Last year, we added another benefit for our team that we’re very proud of. For mid- and long-term employees, we now offer sabbaticals with stipends. We wanted to give our team members a chance to take a “bucket list” trip and find inspiration while walking a journey they may not otherwise have the opportunity to …
Good leaders will never eliminate uncertainty, but they can learn to navigate with humility, transparency and being in the present. They communicate what they know and, more importantly, what they do not know, with a dose of kindness thrown in, recognizing that we are all human. These are few traits that I wish the younger …
I recently read an article regarding the balancing act we all face between growing business and taking a pause. The thesis is that building and backing off at the same time can be the right answer if done with the correct foresight. In the past, I’ve discussed times when the smartest play is to say …
I’ve talked a fair amount about mentorship because I feel it’s important. Our people are the heart of our company, and we usually try to partner an assistant project manager with a seasoned PM or senior team member to set the newer hires up for success. This works well for a number of reasons, and we’ve found …
A couple of weeks ago, I was in NOLA visiting my son and his family. We took a long weekend to see some of the sites together and eat a lot of great food. Merrill’s home is across the street from City Park, and I had the opportunity to meet two dynamic women who are …
As many who know us are aware, we are a long-time Target building partner. We’ve worked with them for more than three decades, and the number of projects we’ve completed is now approaching 300. Target has always been ahead of the curve in creating customer experience. For as long as we have built together, they …
On Monday, at age 95, Warren Buffett released his final shareholder letter for Berkshire Hathaway. While he says he’s “going quiet,” the legacy he leaves is incredible. Obviously, he built a solid company and brand, but I like to focus on the kind of leader he’s been. He always seems to have some subtle wisdom, …
All good teams are comprised of both leaders and those who make their mark by being “doers.” Both are equally important and welcomed. We all know a top-heavy organization isn’t sustainable, and having a good mix of personalities makes us much stronger. It takes us all. With this caveat, good leadership is absolutely essential to …
This week, I met with our peer group, which has been a valuable resource to me and our company for the last 10 years. We are comprised of 5 contractors spread coast-to-coast in non-competing markets. Our semi-annual meetings are a time to share best practices and lessons learned, with the hopes of making each of …
When was the last time you or someone on your team contacted a customer without an ask? I recently read an article about relationships in the construction business, and this quote really stuck with me: Trust is the tiebreaker. The gist is that what we do can feel transactional, but those who genuinely care about the …
For years now, we’ve been hearing about the shrinking numbers of skilled craftsmen and construction superintendents as many age out of the workforce and younger folks aren’t coming in the replace them. Sometimes hard problems require creative solutions, and I’m glad to share what I think is a dynamic and viable model. Stewart/Perry is proud …