Building Better Leaders and a Healthier Construction Industry
In this blog, we sat down with Jason Sturgeon of Arcade Way finding to talk about his mission, the work he’s doing, and why leadership training in construction is about so much more than just building projects it’s about building people.
Jason has been in construction for nearly 30 years, working his way through roofing, siding, carpentry, and residential, commercial, and even owner’s rep roles. A decade ago, he founded Arcade Way finding, a company built on a simple but powerful idea, construction is a people business, and leadership should start with genuinely caring about crews.
The Heart of Leadership
Arcade Way finding’s programs, including Foreman Basic Training and PM Basic Training, focus on three pillars:
- Leadership: Teaching communication, conflict management, and how to build a real safety culture where crews look out for each other.
- Construction Management Principles: From daily reports and scheduling to RFIs and change orders, the fundamentals that field leaders need to navigate the role.
- Technology: Not about making foremen experts in every new tool, but teaching them a process to approach tech with curiosity and confidence.
At the center of all of this is one question, Are you leading from fear or from love? Jason points out that in construction, many leaders are afraid of being “found out” for what they don’t know. His approach normalizes asking questions, admitting gaps, and replacing fear-driven leadership with care driven leadership.
Beyond Work
Changing Lives
While better leadership creates smoother projects and more profitability, Jason cares most about the human results. Graduates of Arcade’s programs often share stories like:
- Improved relationships with their crews and bosses.
- Better connections with their kids and spouses.
- One participant even credited the program with saving their marriage.
Addressing Industry Challenges
Jason is also leading the Build the Circle Initiative, which sponsors underrepresented groups in construction women, minorities, ESL speakers, LGBTQ workers into leadership roles. With the “silver tsunami” of retiring baby boomers, construction cannot afford to ignore untapped talent. Build the Circle ensures those voices have a path to leadership, with coaching and support for the long haul.
How You Can Support
Jason’s challenge to all of us is simple: when you see someone upset on the job, don’t just fight fire with fire. Slow down, listen, and ask: “Is this coming from fear or love?” That small shift can change relationships, projects, and lives.
And if you want to support Arcade’s mission, sponsoring a student for $2,500 can truly change someone’s career and life forever.
Key Takeaway
Construction is not just about building structures, it’s about building people. By leading with care instead of fear, investing in diverse leaders, and supporting programs like Build the Circle, we can create a healthier, more inclusive, and more sustainable industry for the future.
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
