Calumet “K” – Chapter 3 – BONUS

Building a Construction Culture That Thrives: Total Participation in Every Role

In construction, success isn’t just about completing a project on time and under budget. It’s about creating a culture where every team member from project managers to trade partners feels invested in the work. If you’re aiming for lasting results and high-performing teams, the question you need to ask isn’t just, “How do we complete this project?” It’s, “How do we build a culture that empowers everyone to succeed?”

In this blog, we’re going to explore how building a culture of total participation on your construction projects can lead to better outcomes. I’ll show you how a focus on teamwork, clear communication, and respect for each person’s role can transform your projects from ordinary to extraordinary. So let’s dive into why total participation is the cornerstone of success on every construction job.

Disconnect Between Office and Field

When it comes to large-scale construction projects, there’s a pattern that seems to repeat itself over and over again. The office and the field though part of the same team often don’t communicate effectively. Project managers make decisions from behind a desk, while superintendents are out on the job site, left to carry out the plan with little input or collaboration.

In my experience, this disconnect between the office and the field is one of the biggest barriers to creating an efficient and harmonious construction environment. Project managers and superintendents should be working hand-in-hand, but the reality is that often one side feels disconnected from the other.

This lack of alignment leads to frustration, misunderstandings, and ultimately a breakdown in communication that affects the success of the project. Too often, the relationship between the field team and the office is strained, with each group operating in isolation. Without a culture of total participation, these issues fester and lead to inefficiencies that could have easily been avoided.

Focusing on Tasks Over People

Construction teams often think that success comes from working hard and pushing through the work. This is especially true when it comes to superintendents, who are expected to be in control of the job site. But here’s the problem: it’s not about working harder; it’s about working smarter and that requires collaboration.

The failure pattern I see all too often is a focus on tasks rather than people. When leaders focus solely on the technical side of things getting the work done, meeting deadlines, and checking off the boxes they forget the most important aspect of any successful project: the people.

We can’t ignore the human side of construction. Every person on your team has the potential to contribute something valuable, but only if they feel respected, included, and aligned with the team’s goals. If you want to improve project outcomes, you need to shift your focus from task-driven to people-driven leadership. When everyone feels empowered and valued, the results will speak for themselves.

We’ve All Been There

I get it. I’ve been in the field, dealing with last-minute changes, miscommunications, and the pressures of keeping things on track. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of making sure everything runs smoothly, but let’s be honest when you’re in the trenches, it can feel like you’re working alone. The weight of managing every detail often falls solely on the superintendent, and this creates burnout.

As a superintendent, you’re expected to keep everything on schedule, monitor safety, and coordinate between multiple contractors and trade partners. But if your team isn’t bought into the plan or doesn’t feel like they’re part of the solution, it becomes exhausting. You start to feel like you’re doing the heavy lifting while others sit on the sidelines.

This feeling of isolation is not unique to any one person or job site. Many superintendents and field leaders experience it. But this feeling of isolation can be a thing of the past if we build the right systems and a culture of total participation.

A Short Field Story: The Turning Point

Let me share a quick story that helped shape my approach to leadership. Early in my career, I was tasked with managing a large project where everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Communication was poor between the field and the office, and team members weren’t taking responsibility for their roles. The project was at risk of missing deadlines, and tensions were high.

I realized that in order for this project to succeed, something had to change. I couldn’t keep pushing the team forward without addressing the root cause of the issues. So, I decided to take a different approach. Instead of managing the team from a place of authority, I started asking questions. I wanted to understand the challenges each team member faced, and I began building a culture of collaboration and respect. I encouraged everyone field workers, foremen, and even trade partners to weigh in on the solutions.

And you know what? It worked. Once the team realized that their opinions mattered and that they had a stake in the success of the project, things started to change. Everyone became more engaged, and we started hitting milestones on time and within budget.

Delivering the Emotional Insight: Empowering the Team

What I learned from this experience is that leadership isn’t just about giving orders; it’s about empowering your team to take ownership. When people are invested in the process when they feel like they have a voice they’ll go above and beyond to make the project a success.

You see, total participation isn’t just a nice idea it’s a necessity. It’s the glue that holds a team together, and it’s what creates the flow that leads to success. When you create a culture where everyone is involved, you foster an environment of accountability, respect, and shared goals. And when everyone on your team shares the same vision, you can accomplish incredible things together.

Building a Culture of Total Participation

So, how do we create a culture of total participation? It starts with clear communication and the willingness to listen to everyone. Here are some steps to get started:

1. Communication is Key: Make sure communication flows both ways down from leadership and up from the field. Everyone needs to understand the project’s goals, timelines, and expectations. Hold regular team meetings and check-ins to ensure everyone is aligned.
2. Create an Inclusive Culture: Encourage input from all team members, including subcontractors and trade partners. This not only improves decision-making but also fosters a sense of ownership across the team.
3. Use Lean Tools: Lean tools like Takt planning and the Last Planner system can help improve project flow and efficiency. These tools are not just about scheduling—they’re about creating a system where everyone on the project site is actively participating in the planning and execution process.
4. Invest in Training and Development: Whether it’s superintendent coaching, foreman boot camps, or leadership development, make sure your team has the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. When people feel confident in their abilities, they’re more likely to contribute and take ownership.
5. Set Clear Expectations and Accountability: Everyone on your team needs to understand their role and how their work contributes to the project’s success. Set clear goals and hold everyone accountable for achieving them.

Practical Guidance for Project Success

As you begin to implement these strategies, it’s important to remember that change takes time. You won’t build a culture of total participation overnight. But with consistent effort and a commitment to improving communication and collaboration, you’ll start seeing results.

Encourage your superintendents to communicate openly with their teams. Give them the tools they need to plan and execute their work, and make sure they’re invested in the overall success of the project. Use lean tools to optimize your workflows, and provide regular training and development to ensure your team has the skills to excel.

If your project needs superintendent coaching, project support, or leadership development, Elevate Construction can help your field teams stabilize, schedule, and flow. With the right tools, strategies, and mindset, you can create a thriving construction culture that leads to long-term success.

Building a Better Future for Your Team

At the end of the day, success in construction is about more than just completing tasks—it’s about building relationships, creating trust, and empowering your team to succeed. When everyone feels like they’re part of something bigger than themselves, they’re more likely to go above and beyond to make the project a success.

As Jason Schroeder says, “When everyone is involved, when everyone is bought in, the project flows like a well-oiled machine.” By focusing on total participation, you can create a culture where every team member is invested in the success of the project, leading to better outcomes for everyone involved.

FAQ

What does total participation mean in construction?
Total participation means that everyone on the project team, from the field to the office and trade partners, is actively involved in decision-making, planning, and execution. It ensures that all voices are heard and that every team member feels accountable for the project’s success.

Why is communication important in construction?
Communication is essential in construction because it ensures that all team members are aligned on the project’s goals, timelines, and expectations. When communication flows both ways, it helps prevent misunderstandings and improves collaboration across all teams.

How do Lean tools like Takt and Last Planner improve construction projects?
Lean tools like Takt planning and Last Planner systems improve project efficiency by creating a structured approach to scheduling and planning. These tools ensure that everyone on the team is engaged in the planning process, improving overall project flow and reducing waste.

How can I create a culture of total participation on my project?
To create a culture of total participation, focus on clear communication, inclusivity, and accountability. Encourage input from all team members, invest in training and development, and use Lean tools to optimize your workflows.

How can Elevate Construction help my team?
Elevate Construction offers superintendent coaching, project support, and leadership development to help field teams stabilize, schedule, and flow. With our expertise, your team can build a culture of total participation and achieve long-term success.