Treating People Well Is Part of the Job And Why You Shouldn’t Chase the Big Project
I want to get real for a moment about two things we don’t talk about enough in construction: how we treat people is part of the job, and chasing big projects won’t always get you where you want to go.
Respect Is a Skill. Master It.
Let’s be honest being technically good at what you do isn’t enough. I don’t care if you’re a PM, superintendent, designer, or inspector. If you don’t know how to treat people with respect, you’re not leading you’re either managing or doing damage.
I’ve seen it all:
- The PM who talks down to trade partners
- The designer who treats field teams like they’re beneath them
- The superintendent who throws a hard hat instead of having a conversation
- Field leaders who ignore their teams or belittle their efforts
And it doesn’t just happen on the jobsite. I once went in for a heart specialist appointment, and the doctor completely dismissed me for also seeing a naturopath. The whole visit was toxic, judgmental, and ultimately unhelpful.
I went in for health and left demoralized.
Why does this matter in construction? Because we do the same thing to each other. When we bulldoze conversations, dismiss people’s perspectives, or lead through fear, we erode trust and destroy collaboration.
If you want to lead a crew, learn to say please and thank you. Be kind. Be clear. Be present. If you want to scale a team, learn to listen. Learn to include. Learn to connect.
How we treat people is part of the job.
Stop Chasing Big for the Sake of Big
I used to obsess over big projects. I wanted to work on the $250M hospitals, the billion-dollar campuses, the mega-programs with all the prestige. But every time I got close, something would block it. At the time, I was frustrated. Now? I’m grateful.
I’ve seen more great builders chewed up and spit out by mega-projects than anywhere else.
Big projects look glamorous, but behind the scenes, they’re often political, unstable, and driven more by ego than by team care. They lose the intimacy and clarity that smaller projects thrive on.
Here’s the truth:
The most noble thing you can do is run a $5M–$150M project with excellence, stability, and flow.
It’s not about size. It’s about quality.
Final Thoughts
The big doesn’t make you better. Being good to people does. Delivering stability does. Showing up with purpose does.
Key Takeaway:
Treating people with dignity isn’t optional it’s foundational. And chasing massive projects won’t automatically elevate your career. The real power of leadership shows up not in how big your job trailer is, but in how you show up for your people.
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
