The Joys of Boot Camp Part 2

Embracing the Process of Figuring It Out: Overcoming Fear, Building Teams, and Achieving Remarkable Results

In the fast-paced world of construction, one thing remains true: we’re constantly forced to figure it out. Whether you’re a field engineer, superintendent, or project manager, each step of the journey requires you to tackle the unknown head-on, make decisions with limited information, and rely on your team to push things forward. But what if I told you that figuring it out embracing that uncomfortable space where things aren’t clear and solutions aren’t obvious is one of the most powerful tools you have?

It’s time we change the narrative about what it means to succeed in construction. It’s not about having all the answers upfront. It’s about the process. The true measure of success in construction isn’t found in how many problems we avoid; it’s about how we confront and overcome challenges with our teams. It’s about figuring things out together.

Not Knowing What You’re Doing

If you’re in construction long enough, you’ll inevitably face the discomfort of not having all the answers. That uncertainty is universal it hits everyone, no matter how experienced or skilled. Whether it’s looking at a poorly drawn set of plans or trying to troubleshoot an unforeseen issue, there’s always a moment where you don’t know what to do. And in construction, that can be a scary moment. It’s the point where many of us hesitate, avoid speaking up, or try to act like we know what we’re doing, when, in reality, we’re just doing our best to figure it out.

But here’s the catch: It’s okay to not know. It’s perfectly acceptable to admit you don’t have all the answers. In fact, the act of figuring it out is the very process that leads to breakthroughs, innovation, and the remarkable results that our projects demand.

Clinging to the Image of Certainty

I’ll tell you something from experience. When I first started in the industry, I was guilty of clinging to the idea that I always had to have the answers. Like many, I feared looking foolish or letting my team down. I wanted to maintain the image of being the expert—the person who always knew exactly what needed to be done. But over time, I learned that this fear wasn’t helping anyone, least of all myself.

When we suppress our doubts and refuse to admit what we don’t know, it leads to silence. This silence is dangerous. It creates a cycle of frustration, anger, and isolation, especially within a team. The solution? Open communication, a willingness to admit that we don’t have all the answers, and a commitment to solve the problem as a team.

A Game-Changing Moment at Bootcamp

At one of our recent Field Engineer Bootcamps, we faced this very challenge. The participants field engineers were tasked with figuring out how to build two footings on-site with minimal resources and unclear plans. At first, they were stuck. Silence fell over the group as they struggled to make sense of their situation. But as part of the bootcamp process, we forced them to confront this discomfort.

I asked them to admit, in front of the entire group, that they didn’t know what they were doing. The moment was tense, but something incredible happened. Once the engineers released that fear and embraced the uncertainty, the communication opened up. Their questions skyrocketed, from five an hour to fifty. They started to ask for help, share ideas, and collaborate with one another. That’s when they figured it out together. They rallied as a team, and the results were nothing short of spectacular.

This isn’t just about construction skills; it’s about mindset. Figuring it out requires vulnerability. It requires a team willing to say, “I don’t know,” without fear of judgment. And once that fear is gone, the magic happens.

Letting Go of the Fear

As we reflected on the bootcamp experience, it became clear to me that figuring it out is an emotional process. It’s about moving past the fear of failure, the fear of looking incompetent, and the fear of disappointing others. When we accept that we don’t have all the answers, we free ourselves to find creative solutions. And it’s in this vulnerability that we find our true strength.

We talk a lot about failure in construction especially in leadership roles. But it’s the way we handle failure that truly matters. The best leaders aren’t the ones who never fail they’re the ones who fail forward, learn quickly, and empower their teams to do the same.

Embracing the “I Don’t Know” Mentality

Here’s the framework that we used in bootcamp and that I recommend you implement on your job sites and in your teams:

1. Admit What You Don’t Know – The first step is simple but powerful. It’s okay to say, “I don’t know what to do here, but I’m going to figure it out.” If you’re in a leadership position, you need to lead by example. Show your team that it’s safe to admit uncertainty and that they won’t be judged for it. This opens the door to real communication and problem-solving.
2. Increase Communication – Once you’ve acknowledged the unknown, the next step is communication. You can’t figure things out alone, and neither can your team. Ask questions. Share what you’re thinking. Break down silos and get everyone on the same page.
3. Fail Forward – Don’t just accept failure embrace it as part of the process. When you fail, learn from it quickly, adapt, and move forward. This is where you’ll see growth.
4. Empower Your Team – Encourage everyone to participate in the solution, not just you as the leader. Total participation means everyone on the team has a voice and is contributing to the resolution of problems.
5. Celebrate Small Wins – As your team starts figuring things out and moving forward, celebrate their wins. Acknowledge the effort they’re putting in, and use these small victories as momentum to keep going.

Leverage Bootcamp Techniques

The Field Engineer Bootcamp isn’t just about technical skills it’s about mindset. The real magic happens when you push people out of their comfort zones and help them embrace the process of figuring things out. The tools and techniques we use in bootcamp can be applied directly to your projects and teams.

One of the key takeaways from the bootcamp is the idea of collaborative problem-solving. When you get people to stop pretending they know everything and instead focus on how to figure things out together, the results are astounding. If you’re a superintendent or project manager, I encourage you to start integrating these principles into your daily operations:

• Encourage Open Dialogue: Let your team know that it’s okay to not have all the answers. Ask questions, share ideas, and listen actively. The more your team communicates, the more they can solve problems efficiently.
• Foster a Learning Environment: Embrace the idea of continuous learning. Use bootcamp-style exercises on your projects, like working through problems with limited resources and unclear plans. You’ll be amazed at the creativity your team will demonstrate when given the space to figure it out.

Elevate Your Team to the Next Level

At Elevate Construction, we believe that when you empower your teams to figure things out, you unlock their potential and help them reach new heights. It’s not about doing it perfectly it’s about doing it together. This is how we achieve remarkable results and build a culture of trust, collaboration, and success.

If your project needs superintendent coaching, project support, or leadership development, Elevate Construction can help your field teams stabilize, schedule, and flow.

Fail Forward and Build Together

The journey to success in construction is not about knowing everything from the start. It’s about trusting the process, learning from failure, and most importantly, working together to solve problems. As we learned in the bootcamp, figuring it out is what makes us stronger as teams and as individuals.

As Deming once said, “It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.” But to thrive in construction, we must embrace change, learn from failure, and keep moving forward together.

FAQs

What does “figuring it out” mean in the context of construction?

“Figuring it out” means embracing the uncertainty and challenges of construction projects. It involves admitting when we don’t know something and relying on collaboration, communication, and teamwork to find solutions.

How can I apply these principles to my own team?

Start by fostering an environment where it’s safe to admit what you don’t know. Encourage open dialogue and empower everyone to participate in problem-solving. Use tools like bootcamp-style exercises to challenge your team and help them develop the mindset needed to succeed.

Why is failure important in construction?

Failure is a natural part of the process. It’s not about avoiding failure it’s about failing forward. When we fail quickly and learn from it, we can adjust our approach and continue moving toward success. Embrace failure as an opportunity for growth and improvement.