When You Start Getting Behind

Welcome everyone to this blog. In this one I want to share some thoughts on what we usually do when we feel like we are getting behind, and more importantly, what we should be doing instead.

I love writing these blogs because unlike YouTube or LinkedIn content where everything is polished and filtered, here I get to just talk with you one on one. I can share lessons, mistakes, updates, and ideas in a more direct way. That makes these blogs feel special to me.

Exciting Updates

Before I get into the main topic, let me give you a quick update. Kate and I are making great progress on the Takt Steering and Control book. We are already two sections and about sixty pages in, and we are building out visuals to make it clear and useful.

This book will build on the first planner system book and connect to the Last Planner approach with the Lean Builder team. I am excited because these systems together form a powerful end-to-end approach to managing projects.

Unfortunately, I have seen some disappointing and even misleading posts online about takt steering and control. Many of the claims are not only confusing but also inaccurate. That is why this book is so important. It will clarify what takt steering is, what takt control is, and how they actually work together in the field.

Reader Question: How to Facilitate a Meeting

One of you wrote in with a question about policing meetings. Often meetings derail with tangents, repeated debates, or time slipping away. The comment suggested a “two mention” rule to keep topics from dominating.

My perspective is that instead of policing, we should facilitate. I see the superintendent as a conductor keeping professional musicians in rhythm. We can set clear meeting standards, post them visibly, and use simple tools like sidebars or quick reminders when topics get too long.

I like starting meetings with a positive tone, doing a lightning round of topics, ranking them, and then moving through in order. That way the most important items are addressed first and everyone feels heard. Shorter meetings with built-in buffers also help keep focus.

What Happens When We Get Behind

Now, let us get into the main topic. What do we typically do when we start to feel behind? We rush. We panic. We ask for more labor. We push overtime. We stockpile materials. We add stress to ourselves and others. And often, in that rush, we let safety, quality, and cleanliness slip.

This is natural human behavior but it is not effective. When we panic, we create more chaos instead of solving the real problem.

What We Should Do Instead

The right response when getting behind is to slow down. Calm down. Get a present.

Instead of pushing harder, we should plan better. Revisit the pull plan. Strengthen look ahead planning. Spend time in pre-construction meetings. Rally the team with a clear focus. Double down on safety, cleanliness, and morale. Manage the supply chain with intention.

By slowing down, we actually speed up. The Navy SEALs say it best: slow is smooth and smooth is fast. That principle applies to construction projects and even to personal relationships. When stress rises, the best thing we can do is step back, breathe, and lead with clarity.

Key Takeaway

When I feel behind, my instinct is to panic and push harder, but that only makes things worse. The real solution is to slow down, get present, and plan better. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast, and that is how both teams and projects succeed.