Why Every Superintendent Needs a Battle Perch
In my blogs, I talk about a concept I call the battle perch a dedicated spot on the project where I can see the entire job site at once. Over the years, I’ve learned that having this elevated, unobstructed perspective changes the way I lead. In the past, I’ve even climbed tower cranes to get that view. Other times, an adjacent building or an upper floor gives me the vantage point I need. The point is simple: leaders build better projects when they can actually see the project.
Recently, while touring a site in San Francisco, I found a natural battle perch built right into the layout of the project. I didn’t even need PPE because the area was protected behind secure guardrails, yet it gave me a perfect bird’s eye view of everything happening below. From that spot, I could observe the flow of work, track progress across different crews, and see how the project was behaving as a living system all without stepping into any active work zone.
This kind of perspective is invaluable for any superintendent, senior superintendent, general superintendent, or field leader. When you can look down and see work fronts, material movement, staging, safety conditions, and crew coordination all at once, you instantly gain clarity you can’t get walking the site at ground level. You begin to notice patterns where things flow smoothly, where bottlenecks form, and where crews might need support or direction. A battle perch helps you lead proactively, not reactively.
Even if your site doesn’t offer a natural vantage point, you can create one. I’ve climbed tower cranes, accessed rooftops of neighboring buildings (with permission), and even relied on drone footage when needed. The method doesn’t matter as much as the outcome: I need a highlevel view so I can lead the project as a whole, not just piece by piece.
This blog is a reminder that great leadership requires perspective. When you consistently step back, look from above, and understand the bigger picture, you position yourself to guide your team with more clarity, confidence, and intention.
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