Elevate Construction

From Hammer to Hero: The Team-Building Genius of Mark Story Ever wondered how the best construction leaders turn chaotic projects into high-performing teams? In this episode, Jason sits down with Mark Story, a 37-year industry veteran with roots in the trades and a reputation for transforming troubled jobs into thriving team environments. Mark isn't just a builder; he's a relationship architect. They dive deep into the habits, mindset, and philosophies that set Mark apart: how he listens to lead, empowers others to win, and creates project cultures where people feel safe, supported, and inspired. From letting people fail on purpose to showing up like their biggest fan, Mark’s leadership lessons will change how you think about team dynamics on any construction site. Core Habits for Effective Leadership and Connection: Look, listen, and feel: Stay present and tuned into your surroundings and team. Help people win: Focus on empowering others to succeed. Mark ‘L’ at the top of your notepad to remind yourself to listen: A visual prompt to stay in listening mode. Be curious: Approach challenges and people with genuine interest. Ask thoughtful questions: Use inquiry to understand, not to control. Make intentional time to connect: Prioritize meaningful engagement with your team. Watch how you ask: Frame questions in a way that invites honesty and collaboration. Try not to lead the witness: Avoid biasing responses; let insights surface naturally. Let people fail safely: Give room for learning and growth through experience. Care enough to have tough conversations: Address real issues with courage and compassion. Plan using visual learning tools: Make information accessible, clear, and easy to act on.   Contact Mark Story: Mark Story. Commercial Construction Services LLC. Construction Consulting. Cell 612-968-0257 Mark@storyccs.com 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

Are you a leader who brings clarity or chaos? In this bold and refreshing episode, Jason Schroeder tackles two tough truths: Why blaming owners for not doing Lean is just an excuse. And what it really means to be a toxic seagull on the jobsite. He unpacks a real conversation with a former CEO who claimed Lean wasn’t used because “owners didn’t want to pay for it.” Jason respectfully calls BS and explains why doing the right thing isn't optional for real builders. Then it gets personal. Have you ever flown into a project, stirred things up, then flown back to corporate thinking you “added value”? You might be a toxic seagull. This episode will challenge how you show up as a leader, how you serve your team and whether you’re dropping solutions… or just dropping crap.   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

In this episode, Jason goes off in the best way about a crucial mindset shift: When something breaks down do you fix the system, or blame the people? Do you create buffers or bulldoze schedules in the name of “efficiency”? Do you lead or just criticize? 💥 Inside this episode: Why buffers create flow, not waste. The real difference between excellence and perfection. Why comparing everything to “data centers” is a joke. How control on a jobsite is either disrespectful or necessary depending on how you do it. A raw take on leadership, culture, and what happens when feedback loops are broken. If you’re tired of buzzwords, ready for real improvement, and want to lead better, 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

Ever feel like your team is sprinting straight into a wall? In this thought-provoking episode, Jason Schroeder breaks down why rushing without clearing roadblocks is one of the most dangerous habits in construction. Using a powerful analogy (spoiler: it involves smashing into walls), Jason challenges one of the most common misapplications of the Last Planner System and percent plan complete (PPC). Discover how a simple language problem—calling everything a “constraint”—is wrecking your team’s ability to plan, prioritize, and stay safe. If you’ve ever been frustrated with chaotic boards, missed milestones, or wasted effort, this is the podcast that will shift your thinking for good. Ready to stop running into walls and start leading with clarity? Hit play 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

Why Are Trades Flooding the Jobsite with Inventory? It’s Not What You Think… In this eye-opening episode, Jason uncovers a surprising root cause behind excessive trade inventory—and it’s not poor planning or laziness. What if the real issue is a lack of rhythm on your jobsite? Discover how chaos in scheduling triggers a domino effect of waste, inefficiency, and frustration. Whether you're a GC or a trade partner, this one insight could change how you view planning forever. 🎧 Tap in now to hear the aha moment that flipped Jason’s thinking—and might just flip yours too!     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

Why Temporary Climate Control Could Save Your Project Think temp cooling is a luxury? Think again. In this episode, I share real-world stories from hospital builds, research labs, and scorching-hot job sites where climate control made or broke the schedule. You’ll hear why relying on permanent air handlers too soon can be a costly mistake and how a $40,000 investment in temp cooling can protect your equipment, your crew, and your delivery date. We’ll break down the true costs, the hidden risks, and the climate-specific factors that can make or break your decision. From protecting expensive permanent units to keeping your trades productive in brutal heat and humidity, I’ll show you the numbers and the strategy behind the smartest choice. Whether you’re building in Florida’s humidity, Arizona’s dry heat, or anywhere in between, this episode will change how you plan your next 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

Being an Influencer Doesn’t Give You the Right to Be Mean In this episode, I dive into the ugly side of sharing online, why some people feel entitled to attack, insult, or dismiss influencers just for speaking up. I share personal experiences from my journey, defend the value of respectful debate, and explain why I believe 95% of potential voices stay silent because social media isn’t a safe space. We’ll talk about the difference between critiquing a system and tearing down a person, how to disagree without disrespect, and why the industry loses when we let personal attacks drive people offline. From Taylor Swift to Lean Construction debates, this episode challenges us all to raise the bar for how we treat each other, online and off. Whether you post daily or never hit “publish,” you’ll walk away thinking differently about the culture we create together.     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

Baselines vs. Baseline Strategies: Why One Works and the Other Doesn’t In this episode, I break down why traditional CPM baselines lock you into failure and how baseline strategies give you the flexibility to deliver. You’ll learn the difference between a static baseline that owners love to weaponize and a living strategy that keeps your team aligned while adapting to reality. We’ll cover the dos and don’ts, how to use a baseline strategy in Takt planning, and why tracking milestones beats obsessing over baseline comparisons every time. If you’ve ever been trapped by a schedule you couldn’t change, this episode will show you a better way to plan, communicate, and succeed.     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

Innovation Has a Starting Point, Don’t Reinvent the Wheel Innovation is essential, but too often in construction, we waste time and money “starting from scratch” or tearing down the work of others just to be different. In this episode, I share why the smartest innovators always begin with a solid starting point and then move forward from there. You’ll hear how rigid companies can remove their “innovation ceiling,” how overly loose companies can stop duplicating effort, and why stability and standards are the foundation of true continuous improvement. I also share my process for building on industry knowledge from LeanTakt to integrated planning while giving credit to those who came before. If you want to foster real innovation without wasting resources, this episode will help you create a culture where ideas evolve instead of being reset.     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

Takt Planning for Long Horizontal Runs: Ducts, Electrical, and More What do you do when a duct run, electrical home run, or ceiling grid needs to stretch across multiple zones? In this episode, I break down real-world takt planning strategies for integrating long horizontal buildouts without slowing your project down. I share examples from complex projects, including the Bioscience Research Laboratory, where careful sequencing, concurrent work, multiple wagons, and phase-specific zone sizes kept crews moving and schedules on track. If you’ve ever struggled with how to zone for operations that can’t be contained in a single area, this episode will give you practical, tested methods to keep takt flow steady while handling the unique challenges of horizontal builds.     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