Elevate Construction

Jason Schroeder
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Elevating construction with interviews, training, and techniques that will make the build environment better for workers, our customers, companies, and the industry as a whole.

  1. 23 hr ago

    Ep.1723 - The Downside of Short Meetings

    Short meetings are not always better meetings. In this episode, Jason challenges the obsession with keeping every meeting brief and explains why rushing through important conversations can create context switching, shallow decisions, poor preparation, and weaker performance. Jason shares why longer, well-run meetings can be especially valuable during team formation, mentoring, and day-ahead planning. His point is simple: the meeting should last long enough to get the work right, create a full kit, and make sure the team is genuinely ready to perform. What you'll learn in this episode: Why short meetings can create more context switching and less meaningful progress. How longer focused sessions can help teams learn, align, and execute together. Why meeting quality matters more than meeting length. How afternoon foreman huddles should continue until the next day is truly ready. Why preparation and full kit can make execution more enjoyable and effective. Are you shortening meetings to save time or giving your team enough time to actually get the work right?   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

  2. 1 day ago

    Ep.1722 -The People and System Side of Lean

    Lean is not just about improving processes, equipment, or workflows it is also about creating systems that help people see, respond, and succeed. In this episode, Jason explains why Lean must address both the system and the human beings operating inside it. Jason breaks down the relationship between people, environments, processes, and equipment, explaining that a strong Lean system should make problems visible and effectively "ask a human for help." At the same time, people need the training, awareness, and support required to recognize those signals and act on them. What you'll learn in this episode: Why Lean must improve both people and systems. How processes and equipment should make problems visible to humans. Why people need the training and awareness to recognize system signals. How visual systems support better problem-solving and decision-making. Why respect for people remains at the center of Lean thinking. Are your systems helping people see and solve problems or are both the people and the problems being left invisible?   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

  3. 2 Nov

    Ep.1721 - If It's Hard, You Don't Have the Right Visuals

    If Lean feels difficult to implement, the problem may not be the people it may be what they can actually see. In this episode, Jason explains why strong visual systems make planning, logistics, coordination, and production easier by allowing teams to understand problems and act together. Jason discusses why printed plans, visual maps, Takt plans, pull plans, signage, and visible look-ahead and weekly work plans are essential to Lean construction. The goal is to design an environment where people can see as a group, know as a group, and act as a group. What you'll learn in this episode: Why difficult Lean implementation often points to missing or ineffective visuals. How visual planning makes problems and next steps easier for teams to understand. Why printed plans and physical visual systems still matter in a digital world. How Takt plans, pull plans, signage, and work plans support better coordination. Why Lean systems should help humans see problems and know when action is needed. Is the work actually difficult or have you simply not made it visible enough yet?   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

  4. 2 Nov

    Ep.1720 - Pretend You Own the Company

    If you're a Project Executive or General Superintendent, you cannot afford to treat your role like a box-checking position. In this episode, Jason explains why senior construction leaders need to think like business owners, understanding the risk, finances, client relationships, team performance, and long-term health of the company as if it were their own. Jason also introduces the difference between a continuous improvement leader and a "continuous comfort" leader. The higher you rise in leadership, the more important it becomes to keep learning, stay engaged with clients, support your teams, embrace new tools, and resist the temptation to put your role on autopilot. What you'll learn in this episode: Why PXs and General Superintendents should think like business owners. The difference between continuous improvement and continuous comfort leadership. Why senior leaders cannot afford to stop learning and developing. How getting too comfortable can disconnect leaders from clients and project teams. Why ownership mentality requires balancing hard work, growth, risk, and responsibility. Are you leading your role like you own the business or simply managing the position you were given?   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

  5. 2 Nov

    Ep.1719 - Elevate vs. The Lean Builder Framework

    Not every Lean construction framework is designed to work the same way. In this episode, Jason explains the key differences between the Lean Builder approach and Elevate's Integrated Production Control System and why teams transitioning between the two may experience some friction. Jason breaks down Elevate's emphasis on advanced planning, Takt planning, zone-based pull planning, afternoon foreman huddles, morning worker huddles, and integrating multiple proven systems instead of relying on a single methodology. What you'll learn in this episode: Why Elevate places a stronger emphasis on advanced planning and Takt planning. How zone-based pull planning fits into the Integrated Production Control System. Why Jason recommends afternoon foreman huddles and morning worker huddles. How Elevate combines ideas from Last Planner, Advanced Work Packaging, Scrum, and other systems. Why different Lean frameworks can complement each other without being identical. Are you trying to make one Lean framework fit everything or building a system that brings the right methods 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

  6. 2 Nov

    Ep.1718 - Japan Takeaways Part 3: Calm, Clean, and Built to Flow

    What does excellence look like when safety, production, logistics, and human behavior are all designed to work together? In this final episode of the Japan Takeaways series, Jason shares what stood out most from visiting another construction site and precast facility where cleanliness, visual planning, worker access, and daily production systems were all deeply integrated. Jason explains how Takt planning, look-ahead planning, worker huddles, afternoon foreman coordination, visual communication, and carefully designed site conditions created an environment that felt calm instead of rushed. What you'll learn in this episode: How clean, organized environments support safety, quality, and production flow. Why Takt planning and time-by-location systems create greater visibility and stability. How morning worker huddles and afternoon foreman planning support daily coordination. Why thoughtful access, walkways, staging, signage, and logistics make work easier for people. How calm leadership and reducing rush, push, and panic can create a better workplace. Is your project designed to help people succeed calmly or are your systems forcing them to rush and recover?   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

  7. 28 Oct

    Ep.1717 - Japan Takeaways Part 2: What a Flowing Job Site Looks Like

    What does a construction site look like when planning, logistics, safety, and production all work together? In this episode, Jason shares his second round of takeaways from Japan after visiting an active project site and seeing a highly structured production system in action. Jason breaks down the planning layers he observed from the summary schedule and critical flow map to the Takt plan, six-week look-ahead, weekly work plan, and day plan and explains how zoning, worker huddles, standardized logistics, clean access, and visual systems created a site that felt calm, methodical, and continuously flowing. What you'll learn in this episode: How multiple planning layers work together to create predictable production flow. Why time-by-location planning and clearly defined zones improve coordination. How morning worker huddles and afternoon foreman planning support daily readiness. Why cleanliness, standardized access, logistics, and visual systems matter to production. How leadership behavior can influence how deeply Lean is implemented, even in Japan. Does your job site feel like it is constantly reacting or is everything designed to flow?   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

  8. 28 Oct

    Ep.1716 - Japan Takeaways Part 1: What Great Leaders Do Differently

    What separates a great system from a great organization is often how leaders behave inside it. In this episode, Jason shares his first major takeaways from visiting a Japanese construction company after months of preparation, focusing on leadership, integration, problem-solving, and creating an environment where people can speak up. Jason explains how sales, design, and construction work together from the beginning, why leaders teach people to recognize deviations from standards, and why strong leaders work shoulder to shoulder with their teams instead of stepping in and solving every problem themselves. What you'll learn in this episode: Why leaders must teach people to recognize deviations from the standard. How shortcuts can quickly affect safety and quality. Why integrating sales, design, and construction can eliminate damaging silos. Why teams still need psychological safety and encouragement to speak up. How leaders can solve problems shoulder to shoulder without taking ownership away from their people. Are you building better processes or developing leaders who know how to see, support, and solve problems with their teams?   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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About

Elevating construction with interviews, training, and techniques that will make the build environment better for workers, our customers, companies, and the industry as a whole.

Information

  • Creator
    Jason Schroeder
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1.7k
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2020
  • Show Website
    Elevate Construction

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