
For the New Supers Coming Up
In this episode, I also answered a great question from a young union carpenter aiming to become a superintendent. My advice?
- Start now
- Build the habits
- Master the basics
Things like writing clearly, typing fast, showing up early, asking good questions those aren’t “extra.”
They’re the foundation of leadership.
Final Thought
You’re not as unique as you think. And that’s not an insult it’s a gift.
Because if the process is repeatable, that means we can master it.
We can stop reacting and start planning.
Stop improvising and start building flow.
That’s how we elevate construction.
Key Takeaway:
Don’t chase uniqueness master repeatability. Standardize your process, stabilize your team, and scale your results. That’s how you win in construction.
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
