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 …
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 many years, I’ve thought Malcolm Gladwell is one of the most thought-provoking authors out there. I first read “The Tipping Point” in 2000 and am always interested in what Malcolm shares. One of his most recent discussions involves driverless cars and brought up interesting and thought for me. Can we play it too safe? …
Recently, one of our team members had the opportunity to tour The Academy of Craft Training’s Birmingham campus. The ACT is a public–private partnership between the state’s construction industry and K–12 education, aimed at preparing high school juniors and seniors for careers in the commercial construction sector. They train students who represent every public school …
I recently shared some insights from the annual ABC of Alabama conference in relation to hiring, a major issue in our industry right now. To summarize, the military has figured out how to reach younger folks by offering adventure, purpose, career development and the chance to work with advanced technology. I can testify that this …
Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with a former manager for the great developer Trammell Crow, a major player across several sectors of real estate development in both the U.S. and Europe. He and the company are known for their quality work. My friend recounted an interesting conversation he had with Trammell when he first …
March Madness is upon us, and for the first time ever, I participated in our company’s “March Madness Bracket Challenge” that one of our sharp young APM’s put together. He told me his mother picks the teams based on which mascots she likes, and maybe I should have done the same thing. I might be …