Taking Boot Camp Home, Feat. Michael Chavez

The heart of construction is not just in systems, processes, or technology. It is in the people who live it every day, who bring energy, humility, and positivity to the work. Recently, I had the chance to sit down with Michael Chavez, a project manager at Sky Blue Builders in Denver, Colorado, and a graduate of our SuperPM Bootcamp. Michael is one of those rare individuals who not only takes in the lessons but lives them out with passion. His reflections are a powerful reminder of why culture, planning, and people matter so much in this industry.

Michael shared how the bootcamp gave him the chance to peek behind the curtain at what construction could look like when systems and people align. While tools like the takt system will take time for his company to fully implement, what resonated most deeply was the human side of leadership. He described how he refuses to slip into the negativity that often permeates job sites. Instead, he leaves his ego at home, asks questions of trades, and treats his team with respect. His focus on building humans while building projects stood out as a core lesson.

One of the tools Michael found especially helpful was the 90 Day Planner. He has used it to intentionally design his mornings, structure his days, and protect time for his family. As a father with kids entering high school, he sees planning not just as a work skill but as a way to balance family, personal growth, and leadership. He told me that every morning, over coffee, he maps his day with his family’s needs, his meetings, and the spaces between. Those gaps become opportunities to crush the most important work. This practice has already created a more stable rhythm for him both at work and at home.

Michael also shared how the bootcamp transformed the way he views meetings. Rather than accepting them as an inevitable waste of time, he now approaches them as powerful opportunities to drive clarity and connection. He wants every meeting to be impactful, engaging, and worth the time invested. This shift echoes one of the biggest principles we emphasize: meetings must be structured, visual, and purposeful so information flows directly to the people who need it most.

The interactive nature of the bootcamp also left an impression. From the energy of music to the tennis ball challenges that required full participation, Michael saw firsthand the value of stripping away pretenses and fully engaging. He noticed fellow participants who started the week quiet and reserved, but by the end were actively contributing and learning. That transformation showed him the power of environment and culture in shaping how people absorb knowledge and step into leadership.

Our conversation also touched on books and resources. Michael has nearly worked his way through the entire PM Mural board book list, and he credits those stories and lessons with shaping his thinking. Patrick Lencioni’s fables in particular gave him a framework for meetings and leadership that aligned closely with our system. He did not just stick to the titles that applied to his current role, he dove into CEO, family, and broader leadership books because he wants to be ready for every opportunity that comes his way. That hunger for growth is exactly what makes him a standout builder.

Michael also pointed out that construction is not just about systems but about community. At bootcamp he learned as much from fellow attendees as from the content itself. Sharing experiences with larger GCs from Boston and Canada gave him insights into how companies approach planning, OSHA, and logistics differently. The collective wisdom of peers proved to be just as valuable as the structured curriculum, reinforcing the idea that it takes a tribe to elevate the industry.

As we closed our conversation, Michael challenged other builders with a simple but powerful idea. Plan thoroughly and invest in people. When you plan and stay ahead, you are able to bless the lives of those around you. Leadership is not about control or ego, but about preparing the path so others can thrive. For Michael, that is the essence of building.

Key Takeaway
True leadership in construction comes from planning ahead and building people, creating a culture where teams thrive and projects succeed.