Elevate Construction

Jason Schroeder
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Jun 6, 2024 • 12min

Ep.1097 - Meetings Are NOT Sacred Cows

Are your meetings dragging your team down instead of lifting them up? In this episode, Jason gets raw and real about one of the biggest productivity killers in construction meetings that suck and why we tolerate them like sacred cows. Discover: ✅ Why most people are afraid to speak up in meetings ✅ How to flip the script and turn meetings into high impact gatherings ✅ A powerful story about family, leadership, and maturity you won't forget ✅ Why Elevate is asking for your help (and how we’re balancing risk, growth & service) This episode is part leadership call to action, part emotional gut check, and all fire. Listen in if you're ready to lead with intention, challenge the status quo, and stop settling for anything less than remarkable. 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
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Jun 6, 2024 • 16min

Ep.1096 - There Is No Substitute for Fundamentals

In this episode, Jason Schroeder dives into the chaos of boat ramps, and draws a brutally accurate parallel to what’s really going wrong in construction. 💥 Just because you’ve got the gear doesn’t mean you’ve got the game. 💥 Titles, tech, and tools don’t matter if you don’t know how to use them. 💥 Want to avoid wrecks on site and at the lake? Learn the fundamentals. From backing trailers to leading superintendents, Jason shares hilarious observations, hard truths, and a bold callout to an industry addicted to shortcuts and allergic to training. Whether you're a builder or a leader, this episode will hit home.   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
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Jun 4, 2024 • 11min

Ep.1095 - The Virtual PM Boot Camp

In this podcast we cover: What you will learn. Why it matters. Think your project can succeed with a CPM schedule alone? Think again. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the Virtual Project Manager Bootcamp, a four-day course designed to transform the way you run projects. You’ll learn why projects fail, how the Integrated Production Control System works, and why takt planning is the backbone of every successful schedule. I’ll share how my own experience in 4D scheduling exposed the flaws of CPM and proved that takt isn’t optional, it’s essential. With exercises, free resources, and practical tools, this bootcamp is built to make an immediate impact. If you want to run lean, remarkable projects, this is the training you’ve been waiting fo 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  
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Jun 3, 2024 • 11min

Ep.1094 - Your Project Is NOT Unique

In this podcast we cover: How a common process and system can fit all. Why your project is not unique. How you can get rid of your mental block. Is your project really that different or is that just an excuse? In this episode, I break down one of the biggest lies in construction: the idea that “our project is special.” From tilt panels to hospitals to airports, I’ve seen teams claim they’re the exception. The truth is, they’re not. Operational excellence applies everywhere, every time, and it’s the fastest way to turn chaos into flow. I’ll show you why the belief that your project is unique is a mental block holding you back, and how systems like Takt, Last Planner, and Scrum can transform any project. If you’ve ever said “this doesn’t apply here,” this episode will change your mindset 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  
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Jun 3, 2024 • 13min

Ep.1093 - The Diagonal Line - People

In this podcast we cover: Why people come first. Why production is enabled by that first focus. What if the most important line in construction isn’t in a contract but on a schedule? In this episode, I reveal why the diagonal trade flow line is the key to success and why so many misunderstand it. You’ll discover the crucial difference between resource efficiency and true trade flow, and why focusing on productivity first is a trap that burns people out. I’ll share real world lessons from project planning, team setups, and even airlines to show why respecting people comes before everything else. If you’ve ever wondered how to build projects without breaking your teams, this episode will change how you see construction 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  
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May 30, 2024 • 15min

Ep.1092 - You Are the Hero

In this podcast we cover: How you are the implementor that matters. Why not resisting change is your superpower. Why we need change-makers like you. Are you resisting change or driving it? In this episode, I break down why our industry needs everyday heroes more than ever. I share why people naturally fight change, how you can overcome resistance, and why you are the miracle construction has been waiting for. You’ll hear real stories about leadership, integrity, and the tough choices that define careers. I reveal how supers, PMs, and foremen can stand together to shift the balance of power in construction overnight, just like the ants in A Bug’s Life. If you’ve ever wondered whether your role truly matters, this episode will convince you that you are the hero we’ve been hoping for. 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  
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May 30, 2024 • 17min

Ep.1091 - Professional Babies

In this podcast we cover: How your schedule is already behind. How most owners and reps act like professional babies. What if some of the biggest challenges in construction aren’t technical at all but behavioral? In this episode, I dive into the concept of “professional babies,” owners, reps, and contractors who act like toddlers when projects don’t go their way. You’ll hear why CPM scheduling is broken, how it creates chaos in the field, and why superintendents and project managers must own their production plans. I’ll also share updates on books, bootcamps, and resources designed to help you implement lean systems that actually work. If you’re tired of toxic environments and unrealistic expectations, this one will hit home. Tune in and learn how to replace babyish behavior with true leadership in construction. 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  
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May 28, 2024 • 9min

Ep.1090 - All Things on One Page

In this podcast we cover: Why seeing things on one page is magic. What things have been reduced to one page to enable human capacity? In this episode, I share a breakthrough perspective on why seeing everything on one page transforms the way we lead projects. I reflect on feedback from industry professionals who are scaling Takt across dozens of jobs, and I dive into how tools like A3s, lift drawings, infographics, dashboards, Kanban boards, and Takt plans all work because they simplify complex systems into a single clear view. I draw comparisons between the old days of flipping through plan sets with your fingers and today’s digital environments that sometimes make us feel disconnected, showing why context and visualization are essential for problem solving. You will learn why one-page clarity is not just convenient but critical for project executives, directors, superintendents, and anyone who wants to truly understand and lead their projects. This episode will challenge you to rethink how you present information to your teams and inspire you to embrace the genius of one-page systems to elevate performance. 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
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May 28, 2024 • 9min

Ep.1089 - How Do You Schedule Renovations?

In this podcast we cover: How smaller companies schedule their work. Other tips that can help for smaller more variable projects. In this episode, I answer a listener’s question about how to schedule small residential renovation projects when CPM and Gantt charts keep failing. These projects may be smaller in budget and scope, but they involve multiple trades that must be coordinated effectively. I explain why takt planning works even for small renovations, how to use a time by location schedule to identify gaps and stacking, and how to overlay multiple projects to balance resources. I also emphasize the importance of preparing work packages and making schedules visual on huddle boards so crews can align. If you are in residential or renovation work and struggle with slipping schedules, this episode will show you a practical system to create flow and predictability. 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  
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May 22, 2024 • 13min

Ep.1088 - Should you Spend Time as a Super to be a PM?

In this podcast we cover: Why it is a great idea to spend time as a super. What you will learn there. In this episode, I share some inspiring listener feedback and a powerful book recommendation on employee engagement. I also dive into two important questions. First, I explain why CPM schedules fall short and why takt planning is the only true foundation for creating 4D schedules that connect to reality. Then I answer a young professional’s question about building a successful project manager career. I highlight why spending time as a superintendent is essential for developing the builder mindset, learning respect for the trades, and staying grounded in the flow of work. This episode blends leadership, scheduling, and career advice into practical guidance that can elevate your path in construction. 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  

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