Nicolas M., Author at Elevate Constructionist

What Does It Mean To Be A Team Player?

Posted on August 7, 2024August 7, 2024 by Nicolas M.

Read 10 min

If you want to be a great team player and start showing up that way right now, this is the blog post for you. Wouldn’t it be nice if somebody had a formula for this? Well, actually, there is one! You can become a better team player tomorrow, and I’ll give you these references.

The Ideal Team Player

There’s a book called The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni, and I love it. In this blog post, we’re going to do a deep dive into the content and really give you the framework. You’re going to love it. So, there are three categories in the ideal team player spectrum:

Humble
Hungry
Smart

If you want to be an ideal team player, you will be humble, hungry, and smart. Let’s explore what each of these mean.

Humble: What Being a Humble Team Player Looks Like

Humility in this sense means being willing to do lower-level work amongst your team. Are you willing to be all in, as long as it’s legal, moral, and ethical? Regardless of your position, are you ready to lean in and help your team, not run away, but actually dig in and assist?

Hungry: What Being a Hungry Team Player Looks Like

Hungry means you really care about your career and its growth. You want this, you’re going to figure it out, and you’re going to dig in. You’re going to own your role and do well in your position. Being hungry means you’re that hard-working, get-it-done type of player. So, when you are on a team, not only must you be willing to do what’s needed, but also do it well, with a certain amount of hunger.

Smart: What Being a Smart Team Player Looks Like

Smart doesn’t just mean being intellectually smart. Obviously, you must be smart enough to do the job, but it also means being smart with people. 80% of your job involves dealing with people, while 20% is the technical side of it. Being smart means you are capable of doing the job and also adept at working with people.

What Being an Ideal Team Player Looks Like

The really great spot here is having all three of these characteristics. This is when you become the ideal team player. Now, let me show you how to use this pattern to identify gaps in this model, either for yourself or for others, so that you can really assess the problem.

Different Types of Team Players

The Pawn: This is a person who is humble but not hungry or smart. They are willing to dig in and do anything for the team but don’t drive their own career success and aren’t good with people. They often get used by the team and don’t know how to say no.
The Bulldozer: This personality type is hungry but not humble or smart. They have great drive and determination but lack team spirit and people skills. They bulldoze over everyone, often causing conflicts due to their aggressive approach.
The Charmer: A person who is smart but not humble or hungry. They know how to work with people and influence others but lack the willingness to dig in with the team and drive results.
The Lovable Slacker: Humble and smart but not hungry. They work well with the team and are good with people but lack motivation and productivity.
The Accidental Mess Maker: Humble and hungry but not smart. They have a lot of drive and are willing to help but lack emotional intelligence, often causing conflicts and making duplicate work.
The Skillful Politician: Hungry and smart but not humble. They know how to work with people and are driven but aren’t willing to do lower-level work, often acting like a politician to climb the ranks.

How to Help Others Become Ideal Team Players

If you have a team player who doesn’t fit the ideal mold, here’s how you can help:

The Pawn: Encourage them to develop their career aspirations and people skills.
The Bulldozer: Coach them on team collaboration and emotional intelligence.
The Charmer: Motivate them to take on more responsibility and drive results.
The Lovable Slacker: Inspire them to find their passion and increase their productivity.
The Accidental Mess Maker: Provide training on team dynamics and emotional intelligence.
The Skillful Politician: Encourage them to stretch outside their comfort zone and support the team.

Advantages of Using the Ideal Team Player Pattern

This pattern is simple enough for us to assess where we and others stand. It also highlights specific areas of focus for thought work and training.

Hire the Right People: Use assessments from The Table Group website to evaluate incoming new hires and existing employees.
Assess Your Existing Team: Not for slash and burn approaches, but to help people align with the ideal team player framework.
Develop Your Existing Staff: Provide training, programs, and support to improve skills in any lacking areas.
Embed These Values into Your Culture: Talk about the framework, act on it, and integrate it into your organizational culture.

Key Qualities of an Ideal Team Player

Hard workers
Organized
Willing to help
Contribute to a happy environment
Build trust with their team

Learn More with These Resources

Are you an ideal team player? Let’s find out! Below, I’m linking you to Patrick Lencioni’s book, which is fantastic, along with some guides that will help you. You’ll find assessments for hiring and self-assessments to develop into an ideal team player.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog post. On we go!

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!

How To Resolve Conflict Between Two Employees At Work

Posted on August 7, 2024October 17, 2024 by Nicolas M.

Read 8 min

Have you ever dealt with conflict between two employees at work and didn’t know what to do? If so, this blog post is for you. We’re going to explore why conflict happens in the first place and outline six steps you can use to navigate these situations effectively. Let’s get started.

Common Reasons Why Conflict Arises in the Workplace

Understanding why conflict occurs is the first step. Usually, conflict happens when someone feels like something’s being taken away, when someone is feeling jealous, angry, or fearful, or when someone’s basic human needs are not being met. These needs include certainty, significance, variety, and love and connection.

Most conflict among employees stems from a positive intent, meaning they want something, they’re trying to keep something, they’re trying to preserve something, or they’re trying to fulfill a need. When you have this perspective, you can avoid demonizing the people involved and understand that conflict is a normal part of the human experience. Conflict can arise when someone doesn’t feel heard, doesn’t have their needs met, fears loss, or can’t connect with their colleagues. All of these issues have solutions.

Six Steps to Resolve Conflict

Step 1: Recognize the Cause

Know why conflict happens. This understanding is crucial in addressing the root of the issue.

Step 2: Create an Open Door Policy

An open door policy ensures that employees know they can come to you with any issue and that you’ll provide a safe, confidential environment. Make it clear that while some situations, like harassment or discrimination, must be reported, their feelings and experiences will be kept confidential. Listen genuinely and show that you care about their outcomes.

Step 3: Address Serious Issues Promptly

If the conflict involves harassment, discrimination, or abuse, immediately contact your HR and legal departments for guidance. Assure the employee that they are in a safe place and that the situation will be handled appropriately.

Step 4: Determine the Severity of the Situation

Understand how serious the conflict is by listening carefully and observing body language. Ask the person involved to share their experience and feelings.

Step 5: Encourage Direct Communication

If appropriate, encourage the employees to resolve the issue directly with each other. Coach them on how to have a constructive conversation. If they’re comfortable, allow them to try resolving it on their own and check back with you if they need further assistance.

Step 6: Mediate if Necessary

If direct communication isn’t possible or successful, offer to mediate a conversation between the parties. Your role is to facilitate a constructive dialogue and help them reconnect. If the conflict cannot be resolved, you might need to assess whether the employees can be separated or reassigned to different teams.

Additional Steps

Encourage Team Building

Encourage employees to spend time together and get to know each other better. This can help repair relationships and foster a collaborative environment. Personal player cards, where employees write down how they want to be communicated with, can also be helpful.

Documentation

Document the conflict and the steps taken to resolve it. This ensures that your actions can be audited and provides a record for legal purposes.

Align with Company Values

Always anchor your conflict resolution process to the company’s core values, employee handbook, and local rules and customs. This ensures consistency and fairness.

The Key to Conflict Resolution

Listening to all parties involved is crucial. By listening, involving the right people, and seeking second opinions, you can find effective solutions that address the needs of the employees, the team, and the company.

Conflict is a natural part of any team dynamic, but with the right approach, you can resolve it constructively. Remember to stay calm, involve HR and legal when necessary, and seek solutions that benefit everyone.

We hope this blog post empowers you as a leader to handle conflicts effectively. For more detailed steps and resources, check out our linked blog post that provides a comprehensive guide on navigating difficult workplace situations safely and successfully.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go!

What Is A Gemba Walk And Why Is It Important?

Posted on August 7, 2024October 17, 2024 by Nicolas M.

Read 9 min

Do you want to know the main thing that will switch you from a classical old-timey management style to the new Lean management style? If you do, this is the blog post for you.

In this blog post, I’m going to show you a Lean technique that will change everything for you, and you can start it tomorrow. I’m going to discuss the seven steps that you can begin using that will significantly improve the productivity of your people and the pattern for making real improvements at the place of work. Stay with us.

What is a Gemba Walk?

So let’s talk about it. What is a Gemba walk? A Gemba walk is a workplace walkthrough that attempts to observe people, ask about their tasks, and identify productivity gains. The term Gemba walk is derived from the Japanese word Gemba, which means “the real place.” It literally refers to identifying the place where work really happens.

The key concept here, which you might think is basic or fundamental, but is quite fantastic, is to go to the place of work and observe what’s happening with the people closest to the work. The goal is to understand how work is being done, the challenges people face, and opportunities to improve for them, not just for the bottom dollar.

How to Do a Gemba Walk

Here are the steps in the process:

Go to the Place Where the Work is Happening: This might seem fundamental, but how many leadership or executive teams actually do this? Most of the time, leadership teams sit isolated in their offices, not understanding what the workers are dealing with. First step, get out of that comfort zone, do field walks, check out your shop floor, project sites, and meetings. Go to the place of work to see what’s happening on location.
Talk to and Observe People Doing Work: Listen to them and have real meaningful conversations to understand what they are experiencing.
Look for Waste: Look for the eight wastes, overburden, and unevenness. Any of these will negatively affect the people and the bottom line of your business.
Map Out an Understanding of the Process: Understand what’s going on from the conversations and your visual observations. Make sure you can visually articulate or note down what’s really taking place.
Take Steps to Improve the Environment: Here are some suggestions:

- Enabling: How can you better support the people in your organization?
- Teaching and Training: Is there any training that could help your frontline workers in their tasks?
- Listening and Adjusting: Maybe they just need you to listen and adjust company systems to support their work.
- Providing Better Tools or Equipment: Are there better tools or equipment that could support them?
- Ensuring Enough Time: Do they have enough time to finish tasks and regroup?
- Improving the Workplace: Is their work area conducive to high productivity?
- Bringing in Outside Expertise: Is there an expert or resource you need to bring into your organization to solve some problems?

Important Things to Remember During Field Walks

As a part of your overall process, always consider these:

5S-ing: Teach and encourage everyone to sort, straighten, sweep, standardize, and sustain their areas every day.
Seeing Waste: Encourage people to memorize the eight wastes: overproduction, excess inventory, motion, transportation, defects, over-processing, waiting, and not using the genius of the team. After 5S-ing, people will see waste and be motivated to make improvements.
Start, Stop, and Continue: At the end of your Gemba walk, ask your team:

- What should we start doing to improve?
- What should we stop doing?
- What should we continue doing that’s working well?

Importance of Sharing Improvements Throughout Your Organization

If you see a before-and-after story or a cool idea during your walks, share it throughout your organization via email, pictures, WhatsApp, or YouTube videos. Don’t underestimate the importance of sharing improvements. This creates dialogue and encourages a culture of continuous improvement.

Effective Method to Properly Observe the Workplace

One key tip is the Ohno Circle, inspired by Taiichi Ohno, the inventor of the Toyota Production System. He would draw a chalk circle on the ground and ask people to stand there for a prolonged period to observe and understand what was really happening without distractions.

Final Thoughts

If you engage in a Gemba walk, preferably every month, don’t go there to dictate solutions. Go to observe and have real conversations. This approach will build a culture of trust, improve the work environment, and ultimately enhance productivity and profits.

Classical management often isolates leaders from workers. Lean management connects them, leveraging the insights of those who know what changes are needed. Manage like this, where you’re connected and observing the real work, because you have the power to make impactful changes.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go!

How Do You Balance Work And Family Life?

Posted on August 7, 2024October 17, 2024 by Nicolas M.

Read 10 min

Are you at the point where you just need to be home and present with your family and still crush it at work? Do you want to know exactly how you can achieve a balance between your work and home life and what specific tools are available to support you in this endeavor? Would you like my seven recommendations for how to execute this flawlessly? If so, you’re going to love this blog post. So let’s go ahead and get started.

Differences Between Balance vs. Blend

What does balance mean? When you look it up in the dictionary, it means an even distribution of something. But there’s also another word that I want to introduce here, which is blend, defined as a mixture of different things in quantities. Sometimes we’re really focused on balancing. But the fact of the matter is that work and home life require an intentional blend. So it’s not a fight of either-or; it’s about finding the right blend and balance.

The Key to Work & Family Life Balance and Blend

The key to balancing and blending your work and home life is to intentionally schedule both. Here’s how to approach it:

Schedule Family Time First: Determine the exact time you need for your family. This includes asking your spouse, partner, or kids what the most important times are for them and when they need you home. For example, maybe you need to be home for a weekly baseball game on Wednesdays at 4 PM, or ensure you’re available for date night on Fridays at 5 PM. Get detailed and specific about these key times.
Schedule Work Time Next: After identifying your family commitments, determine when you can work late if necessary. For instance, maybe your family is okay with you working late on Mondays and Thursdays. Communicate these times with your project team to ensure they can cover for you during your family commitments.

How to Schedule Time for Your Family and Work

Intentionally scheduling time for your family and work involves clear communication and setting boundaries. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Talk to Your Family: Have a discussion with your family about their key needs and commitments. Understand what times are non-negotiable for family activities.
Talk to Your Work Team: Communicate with your project team about your family commitments and find ways to cover for each other during these times. For example, someone can cover the early morning tasks if you need to take your kids to school.

Prioritizing Tasks When Scheduling Your Time

Prioritizing tasks is crucial to balance your work and family life. Here’s the order to follow:

Family and Personal Time: Schedule your family and personal time first. This is your top priority.
Career Development: Next, schedule the tasks necessary for your career development.
Project Meetings: Schedule important meetings for your projects.
Handling Project Chaos: Finally, schedule time to handle any chaos or unexpected issues that arise in your projects.

Identifying Resources to Get Your Work Done on Time

To accomplish your tasks within the time you’ve allotted, you need to identify the necessary resources. Ask yourself:

How many people do I need on my team?
What technology and software will I need?
What support will I need to accomplish these tasks?
What training do I need to improve my efficiency?
What does my work environment need to look like?

The same planning applies to your family time. Be intentional about how you spend this time and what you need to make the most of it.

Tips to Make the Most of Your Time with Your Family

Coordination Time: Spend at least 90 minutes each week with your partner or spouse coordinating family activities.
Date Nights: Have two date nights per week – one out of the house and one at home.
Proximity Time: Spend at least 15 hours per week in close proximity to your family.
Focused Time with Kids: Spend at least 15 minutes of focused time with each child per week.
Family Outings: Plan one fun family outing per week.
Dinner at Home: Ensure at least two nights per week where the whole family has dinner together at home.
No Weekend Work: Avoid working on weekends to rest and rejuvenate.

Achieving Work & Family Life Balance and Blend

Balancing and blending your work and family life is about being intentional and setting boundaries. Constrain your work schedule to fit within these boundaries, and you’ll find creative ways to achieve your goals. Breaking the habit of constantly prioritizing work over family is essential for maintaining a healthy balance.

In conclusion, a good work-life balance and blend come down to intentional planning and communication. By following these tips and recommendations, you can create a harmonious balance between your work and family life, ensuring success and happiness in both areas.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go!

How To Speak In Meetings With Confidence And Authority

Posted on August 7, 2024October 17, 2024 by Nicolas M.

Read 8 min

Are you struggling to speak up confidently in meetings? You’re not alone. Many of us face this challenge, but there’s a way to get past it. In this blog post, we’ll explore what part of the environment needs to be set up for you to speak up, 11 tips you can put into practice to be successful, and some things to avoid. Let’s dive in.

The Importance of Speaking Up Confidently

Speaking up confidently in meetings is a skill we all need and can practice. However, it’s essential to practice it the right way. An unsafe environment, wrong timing, a hostile crowd, or lack of supportive elements can make it a daunting task. Therefore, the first and foremost step is to create the right environment.

Setting Up the Right Environment

A conducive meeting environment follows the same principles as running a great meeting. Here are the essential components:

Preparation: The meeting should be well-prepared.
Purpose: The meeting must have a clear purpose.
Focus: The meeting should be focused, so everyone knows the direction.
Healthy Conflict: The environment must allow for healthy conflict where everyone can engage.

With these components in place, you can:

See where the conversation is headed and stay with that context.
Use your experience to contribute meaningfully.
Practice saying something that adds value to the conversation.

How to Speak Confidently in Meetings

Practicing is key to getting better at speaking up in meetings. Remember, practice does not make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect or makes permanent. Here are 11 tips to help you practice effectively and speak up confidently:

1. Prepare in Advance

A well-scheduled meeting with a clear purpose allows you to come prepared. Understand what’s being discussed and do any necessary research ahead of time.

2. Overcome Limiting Beliefs

Move past your limiting beliefs. Stop censoring yourself and believe that people need your opinion and expertise. Your contributions are valuable and necessary.

3. Listen Well

Always listen attentively. Sometimes, listening deeply can make you forget what you were going to say, but it’s crucial for understanding the conversation and contributing meaningfully.

4. Ask Questions

If you’re not ready to speak up, ask for clarity. Questions like “What does this mean?” or “What about that?” can help move the conversation forward and ensure you understand the context before providing your input.

5. Use a Meeting Agenda

If you’re hosting the meeting, use an agenda. If you’re a participant, align with the agenda to know when to speak up.

6. Believe in Your Answers

Center your response around a single concept or word you are emotionally connected to. This focus will help you speak passionately and effectively.

7. Provide Context

When speaking up, provide context. Explain what you see, the current conditions, and what makes you believe your opinion is relevant. This makes it easier for others to understand and engage with your input.

8. Share Experiences

Relate your contributions to your experiences. This makes your input more relatable and credible.

9. Practice Regularly

Take every opportunity to add value. The more you practice, the more you normalize speaking up and the better you get at it.

10. Commit to Speaking Up

Write down key points you want to address during the meeting. Commit to speaking up about these topics and follow through.

11. Ease Into It

If you’re feeling super nervous, don’t force it. Find natural opportunities to speak up, be patient with yourself, and understand that even the best speakers make mistakes and improve over time.

Key Things to Avoid When Speaking in Meetings

Here are a few pitfalls to watch out for:

Having Your Camera Off: In virtual meetings, having your camera on helps create a natural connection and makes your comments more impactful.
Being Distracted: Avoid multitasking during meetings. Stay focused to keep up with the context and contribute effectively.
Not Listening to Others: Failing to listen disconnects you from the group and can make your comments less relevant.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go!

How To Make The Most Of Your Day

Posted on July 26, 2024July 26, 2024 by Nicolas M.

Read 11 min

Are you constantly running from one fire to another? This blog post is for you. We’re going to share with you four essential actions to kick off your day on the right foot. These are the key things you need to feel satisfied before you finish your day, and the things you can’t forget, because if you do, you’ll end up right back in that rat race. Let’s get started.

4 Key Things to Start Your Day Right

When you’re setting up your day, it’s crucial to start it off right. There’s quite a bit of research that goes into this, so let me give you four key actions to really set your day off on the right track.

1. Spend Five Minutes in the Sunlight

Start your day by spending five minutes in the sunlight, if possible. Get up, think of something you’re grateful for, stand up, go to the window, or step outside. This simple act will get your day started off right by providing the biochemical boost your body needs.

2. Breathe Deeply

In the description below, we’ll link you to a graphic that will help you with a breathing routine to use every morning. Whether you use the box breathing method (inhale for 5 seconds, hold for 5 seconds, exhale for 5 seconds, hold for 5 seconds) or another breathing method, aim to take at least 10 to 25 deep breaths. This practice will get your lungs working, make you more alert, and help you start your day effectively.

3. Practice Self-Love

This might sound a bit silly, but it makes a significant difference. Go to the mirror and tell yourself, “I love you.” Do this once or multiple times. This practice will wire you into a mindset where you can win the day with self-gratitude and comfort in your own skin.

4. Challenge Yourself

Do something that challenges you each morning. For example, if you typically brush your teeth with your right hand, try using your left hand. Switch up your routines to keep your mind sharp and prevent falling into a monotonous cycle. Challenging yourself helps you stay aware, connected, balanced, and intellectually stimulated.

How to Plan Your Day

Now that we’ve covered the essentials to start your day, let’s discuss how to plan it effectively.

Use a To-Do List

Every professional should have a to-do list. This list helps you get everything out of your head and onto paper, making it easier to remember key tasks.

Implement Leader Standard Work

Your Leader Standard Work should include the tasks you need to accomplish daily or weekly to take care of yourself, your family, and your leadership role.

Live in Day-Tight Compartments

Plan your day by pulling key tasks from your Leader Standard Work and time-blocking them. Fill the rest of your time with to-do list items and buffers. This method helps you stay focused and allows for flexibility in your schedule.

Practice One-Piece Flow

Work on tasks in a focused manner, reducing distractions to accomplish work more efficiently. This approach helps you complete tasks in a shorter amount of time due to increased focus.

How to Practice Box Breathing

Box breathing is a method to calm your mind and body. Inhale for 5 seconds, hold for 5 seconds, exhale for 5 seconds, and hold again for 5 seconds. Repeat this process 3 to 5 times. This practice helps regulate your heart rate, focus your mind, and prepare you for the day. During this process, place your hand over your heart and think about something you’re grateful for, something you want to give to others, and something you want to let go of.

How to Feel Successful Throughout the Day

1. Include Energizing Activities

Ensure your day includes activities that give you energy and make you feel proud. Avoid overloading your schedule with tasks that drain you. Plan your day with buffers and impactful activities.

2. Prioritize Urgent and Important Tasks

Focus on tasks that are urgent and important, and that only you can do. This ensures you’re addressing the most critical tasks first.

3. Plan Buffers Throughout Your Day

Plan at least 40% of your day as buffers. These buffers help you handle distractions, take breaks, and manage tasks that take longer than expected. This approach prevents you from feeling rushed and allows you to absorb unexpected events.

4. Work in One-Piece Flow

Focus on one task at a time to accomplish work more efficiently. Reduce distractions and stay present in your work.

Five Key Things to Make the Most of Your Day

Work Without Distraction: Find a place where you can focus without interruptions. Whether it’s a quiet office, a dedicated workspace at home, or a peaceful outdoor spot, eliminate distractions to maximize productivity.
Schedule Thinking Time: Allocate time for problem-solving and creative thinking. This is when you’ll generate your best ideas and make significant progress.
Take Breaks: Regular breaks are essential for maintaining energy and focus. Follow the example of military studies that show the importance of taking breaks to sustain performance.
Connect with Others: Human connection is vital for happiness and engagement. Take time to interact with your team and build meaningful relationships.
Feel Like You’re Winning: Ensure your day includes activities that make you feel accomplished. Avoid overloading your schedule and focus on tasks that give you a sense of achievement.

Learn More with These Resources

As a free gift, we’re providing a complete outline of how you can make the most of your day in the form of a blog post. Try implementing these steps for at least 60 days and see the positive impact on your daily routine. We hope you enjoy these tips and look forward to hearing about your success. On we go!

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go!

How To Implement Lean Construction

Posted on July 26, 2024October 17, 2024 by Nicolas M.

Read 8 min

Let’s get started with what Lean is. Although I’ve covered this before, it’s worth revisiting. Lean construction is built on four foundational principles:

Respect for People and Resources: This means valuing every team member and optimizing resource usage.
Stability and Flow: Ensuring consistent and predictable project progress.
Total Participation with Visual Systems: Engaging the entire team through clear and visual management systems.
Quality and Continuous Improvement: Striving for excellence and always seeking ways to enhance processes.

If you prefer a more tangible breakdown, here it is:

Respect for People: Treating everyone involved with dignity and ensuring their well-being.
5S and Elimination of the Eight Wastes: Organizing workspaces for efficiency and removing non-value-adding activities.
Overburden and Unevenness: Managing workloads to avoid burnout and ensuring balanced workflows.
One Piece or One Process Flow: Streamlining processes for smoother operations.
Flowing Together on a Takt Time: Synchronizing work rhythms to maintain steady progress.
Visual Systems for the Entire Project Team: Using visual tools to keep everyone informed and aligned.
Delivering Quality and Improving Continuously: Focusing on high standards and ongoing enhancements.

Where to Learn Lean Construction Practices

To implement Lean construction, you need to start by learning about it. Here are some steps to get you started:

Lean Training: Enroll in training programs offered by various organizations such as AGC, LCI, Elevate, and Nicolas Modak’s hubs. You can also read books on Lean construction to deepen your understanding.
Takt Planning: Takt is a German word for rhythm, symbolizing trades moving through zones in sequence. Learn to create schedules that show trades flowing in a consistent, diagonal line, enabling you to measure progress and implement Lean systems effectively. For detailed guidance, read “Takt Planning” by Jason Schroeder.
Last Planner System: Once you have your takt plan, involve your team in updating sequences, removing roadblocks, and creating weekly work plans collaboratively. For more insights, read “The Lean Builder” by Keyan Zandy and Joe Donarumo.
Lean Manufacturing Insights from Paul Akers: Paul Akers’ book “2 Second Lean” is a great resource for understanding Lean principles in a simple, engaging way. His videos and systems are invaluable for those new to Lean.

Implementing Lean Construction

Once you’ve learned the basics, here’s how to implement Lean construction effectively:

Experiment on Your Own Projects: Apply Lean principles to your projects and track the results.
Align with the Right Company: Ensure your company supports and invests in Lean practices to sustain your efforts.
Integrate Lean into Business Systems: Align your company’s systems with Lean actions, tools, processes, and culture to support project success.
Train Everyone: Comprehensive training for all team members on Lean systems is crucial. This may take time, but it’s essential for effective implementation.
Motivate Your Team: Recognize top performers, share successes, and create a culture that supports Lean behaviors. Measure the right things to drive desired outcomes.
Provide Necessary Tools and Resources: Ensure your team has the time, training, tools, and resources needed to implement Lean practices effectively.
Create Anchor Projects: Implement Lean on key projects with the best opportunities and teams. Highlight these successes to build momentum.
Make Your Successes Famous: Share your Lean successes through pictures, videos, industry talks, and social media. This builds ownership and encourages others to follow suit.
Encourage Responsible Scaling: Support and expand Lean practices across projects and teams gradually and sustainably.
Regular Tours and Reviews: Maintain Lean habits by regularly touring projects and showcasing your successes. This keeps the team motivated and accountable.

Important Analogy to Understand About Making Changes

To successfully implement Lean, use the analogy from the book “Switch.” Imagine you have a rider (your intellect) steering an elephant (your motivation) along a path (your circumstances). For effective change:

The rider (knowledge) needs to know how to implement Lean.
The elephant (motivation) must want to embrace Lean.
The path (circumstances) must be clear and conducive to Lean practices.

Without all three elements, change will be challenging.

If you want to learn more we have:

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

On we go!

How To Analyze People Through Behavior And Body Language

Posted on July 26, 2024July 26, 2024 by Nicolas M.

Read 9 min

In this blog post, you’ll discover why most people act the way they do and how their actions are driven by four basic human needs. We’ll also explore the two spiritual needs that can actually influence behavior outcomes, as well as three factors that can change those behaviors. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of why people behave the way they do in various situations. So, stay with us.

Alright, let’s dive right in. I’m super excited about this topic, and I believe we’re going to explain it in a way that will make perfect sense. You can use this pattern wherever you go. When I first learned this pattern, I thought, “That’s pretty interesting,” but now that I’ve used it for years, I see this pattern everywhere.

Important Thing to Understand About Positive Intentions

Let’s start by understanding that everyone has positive intent. I know that’s a hard concept to grasp, and you might disagree with me. Hold on, hold on. Don’t get upset just yet. Everyone has positive intent. Anger, conflict, yelling, and even punishing people often have positive intentions behind them. Even people who use drugs are trying to numb themselves to escape pain. If you look at any situation, there’s typically a positive intent. This doesn’t mean the actions are moral or ethical, but it means they are driven by a desire for a positive outcome for themselves. By understanding these intentions, we can help others and ourselves.

The 4 Basic Human Needs

I want to introduce you to the four basic human needs:

Certainty: The desire for consistency, safety, and predictability in our lives, like having a roof over our heads.
Variety: Sometimes humans get bored and want to change their environment.
Significance: The need to feel important and liked by others.
Love and Connection: The need to feel connected to others.

How People React When They Lack a Basic Human Need

When a person focuses on one of these needs and doesn’t get it, they respond accordingly. For example, if I’m with my child and a dangerous dog starts running towards us, I’ll get angry and likely attack the dog and yell at the owner. This response is driven by my need for certainty—keeping my child safe. If I don’t get this certainty, I’ll respond with anger.

Similarly, in a marriage, if your spouse isn’t making you feel special, you might feel insignificant and unloved. This lack of significance and love can lead to sadness and anger, creating a cycle of arguments and apologies. This cycle, where you’re not getting what you need, is called the sad-mad cycle.

How People Can Fall Into Numbing

People can’t survive in the sad-mad cycle for long. The human psyche can’t sustain prolonged sadness or anger, so they start numbing. Numbing can come from overworking, drugs, alcohol, smoking, excessive sex, or any distraction used to mask the pain of unmet needs. Sadly, sometimes people even resort to suicide.

What to Do If You Lack a Basic Human Need

So, what are your options if you lack a basic human need? Instead of numbing, you have two other options:

Get What You Need: If you lack certainty, work harder to achieve job security or improve your marriage. However, this isn’t always the best solution.
Focus on Spiritual Needs: The two spiritual needs are growth and contribution. Instead of reacting negatively to unmet needs, focus on growing and contributing. This could mean exercising, reading, volunteering, or serving others, regardless of what you get in return.

How to Fulfill Your Basic Needs by Focusing on the 2 Spiritual Needs

Prioritize your needs towards growth and contribution. You have control over these needs. Unlike the basic needs of certainty, variety, significance, and love, you can control how much you grow and contribute. Focusing on these can fulfill your needs in a positive and sustainable way.

How to Analyze People Through Their Behaviors and Body Language

When analyzing people, their behaviors, and body language, start by identifying their positive intent. Then, determine which need they are clinging to. For example, if your foreman is upset and crossing his arms during a meeting, consider that he might be worried about not meeting a deadline and the certainty of his job performance. Understanding this allows you to address the real issue rather than reacting negatively.

This pattern is crucial in any industry with frequent misunderstandings. By identifying positive intent and the associated need, you can find win-win solutions and foster better communication and collaboration.

For more in-depth analysis, check out another post on our channel where we delve into these concepts with visual aids. I hope this helps. On we go.

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How Is Technology Used In Construction?

Posted on July 26, 2024July 26, 2024 by Nicolas M.

Read 9 min

How is technology used in construction? This is a question I get asked all the time. People want to know what kind of technology construction companies need and where they can get it. In this blog post, I will address what makes good tech work, what makes it go bad and not work, potentially costing you a lot of money, and what are the three keys to having good technology in construction. So, let’s begin.

Technology is crucial to the success of construction. Its importance in our methods and processes has been an absolute game-changer. We have equipment like cranes, pavers, and surveying tools that are out of this world. This type of technology is generally accepted because you can’t fake surveying, paving, or hoisting. This technology has been amazing for the construction industry, speeding up processes and ensuring accuracy. It has been thoroughly tested and proven reliable. For instance, I have zero doubt that when I visit a construction site and see those computer systems running, they will run properly.

When we look at technology for demolition or building with 3D models, there’s little worry because it is thoroughly tested. Using robotic total stations, the proof is in the pudding. However, there is technology that hasn’t been thoroughly tested, and it can hurt us if we’re not careful. Let’s dive into this aspect because it’s important for technology to work for us, not against us.

When we talk about robots, processes, and specific tools, technology has been doing very well. The issues arise when technology attempts to replace human judgment and skills, particularly in project management. Problems occur when people lack the fundamental skills for the technology or when technology tries to take over tasks best suited for humans.

The 14 Management Principles of The Toyota Way

Jeffrey K. Liker’s book, The Toyota Way, outlines 14 principles, one of which pertains to technology. Here they are:

Always apply a long-term philosophy.
Create continuous flow.
Use pull systems to avoid overproduction.
Go to the place of work and monitor where the work is being done in the field.
Build a Lean culture.
Standardize your tasks.
Use visual controls.
Only use thoroughly tested technology.
Grow leaders to live a Lean philosophy.
Develop people and teams.
Respect your outside network.
Observe and reflect.
Decide slowly and act fast.
Practice reflection all the time.

Technology should be thoroughly tested and observed before being implemented. Here’s a personal story to illustrate this. When I first started learning AutoCAD to become a field engineer, I saw a clear pattern. The technology had a definite purpose but was initially difficult to use and implement. Over time, it became easier, streamlined, and eventually did more than a human drafts person could do. AutoCAD and Revit became game changers, enhancing the design and coordination processes while maintaining best practices. This is the pattern all technology should follow.

Examples of Helpful Technology in Construction

Technology should do tasks that humans shouldn’t so that humans can focus on what they should do. Here are some great examples of technology that follows this pattern:

Equipment technology
Building information modeling (BIM)
Laser scanning
Various VDC (Virtual Design and Construction) technologies
Engineering and architectural software

When technology is problematic, it often tries to replace tasks best done by humans or is used without proper understanding. Examples include project management tools, scheduling software, and some types of layout technologies. These issues arise when the technology:

Does not align with time-honored, tested strategies.
Does not enable user training, leading to knowledge gaps.
Attempts to automate tasks that require human judgment.

How to Test Construction Software

When testing software for construction:

Ensure it follows proven methodologies.
Verify it facilitates user understanding and training.
Confirm it performs tasks suitable for automation, not replacing human judgment.

A recent example is a sticky note program that automated collaboration. While automation can be helpful, humans should handle the collaborative aspects, while the software should aid in data analysis and making information accessible.

The Importance of Thoroughly Testing Software

Thoroughly vetting your software is crucial. It’s tempting to invest in new, shiny technologies, but they should be as useful as YouTube, as addictive as Facebook, and as quick as Wikipedia. The technology should enhance user understanding and efficiency without replacing fundamental human skills.

In conclusion, technology should streamline processes, not complicate them. Carefully test and observe any technology before implementation to ensure it meets these criteria. For more insights, check out the linked podcast, which will broaden your perspective and help avoid costly mistakes. I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog post. On we go!

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How To Manage Multiple Construction Projects

Posted on July 26, 2024July 26, 2024 by Nicolas M.

Read 7 min

Managing multiple construction projects is a complex and challenging task, but with the right methods, it can be done effectively. Here, we outline 12 essential steps to manage multiple projects well, five key rules of flow to remember, and the reasons why you should avoid managing multiple projects if possible.

Why You Should Avoid Managing Multiple Construction Projects

The first step is to try not to manage multiple projects simultaneously. It’s incredibly challenging and can be detrimental to your mental health, schedule, and personal life. If circumstances force you to manage multiple projects, following lean methodologies is crucial.

Important Lean Methodologies to Follow in Construction

Lean methodologies can be applied to any part of your work. If you have opportunities for training or certification programs to learn about them in more detail, please do so. Here are some key concepts:

1. 5S

5S is a systematic and standardized way to organize your areas, emails, and systems every day. It involves:

Sort: Get rid of what you don’t need.
Straighten: Organize what you have.
Sweep/Shine: Clean your area.
Standardize: Ensure consistency in processes and systems.
Sustain: Maintain these habits daily.

2. One Piece Flow

Focus on completing one task or process at a time without switching focus. For example, complete all steps for a submittal in one go.

3. Flow Together

Ensure that everyone on your team is working in a coordinated manner, prioritizing tasks and flowing to completion together.

4. Visual Management

Move everything into highly visible environments, whether online or in-person, so that the whole team can see, know, and act as a group.

5. Continuous Improvement

Work as a team to solve real problems and continuously improve processes.

The 12 Steps to Managing Multiple Projects Well

1. Get Everything Organized

Organize all project information in one spot, not in emails. Use project management software or a centralized file structure.

2. Identify Your Teams

Know who your teams are and establish great communication channels, such as text chats, phone numbers, and meetings.

3. Know When to Check In

Establish a standard meeting process and schedule regular check-ins with your teams.

4. Provide Clarity

Ensure each team has clarity on their tasks and responsibilities after meetings.

5. Consolidate Your Focus

Try to focus on one project at a time by consolidating meetings and tasks related to each project.

6. Time Block Your Activities

Time block your interactions and tasks to avoid distractions and maintain focus.

7. Work in Day-Tight Compartments

Plan your day with buffers and execute the plan without distractions.

8. Create Failsafes

Ensure there are backup systems and duplicate coverage for critical tasks if you’re unavailable.

9. Create Buffers

Build extra time into your schedule to handle unexpected issues.

10. Get Help

If needed, hire an assistant, project engineer, or other support staff to help manage the workload.

11. Track Leading Indicators

Monitor key performance indicators that will make the most difference in your projects.

12. Improve Continuously

Always seek ways to improve your processes and systems to reduce waste and increase efficiency.

Learn More with These Resources

Following these steps and lean methodologies can help you manage multiple construction projects more effectively, reduce stress, and improve overall project outcomes. For more detailed information on managing construction projects, check out our other resources linked below.

Remember, it’s crucial to have a system in place to avoid chaos, stay focused, and get your work done efficiently. By doing so, you can ensure successful project completion and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

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