Ep.1381 - Questions for a Newcomer to Construction, Feat. Charles McKenna

🎙️Mentoring the Boss: How to Coach Construction Executives We talk a lot about mentoring field teams but what about mentoring up? In this insightful (and hilarious) episode, Jason Schroeder teams up with two of his favorite humans, Mark Story and Jake Smaellie to flip the script on coaching in construction. Instead of just mentoring superintendents and project engineers, the trio dives into what it really takes to coach executives and why it matters more than you think. 🔥 Tune in for: How to coach the people at the top without losing your head. Why some of the best leaders are also the best students. The power of approachability (and how it builds trust on jobsites). Real talk on “sidecars,” compliment sandwiches, and leadership brands. And yes… a few legendary stories about yelling on staircases, emotional feedback, and bear encounters. Whether you're in the trailer, the boardroom, or somewhere in between, this episode will leave you with practical takeaways on humility, mentoring, and leading by example. 👷‍♂️ If you want better leaders, be one and press play.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

🎙️ Mental Health, Construction, and the Fight to Stay  This is not your typical construction podcast. In one of the most vulnerable and important episodes ever recorded, Jason Schroeder sits down with his close friend and co-host Jake Smaellie to talk about mental health in construction, openly, honestly, and without filters. Jake shares his personal story of battling depression, the loss of his father to suicide, and the quiet weight many in our industry carry every single day. Together, they unpack why construction workers have one of the highest suicide rates in the U.S. even higher than military veterans and what we can actually do about it. This conversation dives deep into: The pressure to “man up” and why it’s killing us. How planning chaos and jobsite stress quietly destroy mental health. The critical difference between committing suicide and dying by suicide. Small, life-saving ways to support our teams and ourselves. Jake’s own tools for navigating depression, and how service might just save your life. This isn’t just for leaders. It’s for every human in a hard hat. If you or someone you love has struggled with mental health or if you want to be part of real change in construction please press play. This episode could be the one that helps someone stay.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

From Military Grit to Construction Growth: A Deep Dive with Charles McKenna  Mid-career in construction? Feeling behind? Think again. In this powerful conversation, Jason Schroeder sits down with Charles McKenna, a military veteran turned project engineer to talk real talk about breaking into the construction industry later in life and still dominating. 💥 They unpack: The 3 must-do moves to thrive in construction (no matter your age). How to lead without a title and avoid the career-killing trap of staying silent. The biggest mistake Jason made in his career (and the two books that saved him). Why dealing with people is more critical than mastering tech. The blunt truth about tech, AI, and the future of our industry. This episode isn’t just for veterans or mid-career pros, it’s for anyone who wants to rise faster, lead smarter, and build a future that matters. If you’re ready to learn the difference between grinding and growing, press play.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

“Play Ball!” – What General Patton Can Teach Us About Project Readiness. In this episode, Jason Schroeder shares a powerful story from WWII and how it directly applies to construction leadership today. You’ll learn how General Patton’s rapid response during the Battle of the Bulge wasn’t just history, it’s a blueprint for operational excellence on modern jobsites. 🔑 Inside this episode: Why waiting isn’t the same as being ready. How to write “Play Ball” orders that trigger instant action. What real pre-construction preparedness should look like. How West Fillmore’s Lean Built project is applying this playbook in real-time. Whether you're waiting on permits, funding, or approvals - are you ready to move the moment the call comes? Patton was. You should be too. 🎧 Hit play and learn how to be three steps ahead.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

When Perfection Gets in the Way of Progress, A Wake-Up Call for PMs. Let’s get real: some project managers confuse control with value. In this episode Jason Schroeder calls out the all-too-common trap of nauseating perfection where PMs overprocess, nitpick, and stall teams in the name of looking polishe but not actually building with excellence. Inside this episode: Why over-perfection is waste, not leadership. How credentials and certifications mean nothing without execution. The difference between aesthetic checklists and real project outcomes. Why great builders simplify, reduce, and enable not complicate. A powerful listener story that proves culture and connection drive performance. If you're more focused on dotting I’s than delivering results, it's time to step back and rethink your impact. 🎧 Tune in now to embrace excellence, not ego. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

Passionless Projects Fail. Don’t Let Yours Be One of Them. In construction, critique is essential but cutting out the heart of a project in the name of safety or consensus? That’s how you kill innovation. In Episode 1378 of the Elevate Construction Podcast, Jason Schroeder draws a bold parallel between Pixar’s recent failure with Elio and what’s happening on too many job sites: over-sanitized planning, zero boldness, and teams afraid to lead with vision. Tune in to hear: Why PPC (Percent Plan Complete) is overrated and what actually drives performance. How over-engineering risk reviews can leave you with a “milk toast” project. The warning signs that your team is playing it too safe. A powerful reminder from a real-world, passion-filled project (BSRL) that broke the mold. 🔥 Fresh eyes reviews and critiques are vital but if you cut the passion, you cut the impact. Listen now and keep your projects bold, beautiful, and builder-led.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

This episode pulls no punches. Jason Schroeder breaks down a hard truth in the construction world, some superintendents are sabotaging themselves and their teams by clinging to outdated habits, sloppy leadership, and inflated egos. He’s not calling out individuals he’s calling out the persona that holds this industry back. You’ll hear: The brutal contrast between Ego-Driven Fools vs. Superintendents 2.0 & 3.0. Real-life examples of toxic leadership and why it fails. 10 clear traits of ego-driven behavior (and how Jason admits to struggling with a few himself). Actionable ways to ditch the ego and build real influence through humility, planning, and leadership. 🔥 Whether you lead crews or aspire to, this episode will challenge how you show up on the jobsite and in life. Don’t just build projects. Build yourself.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

Toxic Culture vs. Healthy Accountability. Where’s the Line? Not all dissent is healthy. Not all questions are constructive. In this episode, Jason Schroeder takes on one of the most nuanced leadership challenges in construction today: How do you build a psychologically safe culture without letting toxic behaviors grow in the shadows? In this episode, Jason dives into: The fine line between speaking up and sabotaging culture. Why “shadow leadership” and gossip can silently erode trust. A list of 20 toxic workplace behaviors every leader must watch for. How to protect your team’s voice without opening the door to dysfunction. A practical script for calling out harmful behavior without becoming toxic yourself. 🔥 If you're a builder, superintendent, or leader struggling to balance openness with order, this episode is a must. It’s raw, it’s real and it just might shift how you lead forever.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

What if the most powerful leadership move on your jobsite isn’t a schedule update or a safety briefing but a heartfelt thank you? In this episode, Mark Story returns to unpack the often-overlooked superpower of appreciation in construction. From walking jobsites with intention to catching workers doing something right, Mark shares real stories that prove how gratitude changes culture, boosts morale, and builds unstoppable crews. Jason and Mark also dive into:✅ Soft skills that separate real leaders from seagulls.✅ The daily rituals that build trust and loyalty.✅ How a two-word phrase can be more valuable than a paycheck.✅ And why your success at work starts at home. Whether you're a general superintendent, project leader, or just getting started in the field this episode will make you rethink how you show up, lead, and connect. 🔊 Hit play and let this episode remind you why people not just plans build remarkable projects. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw  

When the project starts slipping and leadership refuses to plan, what do you do? In this raw, honest episode, Jason responds to a powerful message from a superintendent in Brazil caught in the middle of a $1M project with zero systems and a PM who believes planning is the problem. What follows is a masterclass in field leadership, mental resilience, and how to lead up when everything feels like it’s falling apart. You'll hear: A clear, step-by-step strategy to get ANY project back on track. What to do right now when there’s waste, rework, and no plan in sight. Why “just figure it out as we go” is a toxic excuse (and how to respond when that’s the culture). A heartfelt reminder of why systems aren’t just tools they’re respect for the people who build. This is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever felt stuck, unheard, or on the edge of burnout in construction leadership. If you’ve been told “that’s just how it is,” this episode will remind you: it doesn’t have to be. 👉 Listen now and reclaim your power to lead, even when no one else will.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw