Construction Brothers

This week we are in conversation with Kyle Buckett, a retired US Navy SEAL and current author / entrepreneur.00:00 - Becoming a Navy SEALOur guest shares the unlikely path that led him to become a Navy SEAL, reflecting on the lessons learned during his 20-year military career. He describes the SEALs as the "world's most elite university," where leadership and adaptability are put to the ultimate test.We dive into his experiences in the SEALs and how they prepared him for the challenges of entrepreneurship. He discusses the parallels between military discipline and business innovation, offering advice for navigating cultural shifts and fostering growth in self-led teams.08:53 - Leadership is Overrated: The Book"Leadership is overrated," he asserts, as we discuss alternative approaches to leadership that prioritize empowerment and collaboration over hierarchy.11:52 - Cultural Shifts: Changing Mindsets in the MilitaryOur guest shares his experiences in shifting organizational cultures, drawing parallels between military environments and business settings.15:14 - Self-Led Teams vs. Top-Down LeadershipWe dive into the benefits of self-led teams, emphasizing trust, autonomy, and the importance of allowing team members to take ownership of their roles.18:09 - Trust and Empowerment in OrganizationsThe conversation highlights the role of trust and empowerment in building resilient teams, both in military units and in the construction industry. 20:53 - The Importance of Delegation and Team DynamicsDelegation is a cornerstone of effective leadership. Our guest shares how fostering strong team dynamics leads to better outcomes.23:57 - Mental Health in ConstructionThe construction industry faces unique mental health challenges, from high stress to a lack of recognition. We discuss strategies for improving well-being and building appreciation into workplace culture.26:55 - Technology vs. People in BusinessTechnology is vital, but people drive innovation. We examine the balance between technological advancements and the human element, particularly in construction and project management.30:14 - Recognition in the WorkplaceOur guest emphasizes the importance of recognition and appreciation over monetary rewards, exploring how these factors motivate employees and build loyalty.46:28 - Finding PurposeThe discussion shifts to the critical role of purpose, highlighting how a clear sense of direction can help overcome challenges and achieve fulfillment.51:53 - The SEALs and Construction: A Unique PerspectiveThe parallels between the Navy SEALs and the construction industry come into focus. We explore how lessons from the SEALs—teamwork, adaptability, and resilience—translate to construction.01:00:18 - Contracts!Our guest shares insights into the importance of clear contracts, collaboration, and trust in managing successful construction projects.01:14:29 - Revolutionizing the Construction IndustryWe wrap up with a look at innovative approaches to project management and sustainability. The conversation highlights how the industry can evolve to meet future challenges while staying people-focused.Check out Kyle's book! https://www.amazon.com/dp/006320990X?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_9JFR28X7XSXD855V2PAT&peakEvent=5&dealEvent=1&language=en-USCheck out the partners that make our show possible.Find Us Online: Our Website - LinkedIn - YouTube - Instagram - Facebook - TikTokIf you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to us!Thanks for listening.

Man, it’s been a long few years. Let’s allow ourselves to step out of the weeds for a minute.   Today, Heady Eddie shares the concept of benevolent detachment and a few other insights from the book Resilient. The message from that book? Sometimes you need to let it go.   You can’t do it on your own.    Sometimes you need to hand your situation off to something greater than yourself. Give yourself the favor of giving up the problem–not surrendering to apathy but allowing yourself to rest.    Step away from the situation in order to rise above it. Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fouad Khalil, an expert in industrial construction, shares invaluable insights on the evolving dynamics of the construction industry. He discusses the challenges of labor shortages and the vital role of vocational training to prepare the next generation. Automation and robotics are highlighted as key players in enhancing efficiency and reducing waste. Fouad also emphasizes the importance of adapting financial structures to support industrialized construction, arguing that understanding customer needs is essential for future success in this rapidly changing industry.

You know what we have to say about your positivity?  NO! Actually, today we’re talking about how this word can be a way to be positive.  Eddie explains that your nos are more positive than your yeses.  Both yeses and nos come in seasons. Tyler explains that he and the family are headed into a season of nos.  We discuss the feelings that come along with a good, solid no. Although there might be some intimidation and unease, Tyler said the dominant feeling for him is usually relief.  The unwillingness to say no can lead to grudgingly spoken yeses, which aren’t good for anyone. Be a good picker. Monitor your opportunities. Think them through. Don’t lock yourself in because of your people-pleasing tendencies.  Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Measure, cut, walk, remeasure, repeat. If that sounds fun, then Ben Blumer of ShapeMeasure isn’t the interview you want to turn on. Ben sits down with us to discuss the automation of floor cutting, specifically stairs. If you've ever laid any type of flooring, you know stairs are the least forgiving area of the project. Ben talks about how we can increase profitability by increasing cutting efficiency, and accuracy of quotes while decreasing the experience needed. His background with robotics and algorithms has turned point clouds into touchdowns and we love it. Related Links Construction Junkie ArticleTech Crunch Video - ShapeMeasureBen’s LinkedInShapeMeasureThanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating or review and follow us on our social accounts! SUBSCRIBE!      Like us on LinkedIn!      Like us on Facebook!    Follow us on Instagram!Eddie's LinkedIn      Tyler's LinkedIn      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dive into the art of networking with fascinating strategies to connect with industry influencers. Discover how social gatherings can transform your connections into powerful relationships. Learn the value of hosting informal events to attract key individuals and create future opportunities. Gain insights from personal experiences that can bolster your professional brand or business.

What if Santa decided to expand his operation? NOTE: If you’re interested in construction in extreme conditions, explore the links at the end of these show notes. 00:40 - IntroWe are dressed to the 9s and ready to help the Big Guy. Today we’re discussing what Santa would need to do to build a second headquarters at the South Pole in order to cut down on delivery times. As our template, we’re using the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station as our model. Here are some facts about that structure:It sits on a sheet of ice that is 9,000 feet thick.The temperatures range from -117 degrees to +7.52 degrees Fahrenheit.The ice sheet on which it sits shifts roughly 33 feet per year.The project cost $175 million. In our Santa plans, we made some adjustments for inflation and settled on roughly $2,600 per square foot, which would put the total cost at roughly $3.14 billion.The center has 45 10,000-gallon fuel tanks for heating and vehicles.07:36 - Labor Costs and ComplicationsEddie rails against the millennial elves–their lack of motivation, lack of skills. It’s shameful. This is complicated by the fact that construction workers at the South Pole are able to work outdoors for only 15 minutes at a time due to the extreme cold. We discuss what infrastructure employee-relations efforts would be needed for the elves to work through the 110-day outdoor construction season. 14:20 - Materials and TransportationAgain using the Amundsen-Scott Research Center as a guide, we discuss what it would take to ship all of the construction materials needed. 25 million pounds of cargo was hauled to the build site at 26,000 pounds per trip over 12 seasons on an Air Force LC130 plane.20:52 - Other Facts about Antarctica and Amundsen-Scott South Pole StationWe review some political facts about Antarctica as well as the research done there. This research includes glaciology, geophysics and seismology, ocean and climate systems, astrophysics, astronomy, and biology. We discuss the complications of hiring people to work in an extreme environment like this. The structure is mounted on 32 vertical columns that are each six feet into the snow and designed to be able to be added to as the snow pack increases. These columns are mounted on a floating footing made of 2x12 members boxed with ¾” plywood.If you’re interested in learning more about real South Pole structures, explore these links: The B1M video Eddie mentioned about construction in AntarcticaA video of Jerry Marty, NSF project manager, discussing the construction of the Amundsen-Scott Research Center.The official NSF siteA 3-part Tour of the Facility (Link is to part 1)NatGeo video about construction at the South PoleArticle about Antarctic buildings and basesCheck out the partners that make our show possible.Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - TikTok - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedInIf you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening

Yes, you’ve probably heard this story before. It’s one that’s worth hearing again. Here’s a link to the text in case you’re interested in following along or reading it again later.Merry Christmas, everyone. Check out the partners that make our show possible. Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - TikTok - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedInIf you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!

We open today with a discussion about the latest epidemic in the US. Yes, we’re talking about the epidemic of pickleball-related injuries. Here’s the story in Bloomberg.   Then we move on to a topic that John Roach brought to Eddie’s attention recently. It’s all about architects and the pricing of their services.    It all goes back to the Sherman Anti-trust Act, which was enacted in 1890 to address the problem of monopolies.    In the 1860s, Richard Morris Hunt sued a client who failed to pay his 5% fee. In doing so, he unknowingly set 5% as the industry standard for architect fees.   By the 1950s, the AIA had formalized a somewhat complicated fee structure for various architectural services.      In the late 1960s, concerns arose that this fee structure was a form of price fixing. The Justice Department investigated and found that it did, indeed, violate the Sherman Anti-trust Act. In 1972, they issued a “consent decree,” which amounted to a settlement that outlined how the AIA could and could not behave going forward. (If you’d like to geek out on details, go here.).    Here’s the 2022 AIA compliance guide.    After reviewing this history, we discuss the complications of defining the scope of an architect’s work and getting clarity on that when it comes to the architect’s fees. It can become a race to the bottom. These complications have affected the way that contractors relate to owners and designers.    We compare these patterns to the patterns within fees for engineering services.    The question all of this leads to is this: “How do we argue for spending more money on design when it’s hard to know what I’m buying?”   We discuss the challenge of bank loans based on permit designs, as well as owners who don’t know how complicated the design process is.    Tyler really wants a Ford Raptor… What does that have to do with architecture fees? Well, when you buy a truck, you know what options you’re paying for and how they affect the price. Eddie explains that he’d like to see that kind of manufacturing mindset influence the designing and bidding process in construction.    We ponder the F1 price cap as an analogy for how things could play out if people were to spend more money on design.   Our Megaphone Message: Define value. Then buy value. Buy more design. Work with your lender and explain that this project can be much more successful if more money is invested in design. Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.   Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Explore vital tips for engineers that focus on practical experience and collaboration. Schedule field visits with subcontractors to gain hands-on insights into your projects. Avoid vague contract notes like 'See Arch' by ensuring thorough communication and due diligence. Lastly, embrace humility in your work; moving away from a 'not my job' mindset fosters better relationships and teamwork, leading to more successful outcomes.