Leading Without the Ladder: Mark Whitson’s Path at DPR

Mark Whitson started at DPR with tools in hand, fresh out of college. Today, he's president of one of America's most respected construction companies. His journey reveals why DPR keeps top talent for decades while other companies struggle with turnover.

Key insights: Career paths aren't ladders—they're rock walls requiring lateral moves and creative problem-solving. Culture survives when everyone owns it, not just leadership. The best stretch opportunities come with clear success criteria and strong internal coaching.

Whitson's leadership philosophy: helping others turn the perceived impossible into possible. His advice for retention? Empower people to walk away from projects that don't align with company values.

Connect with Mark and DPR: Visit DPR Construction to learn more about their innovative approach to building. And if you're ever near Pinehurst, North Carolina, check out Mark's golf course recommendation: Tobacco Road Golf Club – challenging, beautiful, and worth the trip.

 

90-Day High-Performance Dashboard

You can't afford to let your people drift.

To drive real performance, you must coach with clarity and purpose.

 

Use the 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard to:

• Get clear on what matters most.

• Drive focused action and accountability.

• Strengthen trust and deepen relationships.

 

Success doesn't happen by accident.

It happens when leaders coach with precision and consistency.

Download the 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard here: https://www.constructiongenius.com/high-performance-in-a-new-role

Coach your team toward real results — one conversation at a time.

 

 

Resources to Help You Win in Construction

📖 Construction Genius Book – No B.S., practical, hands-on leadership, strategy, sales, and marketing advice for construction companies. Click this link to buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/

🎯 The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader – Master the leadership skills you need to succeed in construction. Click this link to learn more and enroll: https://theshift.constructiongenius.com

☎️ Book a 10-Minute Call with Eric Anderton – If you want to discuss how I can help you coach your leaders, let’s connect. Book a 10-minute conversation here: https://10minutes.youcanbook.me

🎧 Subscribe & Share If this episode hit home, share it with your sales team. And don’t forget to leave a review—it helps more construction leaders find Construction Genius!