What we choose to recognize says everything about what we value.
In construction, we often default to celebrating the most visible efforts: the last-minute saves, the all-nighters, the people who jump in during a crisis. Too often, we wear long hours like a badge of honor in this business, swapping war stories about rescuing projects from the brink. I’ve heard countless tales—lost weekends, late nights, canceled vacations, missed birthdays—portrayed as noble sacrifices that are rewarded accordingly.
These stories are familiar and compelling, and they’ve shaped how recognition works across our industry. But they don’t tell the whole story—and if we’re not careful, they can send the wrong message about what success really looks like.
While I’ll always be grateful for that kind of dedication, I have to ask: Are we celebrating the wrong things?
At Skiles Group, we’ve been working to change that mindset.
We believe in celebrating the people who live our Core Values—Do the Right Thing, Serve with Passion, Work Together, and Be Curious—not just those who pull a project out of the ditch at the last minute. Every quarter, our team members nominate peers who exemplify these values, and we publicly recognize them with a Core Value Coin and a gift card. It’s a simple, consistent reminder of the behavior we want to reinforce—not just in a crisis, but every day.
Once a year, we take it further with our Legacy Award, another peer-nominated honor given to an individual who embodies our values at the highest level. This person honors our company’s past and contributes to shaping its future. It’s not just about what they do—it’s about how they do it.
But here’s the more important shift: we’re redefining what constitutes a meaningful contribution.
We’ve started intentionally recognizing people who:
- Excel at planning and prevent chaos before it begins.
- Solve problems early through preparation and collaboration.
- Maintain balance while still achieving results.
These wins don’t always come with dramatic stories, but they’re the backbone of well-run projects and healthy teams. And when a project does need saving, we explore what went wrong and how we can prevent it the next time.
There will always be pressure in construction. But if we want to build sustainable, resilient, and people-first companies, we must change what we celebrate. The urgent rescue shouldn’t be the only version of success we recognize.
So, here’s the challenge: start celebrating consistency. Recognize foresight, discipline, planning, and teamwork. Because culture is built on what we celebrate—and the people shaping your future may not always draw attention, but they’re the ones holding it all together.
This article was written for Constructor Magazine’s July/August 2025 issue; you can read it here: https://constructornovdec2024.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=849179&p=22&view=issueViewer
