Elevate Construction

What if you could combine the strengths of CPM with the power of Takt without falling into the traps that derail most projects? In this episode, Jason breaks down exactly how to align Takt and CPM so they work together, not against each other. You’ll learn: Why Takt should always come first as your production plan. How to set up the deliverable and update cycles the right way. What superintendents, trade partners, and owners should actually see. The correct way to handle delays and keep projects legally covered without panic, overtime, or waste. This is the roadmap for builders who want structure, flow, and clarity in their schedules. If you’ve ever wondered how to use CPM without letting it run your project, this episode will change the way you plan.    Don’t just schedule build with flow. Listen now.   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

Construction is tough but does it have to break people? What if resilience could be built into our teams just like steel and concrete? In this powerful conversation, Stephanie Wood (CEO of CoBuild Construction) and Jordan Leytem (Field Operations Manager) share how they’re reshaping construction culture by focusing on people first. Their work brings neuroscience, leadership, and heart together to create teams that don’t just survive the pressures of the industry but actually thrive. We cover: The science of resilience: expanding and returning to your “window of tolerance”. Why grit and resilience aren’t the same and why you need both. Real strategies for helping supers, foremen, and trade partners regulate under stress. The power of naming emotions to reset thinking and problem-solving. How leaders can measure what truly matters: flourishing people, not just profits. If you’ve ever felt the burnout, pressure, or fight-or-flight mode of construction leadership, this episode will give you a new framework and real tools for building trust, balance, and resilience on your projects and in your life. 🎧 Listen now and learn how to build people, not just 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

What if working 70-hour weeks wasn’t the badge of honor the industry makes it out to be? What if the real mark of leadership was giving your teams the capacity to succeed and the freedom to thrive? In this episode, Chris Pomey, field operations leader at Manhattan Construction shares how building capacity and focusing on the employee experience can transform both people and projects. From digging ditches and plumbing to leading national teams, Chris’s career is built on one principle: do the right things, at the right time, the right way. We’ll cover: Why the industry’s obsession with long hours is broken and how to fix it. The mantra that drives discipline and frees up team capacity. How to avoid the “RFI death spiral” through better planning. Real-world lessons on balancing productivity, safety, and people’s lives. Why change isn’t hard when teams are hungry for a better experience. If you want to lead projects without burning out your people and actually make construction fun again, this conversation will give you the tools and mindset to get there. 🎧 Listen now and discover how capacity creates innovation, balance, and remarkable results.   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 does it mean to truly give back to the construction industry? For Steve Yots, it’s not just about completing projects, it’s about shaping the next generation, one person at a time. In this episode, Steve shares the powerful story of a $1.3B mega-project that redefined collaboration, trust, and flow. From creating unmovable milestones to writing “Work with Heart, Build with Care” on the tower crane, his approach turned a complex build into a masterclass in teamwork. We talk about: Why the best way to change the industry is one life at a time. How to balance competition with genuine cooperation. The four daily questions that keep Steve focused on teaching, coaching, mentoring, and learning. Why showing up in person, unplanned can transform relationships. The hilarious (and effective) “Are You Ready for My Love?” shirt story. If you want to lead with purpose, build high-performing teams, and leave the industry better than you found it, this is the episode for you. 🎧 Listen now and get inspired to make giving back part of your daily plan. 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

Habits run our lives whether we like it or not. The question is: are they helping you succeed… or quietly holding you back? In this episode, John Coffman shares decades of leadership wisdom on how habits shape your management philosophy, your career, and even your team’s success. You’ll hear why the easiest habits to form are usually the wrong ones, and how to intentionally replace them with routines that build trust, sharpen focus, and actually get things finished. We’ll cover: How unconscious habits dictate your leadership style. The six-part framework that will keep any project or career on track. Why “finishing” is a habit most people fail to develop. Real stories of how small habit shifts created massive results. Listen now and learn how to take control of your habits before they take control of you. 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 do high-performing construction crews and top-tier cooking shows have in common? Full kit - having everything you need in place before the work starts. In this episode, Jason Schroeder break down why full kit isn’t just a Lean buzzword, it’s the difference between smooth production and chaos on site. Using the cooking show analogy, we’ll explore how foremen can set their teams up like master chefs, with every tool, material, and resource ready before “go time.” You’ll learn: The real meaning of full kit and why it matters more than you think. How CPM thinking can derail production (and what to do instead). Why timing and preparation beat “critical path” obsession every time. How to eliminate the last-minute scrambles that kill flow. If you want your crew to run like a well-produced cooking show, no missing parsley, no “where’s the measuring cup?” moments, this episode is for you. 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

Our jobsite boards are supposed to make things clearer but are they actually holding us back? In this episode, I break down the biggest mistakes the industry is making with field boards, from confusing “constraints” with “roadblocks” to locking critical look-ahead schedules inside the trailer where crews can’t see them. You’ll hear: Why our visuals for the Last Planner System are nowhere near where they need to be. The difference between constraints and roadblocks and why mixing them up kills flow. How to rethink board placement so information actually reaches the field. The setup I recommend for maximum clarity, collaboration, and implementation. If you want your boards to actually drive results instead of gathering dust, this one’s for you. 🎧 Listen now and rethink how your team uses field boards because the right setup can transform your entire project. 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

Inside “Final Phase” - The Cleaning Company Raising the Bar in Construction What happens when a team obsessed with quality, lean principles, and customer care decides to start a construction cleaning company? You get Final Phase and it’s not your typical trade partner. In this episode, Jason Schroeder sits down with Matthew, Kevin, and Emilio to reveal: The real story behind Final Phase’s launch and why it’s more than “just a cleaning company.” How Matthew grew a previous cleaning business from $300K to over $1.5M annually and plans to do it again (bigger this time). Why Elevate Construction’s brand and lean approach mean Final Phase can’t afford to do anything less than excellent work. How their systems, staffing, and obsessive attention to detail will deliver spotless results literally and figuratively. The big ask: why they want your projects and how they’ll turn them into showcases for the entire industry. Whether you’re a GC, a trade partner, or just curious about building something remarkable, this is a behind-the-scenes look at launching a company that’s set to change the game in construction cleaning. Listen now and see why “Final Phase” could be the partner your next project needs. 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

Leadership, Laughter & Lessons From the Jobsite (with Jake Smaellie) What do kids on cruise ships, paper straws, and water bottles on construction sites have in common? In this episode, Jason Schroeder and returning guest Jake Smaellie connect the dots in a way only they can with humor, real-life stories, and hard-hitting leadership lessons. You’ll hear: Why asking the wrong questions as a leader can destroy trust faster than any mistake. How to give feedback without shutting down communication. The power (and danger) of public praise when it’s misunderstood. Jake’s battle against the plague of discarded water bottles and some creative (and hilarious) solutions. How small actions, like really listening, can completely change a team’s dynamic. It’s equal parts comedy, chaos, and practical takeaways you can use to lead better whether you’re running a crew, a company, or just your own household. Listen now, you’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll probably never look at a plastic water bottle the same way again. 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 doctors told John Kaufman there were no more treatment options, most people would have given up. John made a different choice. In this deeply moving and inspiring episode, Jason Schroeder talks with John about his 25-year journey living with an incurable cancer a journey filled with setbacks, unexpected blessings, and a daily decision to live fully, not just exist. You’ll hear: The three mindsets people adopt after a life-changing diagnosis and the one that transforms everything. How reframing your thoughts can turn fear into fuel for living. Why community, small moments, and “blessings in disguise” matter more than ever. A life-changing sunrise conversation with a stranger on a Maui beach. The powerful question that every person healthy or not should ask themselves today. Whether you’ve faced illness, loss, or simply the grind of everyday life, John’s story will challenge and inspire you to choose how you live… starting right now. Listen now and discover why living strong is a decision, not a condition. 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