Elevate Construction

Jason Schroeder
  • 4.9 (143)
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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. 2d ago

    Ep.1682 - Do We Really Know Who Our Customer Is?

    In this episode, Jason challenges the traditional idea of who the customer is in construction. He argues that trade partners, foremen, and workers should be treated as the project team's first and most important customers. Jason explains how this shift in perspective changes the way general contractors approach planning, communication, facilities, respect, trade partner selection, and daily support. When the workforce is treated well and given what they need to succeed, the building owner ultimately receives a better result. What you'll learn in this episode: Why trade partners, foremen, and workers should be viewed as the project's first customers. How treating the workforce as customers changes the way teams plan and support construction. Why respect, proper facilities, full kits, and better communication directly affect project outcomes. How taking care of the first customer creates better results for the building owner and end user. Are you only focused on satisfying the owner, or are you also taking care of the people who actually build the 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

  2. 2d ago

    Ep.1681 - AI Slop or a Tool for Better Work?

    In this episode, Jason responds to criticism around "AI slop" and explains why he sees AI as a powerful tool for improving work, solving problems, and communicating ideas faster. For him, the issue is not whether AI was used, it is whether the final output is valuable and accurate. Jason shares how he uses AI to develop books, improve training, create visual examples, organize Lean systems, solve practical problems, and communicate ideas that would otherwise be difficult to show. He argues that AI should amplify human expertise rather than replace judgment, with the user still responsible for quality control and making sure the final result reflects real experience. What you'll learn in this episode: Why AI-generated content should be judged by its quality and usefulness, not simply by how it was created. How experienced professionals can use AI to turn real knowledge and ideas into clearer visual and written content. Why human expertise and quality control still matter when using AI tools. How adopting new technology can accelerate learning, problem-solving, improvement, and innovation. Are you dismissing AI because of how it is created, or evaluating whether it actually helps you produce better work?   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. 2d ago

    Ep.1680 - Accountability vs. Count-On-Ability

    In this episode, Jason challenges the traditional idea of accountability and reframes it as "count-on-ability." Instead of punishment or pressure, leadership should help people become someone the team can reliably count on. Jason connects this idea to lessons from Lean thinking, Paul Akers, the Shinkansen cleaning system, and leadership principles centered on clarity, training, and support. He explains that holding someone accountable should mean giving them the conditions, guidance, and assistance they need to successfully fulfill their commitments. What you'll learn in this episode: Why traditional approaches to accountability can create the wrong leadership mindset. How clarity, training, and support help people become more reliable. What it means to shift from "holding people accountable" to building count-on-ability. Why leaders must support people in fulfilling their roles instead of relying on pressure or punishment. Are you holding people accountable through pressure, or helping them become someone the team can truly count on?   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. 2d ago

    Ep.1679 - What Does "External Email Only" Mean?

    In this episode, Jason explains what he means by using email only for external communication. His goal is to reduce slow, batched communication and move teams toward faster, clearer channels whenever possible. Jason explains why internal teams should rely more on tools like Microsoft Teams, ClickUp, Asana, Monday.com, radios, and direct meetings instead of defaulting to email. He also clarifies that "external only" does not mean emailing everyone outside your immediate office, it means using email selectively when faster communication channels are not practical and documentation is genuinely needed. What you'll learn in this episode: Why email can create delays, batching, miscommunication, and unnecessary administrative work. What "external email only" actually means inside a Lean communication system. How internal teams can use faster communication channels instead of relying on inboxes. Why even external contacts should be moved to quicker communication methods when appropriate. Are you using email because it is truly the best communication method, or simply because it has become the default?   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. 3d ago

    Ep.1678 - What Killing Roaches Taught Me About Construction

    In this episode, Jason shares an unexpected lesson in Lean thinking through his experience eliminating a German cockroach infestation. What started as a household problem became a lesson in constraints, logistics, intelligence, systems, and disciplined execution. Jason explains why attacking every visible problem is less effective than finding the system creating those problems. He connects targeted action, reconnaissance, logistics, root-cause thinking, patience, and maintaining momentum to construction project recovery. The biggest lesson is that lasting success comes from creating an environment where failure can no longer survive. What you'll learn in this episode: Why solving the system constraint is more effective than fighting every individual problem. How field observation and real-time intelligence help teams identify where intervention is actually needed. Why logistics, root-cause removal, and disciplined systems matter more than heroic reactions. How maintaining momentum and creating the right environment can make success sustainable. Are you constantly fighting individual problems, or are you changing the system that keeps producing them?   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. 3d ago

    Ep.1677 - Data, Visibility, and the Limits of KPIs

    In this episode, Jason explains why data alone cannot tell you everything you need to know about a construction project. Metrics matter, but leaders still need visibility, experience, and direct observation to understand what is really happening. Jason discusses the limits of KPIs and lagging indicators, the danger of confusing correlation with causation, and the importance of field walks in understanding team morale, preparation, training, planning, and project behaviors. He explains why the most valuable information is often difficult to capture in a dashboard and must instead be seen and interpreted by experienced people. What you'll learn in this episode: Why project data and KPIs rarely tell the complete story on their own. How confusing correlation with causation can lead to poor conclusions from data. Why field walks help leaders understand behaviors, preparation, morale, and project conditions. How visual systems and experienced observation help teams identify information that metrics cannot capture. Are you managing your project only through reports and KPIs, or are you also getting close enough to the work to see what the data cannot show 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

  7. 3d ago

    Ep.1676 - Takt Is Taking Off Across the Construction Industry

    In this episode, Jason shares examples of how Takt planning is gaining momentum across the construction industry. More companies are moving beyond experimentation and integrating Takt, Last Planner, Kanban, prefabrication, and visual production systems into real projects. Jason highlights contractors that have taken ownership of their internal Takt systems, trained entire teams, adopted integrated production control, and pushed prefabrication and production flow to new levels. He also explains how the growing adoption of buffers, trade flow, visual systems, and even Takt interfaces in scheduling software shows that the industry is beginning to shift. What you'll learn in this episode: How contractors are expanding Takt from individual projects into company-wide production systems. Why combining Takt with Last Planner, Kanban, and visual management creates stronger project flow. How prefabrication and one-day Takt times are accelerating complex construction work. What growing industry adoption suggests about the future of traditional CPM scheduling. Is your company still experimenting with Takt, or are you ready to make it part of how every project is planned and delivered?   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. 3d ago

    Ep.1675 - Words Alone Don't Work: Make Communication Visual

    In this episode, Jason explains why verbal instructions alone are rarely enough to create clarity. If something matters, leaders need to make it written, visual, and accessible inside the systems people actually use. Jason shares how lists, Kanban boards, ClickUp, standard work, participant guides, and visual systems consistently outperform verbal direction by itself. He explains that the goal is not to eliminate conversation, but to support it with written and visual communication so expectations, conditions of satisfaction, and responsibilities are unmistakably clear. What you'll learn in this episode: Why verbal instructions alone often lead to confusion and missed expectations. How written lists, visual boards, and standard work improve clarity and follow-through. Why information must live where the individual actually works and looks for direction. How combining verbal communication with written and visual systems creates stronger leadership. Are you simply telling people what needs to happen, or are you making the expectation visible and accessible enough for them to 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

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4.9
out of 5
143 Ratings

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
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2020
  • Show Website
    Elevate Construction

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