Early in my career, I oversaw managing the punch list for an office building that our firm had just completed. As I was leaving the conference room, I tried to turn off the lights by flipping the switch, but nothing happened. I flipped the toggle up and down several times, but the lights stayed on. I then spotted an electrician in the hallway and called him over to ask why the switch wasn’t working.
“It was installed per the drawings,” he said matter-of-factly.
I paused, a bit confused. “Wait—did you know it wouldn’t work when you installed it?”
“Yes,” he replied. “But we installed it per the drawings.”
I was dumbfounded. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
The electrician gave me a look as if I should have known the answer.
“Son, I do what the drawings tell me to do.”
That conversation has stayed with me for years, and I’ve thought about it often as I’ve gained more insight into leadership and the traditional operations of our industry. For a long time, general contractors have adopted a “top-down” approach, where the GC or superintendent is the only one truly engaged, thinking, problem-solving, and analyzing in the field. The trades, on the other hand, have often been instructed to keep their heads down and follow the plans.
The electrician probably chose not to speak up because, over time, he learned that it wasn’t worth it. Perhaps he had been criticized for speaking up before and decided to stay quiet. This mindset is something we need to change. The cornerstone of Lean Construction is respect for people and that includes valuing the input and experience of everyone on the jobsite.
If you’re looking to shift away from a traditional “top-down” approach, here are a few key ideas that can help.
- Give Up Total Control
The best leaders understand that true success comes from empowering others. If you try to control every decision in a project, you not only limit your ability to manage effectively, but you also hinder the growth of the people around you. By relinquishing some control and trusting the team, you enable them to become more engaged and succeed on their own terms. This also allows you to focus on higher-level strategies and long-term goals.
- Listen First, Speak Later
It can be tempting to be the first one to throw out an idea in a meeting, especially if you have a clear vision. However, if you always speak first, others might be hesitant to offer their thoughts, especially if their ideas are different from yours. Instead, start by asking for input. Let your team share their ideas before you weigh in. You’ll often find that you gain new insights and information that help you make better decisions.
- Share Information Freely
Some leaders prefer to withhold important information as it allows them to maintain control over the project. However, failing to share information creates a disconnect on the jobsite and undermines teamwork. Being open and transparent fosters trust and creates an environment conducive to collaboration. This can help prevent costly mistakes and conflicts in the field, ultimately leading to a more successful project.
The Bigger Picture
Looking back at that light switch incident, I think about what it would take to fix that during the punch list. How much time, paperwork, and cost would go into fixing something that could’ve been addressed early on?
More importantly, how can we prevent these kinds of issues in the first place?
The answer lies in culture. It’s about creating a work environment where everyone feels empowered to speak up and offer ideas, and where individuals at all levels are respected and appreciated.
Lean Construction pushes us to adopt this mindset. By moving away from a rigid, top-down leadership style and embracing a more collaborative approach, we can improve our individual projects and the entire industry.
In the end, it’s about respecting people—creating an environment where everyone feels valued and encouraged to contribute their expertise. When people know that their input matters, it strengthens the quality of the work and fosters a sense of ownership and accountability.
It’s not just about listening; it’s about trusting people to share their knowledge and insights, which often leads to the most innovative and practical solutions. Sometimes, the best answers are right in front of us—we need to ask, listen, and be open to learning from those who are doing the work.
This article was written for Constructor Magazine’s Nov/Dec 2024 issue; you can read it here:
https://2024commemorativeissue.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=834753&p=26&view=issueViewer
