Owners Trying to Control Their Contractors

Owners Trying to Control Their Contractors

As I reflect on conversations I have had in this industry, one pattern keeps standing out. Owners often try to control contractors through contracts, schedules, and penalties rather than leadership, collaboration, and real accountability. The intention might be to create fairness and accountability, but the outcome is usually toxic, counterproductive, and destructive to both morale and performance.

The Illusion of Control

I once had a heated exchange at LCI with two scheduling leads for a hospital chain. They argued that CPM was invented to hold contractors accountable because owners were not getting projects finished on time. Even if that is true, the reality is that CPM and punitive contracts do not build accountability. They create fear, resentment, and productivity spirals.

Think about it. When an employee struggles, is the solution to yell at them, dock their pay, and add more work? Of course not. That only makes things worse. Yet that is exactly how many owners treat contractors through CPM schedules, slippage reports, liquidated damages, and recovery dictates. It is the illusion of accountability, but it produces no real improvement.

The Real Path to Accountability

True accountability does not come from paperwork. It comes from leadership. If a contractor is struggling, I need to first ask: have I built a connection? Have I simplified the task? Have I provided training, resources, and support? Am I enabling decentralized command so they can own their work?

This is exactly what leaders like Jocko Willink teach with the principle of extreme ownership. Problems are not solved by yelling, pushing, or punishing. They are solved by slowing down, analyzing issues logically, and working together toward solutions.

Respect Over Punishment

Instead of using contracts as weapons, we should use Takt planning, lean methods, and production science to stabilize flow and support our trade partners. Owners must understand that they cannot shed risk. It always comes back to them. Creating toxic environments only increases stress, injuries, family strain, and even the devastating mental health challenges we see across construction.

The better alternative is respect. Respect for people, for their best efforts, for their struggles, and for the reality that problems will always happen. Respect means helping instead of punishing, collaborating instead of dictating, and building systems that create stability instead of chaos.

Key Takeaway

Contracts and CPM schedules give owners the illusion of control, but they only make things worse. True accountability and performance come from leadership, respect, and building systems that enable contractors to succeed.