You Are The Host

What It Means to Be a Great Host on the Jobsite

I’m excited to share some insights on what it truly means to be a great host especially on our job sites. This concept comes from the book Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, which Kate recently read. The book explores ways to create unforgettable experiences and tells story after story of extraordinary service. I wanted to take these ideas and see how they apply directly to construction.

Feedback That Matters

Before diving in, I want to highlight some listener feedback. One follower reached out to say:

“Hey Jason, I’m a big fan of your work. I’ve been following your YouTube channel at about 8K. You’re a huge inspiration. Keep pushing out the great content and knowledge.”

I love hearing this because it reminds me that all the free content YouTube, LinkedIn, this blog is designed to benefit people. Everything we do is here to help, educate, and inspire.

Hospitality Lessons from Restaurants

Kate mentioned a few examples from Unreasonable Hospitality where restaurants go above and beyond to create an amazing experience. The server knows your name, remembers your preferences, and anticipates your needs. It’s an incredible experience that makes you feel valued and cared for.

This got me thinking: if superintendents treated trade partners on site like guests at a five-star restaurant, what would happen? Could we create a remarkable experience that people would genuinely appreciate?

One memorable example was a Mortensen job site I visited. They had:

• Free popsicles and drinks for everyone
• Air-conditioned tents and comfortable morning areas
• Lunch storage, microwaves, fridges, freezers
• Safety stations and clean bathrooms

It felt like a fine dining experience but on a construction site. Workers were treated with care, and the atmosphere was welcoming.

Five Principles of Being a Great Host on a Job Site

Using ideas from Unreasonable Hospitality and my own experience, here are five ways to transform a job site through hospitality:

1. Personalization

Learn your trade partners’ preferences and tailor the experience to them.

• Favorite drinks stocked in the fridge
• Special breakfast requests like pancakes, bacon, and eggs
• Treating crews with personalized touches, like their preferred beers

2. Create Moments of Delight

Surprise and delight your team with thoughtful gestures:

• Ice cream trucks or donuts on site
• Small celebrations for holidays or milestones
• Catered lunches or snacks

3. Empathy

Understand your team on an emotional level and step in to help when needed.

• Listen actively to their challenges
• Participate in tasks to support them when necessary (even if it’s unusual, like slurrying a basement for them)

4. Team Empowerment

Empower your team to make decisions that enhance the guest experience.

• Foster a culture where employees feel confident to go above and beyond
• Recognize and reward thoughtful actions

5. Attention to Detail

Little things matter. Cleanliness, ambiance, and presentation all contribute to the experience:

• Comfortable chairs and well organized meetings
• Quick and helpful RFI processes
• Proper payment practices and recognition of trade partners

Redefining Old School Mindsets

The old, “I’m not here to make friends” mindset is outdated and harmful. Business isn’t a license to be harsh or impersonal. How you treat people in life should reflect how you treat them in business. Treat every job site like a restaurant and your team like valued guests.

If we do this, everything changes trust, morale, productivity, and the overall experience of working on a project. Hospitality on the job site is not just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for building strong teams and successful projects.

Key Takeaway

Treat your job site like a five-star experience and your trade partners like valued guests. Personalization, delight, empathy, empowerment, and attention to detail create a culture of trust and respect that transforms teams and projects alike.