In this blog, we will explore how superintendents can fail spectacularly and take down their entire job while maintaining the ability to avoid responsibility. Whether you’re a construction professional looking to avoid accountability or simply fascinated by how things go wrong, you’re in the right place!
Today, we’re presenting seven key strategies to help you fail as a superintendent. Not only will you create chaos and dysfunction, but you’ll also master the art of blaming others for the mess you’ve made and gain credit for fixing the very fires you started.
Effects of Failing as a Superintendent
Why would anyone want to fail as a superintendent? It’s simple: you get to blame everyone else and use ready-made excuses like, “The new generation doesn’t work hard” or “Supply chain issues.” It’s not your fault, right? And the best part? You get credit for “fixing” the problems you caused, positioning yourself as the heroic firefighter while keeping the chaos alive.
1. Do Not Hold People Accountable
A great way to ensure failure is by making it seem impossible to maintain a clean, safe, and organized job site. Keep the chaos going by not holding anyone accountable, allowing you to badmouth the trades and foremen while elevating yourself. Of course, deep down, you know that the tradespeople are the backbone of the operation, but blaming them keeps you looking important and needed.
2. Do Not Delegate or Work with the Project Manager
By avoiding delegation, you keep all the power. Keeping the plan in your head ensures no one can function without you. If you start delegating and empowering others, they might figure out that they don’t need you, and we can’t have that. You must also avoid working with your project manager (PM); if things go wrong, you’ll need someone to blame.
3. Keep the Plan in Your Head
If no one knows the plan, everyone will have to come to you for answers, ensuring you remain indispensable. Answer your phone all day, every day, and make sure everyone sees how “needed” you are. Don’t even think about sharing your plans or implementing structured processes like Lean or Scrum, which would expose your lack of organization and diminish your control.
4. Skip Steps to Become a Superintendent
Why bother learning the fundamentals of construction, safety, and quality? Just skip ahead to becoming a superintendent without the experience. This way, you’ll avoid creating connections with the team and tradespeople, allowing you to see them as mere objects. The less you know, the less you’ll be held accountable.
5. Lack of Organization
Chaos is your friend! When things are disorganized, it’s harder for anyone to pinpoint who’s at fault, allowing you to stay under the radar. Keep everything a mess, and you’ll have plenty of distractions to hide behind.
6. Do Not Use Technology
Claim that you’re “old school” and don’t know how to use computers. This gives you a perfect excuse to avoid doing actual work and ensures you won’t be expected to improve or modernize your approach. Just walk around pointing fingers and telling others what to do while doing nothing yourself.
7. Do Not Learn Continually
Lastly, resist the urge to learn. Books, courses, or Lean methodologies are dangerous—they might improve your performance! Stick to the tried-and-true excuses like, “I’ve been doing this for 30 years, and I’m not changing now.” If everyone buys into the idea that superintendents don’t learn, you’ll never have to step up or face new challenges.
What Happens If All Superintendents Fail?
If everyone follows these steps, we’ll have an entire industry of mediocrity where no one rises to the occasion. Owners and business leaders will continue thinking they need us, and we can enjoy staying in our comfortable, fixed mindsets.
You’ll learn how to elevate your performance, respect your team, and create a stable, productive environment. But where’s the fun in that, right?
I hope you’ve enjoyed this satirical guide on how to fail as a superintendent. Now go out there and keep that mediocrity alive!
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!
