You Are the Hero

I recently received some great feedback from listeners. One superintendent wrote to tell me that Elevating Construction Superintendents helped him tremendously as an up-and-coming leader. That’s the kind of message that fires me up, not because it praises the content, but because it shows people are implementing what they learn and making a difference on their projects.

Before we dive deeper, I want to highlight some of the resources available that not everyone knows about. Elevating Construction Superintendents has over 140 reviews and a 4.6 rating on Amazon. It is designed for PMs, supers, and anyone in construction who wants to anchor themselves in proven principles. This book is not just my ideas, it’s the result of extensive research, notes, cross-referencing, and lessons from years in the field.

We also have Elevating Construction Senior Superintendents, which we’re expanding and rebranding as Elevating Construction Teams. It focuses on building and leading high-performing teams. If you want to be a true leader, that’s your book.

The Takt Planning book is currently being updated to version two. Every time I revisit it, I’m blown away by how clearly it explains lean scheduling systems, Last Planner, Scrum, and operational excellence. There really isn’t another book like it.

Then there’s Elevating Construction Foremen. While other books focus on motivation and union perspectives, this is the only book written specifically for foremen in a lean production system. It’s highly rated and fills a major gap in the industry.

We’ve also translated Elevating Construction Superintendents and Elevating Construction Senior Superintendents into Spanish, and they’ve received strong reviews as well. For surveyors and field engineers, we created a dedicated guide. Even if you’re not a surveyor, you’ll benefit from it if you manage or coordinate with them. One reviewer didn’t like being called out, but the majority of feedback has been five-star, and the book continues to gain traction.

Finally, we’ve built personal organization planners for various roles in construction. These are practical tools to help balance work, manage tasks, and achieve success both professionally and personally.

Now, let’s move into today’s main topic: change.

Kate recently reminded me of something powerful. You are the hero we’ve been hoping for. I don’t share feedback to highlight myself, but to showcase how people are applying these lessons in real life. The ones implementing, experimenting, and scaling improvements on projects are the true heroes.

Here’s the challenge: people resist change. It’s human nature. Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether resistance comes from laziness, fear, or just being stuck in a comfort zone. That’s why the ones who lean into change are remarkable. You are not just resisting out of ego or complacency. You are trying new things, giving feedback, and advancing the industry. That makes you the miracle we need.

Progress comes from action. If all we do is resist, we never discover what works. We can’t test ideas, refine methods, or scale success. But when leaders like you act, experiment, and share what you learn, we move forward together.

I want you to know this: I’m talking directly to you. You are the hero. You are the miracle. You are the one who will change the industry.

And as you grow, you’ll face harder decisions. I’ve seen this in business, in faith communities, and in organizations. The higher you rise, the more you see behind the curtain. Sometimes you’ll be asked to compromise or accept things that aren’t right. That’s when true leadership shows itself.

The truth is this: the dark side wins when good people rise to positions of influence but fail to speak up or make changes. If you’re willing to stand firm, whether that means saying no, making a change, or even walking away, you keep integrity alive.

Imagine if every superintendent and PM today stood together and said:
We will not overburden trades.
We will not disrespect people.
We will not rush and panic.
We will not use broken systems.
We will not compromise ethics.

The industry would change overnight.

Think of the movie A Bug’s Life. Hopper, the grasshopper, realized he and his group were outnumbered by the ants. The same is true in construction. Supers, PMs, foremen, and workers vastly outnumber those clinging to outdated, harmful practices. Together, we have the power to flip the balance and transform the industry.

So thank you. Thank you for not resisting change. Thank you for implementing, for experimenting, for stepping into leadership with integrity. The change may not happen instantly, but with heroes like you, it is absolutely possible.

On we go.

Key Takeaway

The real heroes in construction are those who embrace change, act with courage, and move the industry forward.