Take one lap around our office, and you’re bound to see multiple team members on the phone or in a meeting. That’s because construction is a talking job at times. From our customers to our subcontractors and our onsite leadership teams, there are many times an email or text is not enough. Getting something built also involves many quality conversations.
In a time when analog communication is so endangered, I think it’s important to remember what makes us effective at communication.
Listen first. The ability to fully give your ear to someone breeds a kind of respect you could never talk your way into.
Make eye contact. There is no substitute for this gold standard. Sincerity (or lack-there-of ) will quickly show through.
Prioritize transparency. If you create a safe space for people to speak up and even respectfully disagree with you, this builds a brand of trust and loyalty that can only be earned.
Keep your promises. This is the big one. Slow down and think before you make a promise, because if you can’t follow through, all that trust you’ve worked so carefully to build can vanish in an instant.
