Construction Suicide Prevention - Week 2 | “Temporary Fence Panels” with Julie Dolan, Brian Winningham & Buddy Brumley (Episode 66)

Joe Pryor shares his journey from a family masonry business to implementing Lean Construction principles as a leader, emphasizing the importance of respect, team dynamics, and work-life balance in transforming the construction industry and personal growth.

In this podcast episode, Adam Hoots interviews the great Joe Pryor, revealing his comprehensive journey from the early days in his family's masonry enterprise to his critical roles as a Superintendent and Vice President of Field Operations. Joe diligently applies Lean Construction methodologies throughout his career, focusing on his individual and professional development. He emphasizes the paramount importance of respect, efficacious team dynamics, and the principle of perpetual learning. Joe meticulously articulates the challenges and successes associated with the adoption of Lean principles, showcasing his commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and team cohesion within the construction sector.

Joe highlights the imperative necessity for a paradigmatic cultural shift within the construction industry, concentrating on accurate scheduling, advocating for a balanced work-life integration, and the essential act of acknowledging and appreciating the workforce to mitigate the sector's skilled labor deficit. Through sharing his experiences, he conveys a deep passion for construction and a commitment to education, discussing the unique experiences and obstacles of maintaining equilibrium between his professional obligations and his role as a dedicated parent. His insights into fostering a healthy work-life balance, alongside promoting respect and value for workers, pinpoint critical areas for industry improvement and personal growth.

The conversation further delves into the extensive influence of Lean methodologies on the construction sector, including the improvement of communication, the encouragement of constructive conflict, the establishment of feasible expectations, and the foregrounding of mental health. Joe's narrative serves as a persuasive advocacy for the virtues of respect, humility, and authenticity. Through surmounting the intricacies of the construction industry and personal advancement, Joe's account stands as a compelling testament to the transformative power of Lean principles, both in professional settings and personal life, underlining the significant impact of these methodologies on industry standards and individual well-being.

You are going to want to know Joe as he leads the construction industry to some serious change through his many hats! 

ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:

The Lean Builder’s absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who “get it”: the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 

·        www.theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

·        Adam Hoots | www.linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for “Hoots on the Ground” and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions

·        Joe Pryor | https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-pryor-56b1366b/ | Vice President of Field Operations, Rudick Construction Group

During this episode, Mack Story dives into exactly who he is and where he came from! Hoots talks about all the amazing content that Mack puts out daily with his company, Blue Collar Leadership.

Mack talks about his wife, Ria, and mentions her story, which you can see in her TEDx Talk linked below. He discusses how he and Ria got started with their speaking and consulting careers. He talks about his love for her and how strong that is and where it came from. Mak also dives into how all his problems were caused by himself!

He tells about his son, Eric, who hated Mack from age 15 – 19. Mack then found this leadership information from a John Maxwell conference. Then by modeling what Maxwell teaches, he was able to repair and rebuild that relationship with his son. Further, he takes us down his journey of giving up alcohol and profanity back in 2012. Mack references Stephen Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and how it changed his entire life! Between stimulus and response, there is a choice.

Mack gets Hoots to open up on some of the problems that he is facing at home! Mack’s personal stories allow him to self-reflect and discover some of the next steps that he can take to work on his patience. Tune in to find out more about how to develop patience both at work and/or at home. Cheat code: Don’t forget to grab your pause button!

Mack claims that everything he talks about is Character Development. Character is the ability to meet the demands of reality! Mack is a wealth of knowledge and gives that knowledge out to others constantly. He enjoys talking with people and making a difference in blue-collar workers’ lives! 

This is an absolute cannot-miss episode with Mack. His one-liners are fantastic, and you will be inspired to a better life after allowing this episode to settle in. As Mack says, “You can’t climb the mountain with base camp Character.”

Keep Climbing!

ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:

The Lean Builder’s absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who “get it”: the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 

·        www.theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website

·        https://bluecollarleadership.com/ | Mack & Ria Story’s company

·        https://youtu.be/7953w5yQ1uo?si=DCvyOV6Xg90OZjfF | Ria Story’s TEDx Talk “Bridges Out of the Past: A Survivor’s Lessons on Resilience”

·        https://www.maxwellleadership.com/ | John Maxwell Leadership Training

·        The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

·        Adam Hoots | www.linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for “Hoots on the Ground” and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions

·        Mack Story | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackstory/ | Developing the Blue-Collar Workforce and those who lead them.®│Author of 15 Books│Leadership Speaker│Trainer

In this episode, Hoots delves into the spiritual dimensions of both business and personal growth. Drawing inspiration from Dr. Bob Emiliani's book, Management Mysterium: The Quest for Progress, he shares how this book has framed his understanding of the spiritual side of the construction industry. No this is not what you’re thinking when it comes to religion! Think more broadly…

Hoots then takes us on a journey through Eckhart Tolle's book, The Power of Now, discussing how being present in the moment has become a profound aspect of his life. He explores the concept of separating oneself from the being and reflects on the role beliefs play in shaping our experiences.

A significant part of the discussion revolves around Tolle’s concept of the "pain body" and its influence on responses, especially in the construction world. Hoots shares how he's been intentional about being present, not just in business but also in his personal relationships. He talks about his own pain body of being short-tempered and too quick to respond with anger.

The episode also touches on practical steps, including the incorporation of mindfulness practices like meditation into daily routines. Hoots discusses the transformative effects of these practices on his life and urges listeners to consider the power of intentional choices. He even gives a cheat code on what has helped him become more mindful over the last several weeks.

Join Hoots in this enlightening episode as he explores the spiritual side of construction, offering valuable insights into the art of being present and its positive impact on personal and professional development.

ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:

The Lean Builder’s absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who “get it”: the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• www.theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website
• Irrational Institutions: Business, Its Leaders, and The Lean Movement | by Dr. Bob Emiliani
• Being Present with Yourself with Matt Ohley (Hoots Podcast: Episode 73)
• The Uncommon Communicator podcast | by James Gable
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People | by Stephen R. Covey, Jim Collins
• Blue-Collar Leadership: Leading from the Front Lines | by Mack Story
• Headspace | meditation app
• “It’s Not About the Nail” video | by Jason Headley

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

·        Adam Hoots | www.linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for “Hoots on the Ground” and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions

This episode of Hoots on The Ground, Lean Builder Nation gets an introduction to the man behind the stories on LinkedIn, Mr. Matt Ohley! (Note: Not OH-LAY!, Oh-lee!)

Matt talks about the challenges he faced growing up in the legal system! He talks a lot about living in the present time, not in the past and not in the future, but in the present. He goes through how he discovered the importance of this concept and how he goes about accomplishing this difficult principle.

Matt discusses the real life of working in the trades and giving your body for the project’s sake. He gives us an example of when he was HIM! Hoots prompts Matt to talk more about the time he built an intricate drainage project that he had to take over from someone else.

Matt talks about how he broke through some of the things he suffered. He gets vulnerable about discovering common patterns in his life that he wasn’t fond of and how he challenged his 43-year-old self to make some changes. When he started talking to a professional, he was able to have success with making positive changes in his life.

From there he started to read and learned how to be human and navigate this thing called life! Matt lets the viewers better understand how he was able to deal with his big issues. He recommends a book called The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. “You are not your mind” is one of the major takeaways that Hoots has and is still thinking about as these show notes are being typed up! You are not your thoughts. You can observe and control what you think about. This concept gets easier with practice.

Matt runs us through a practical example of what his days look like. The first thing he does is hit the snooze button at 3:30 am, so don’t confuse him with Jocko or David Goggins! His meditation routine is the most important part of his day to get it in the right mindset and place to take on the day! From barefoot standing on the ground to breathing techniques and cold shower treatments, he has experimented with it all! No matter what, he starts the day by being present with himself!

Hoots and Matt discuss the Hawthorne Effect to increase production within the construction industry. To better understand, tune in to the whole episode to catch some of the wisdom that Matt is laying down.

ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:

The Lean Builder’s absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who “get it”: the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

·        www.theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website

 GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

·        Adam Hoots | www.linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for “Hoots on the Ground” and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions

·        Matt Ohley | https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ohley-a89769107/ | Construction Manager, Tampa Division, Ajax Paving Industries of Florida

This is a must-watch episode of “Hoots on the Ground” with No Bullshido as we highlight ‘The Manny Hoyo!’ Manny is a Senior Superintendent with Skanska who works in the Boston area and shares how he spreads his gifts and talents to the world. Manny talks about how his upbringing has helped him become a better superintendent in the field. He also talks about being a senior superintendent with anxiety and being introverted, both require a daily battle.

Manny dives into his recommendations for a Clemson course titled, “Building High Performing Teams” that Hoots is developing with other leaders within the university. Manny recommends that psychological safety and de-escalating tension would be at the top of the list of topics to cover in that course. Manny and Hoots dive into the hierarchy of construction and both dare to scratch the surface of this real-life concept in the industry.

Manny talks about the phrase “command and control” and how there is a place and a time for that philosophy of management, but there are better ways most of the time. Those times and places where command and control matter include safety incidents or owner-strict delivery schedules and processes. Hoots coins “The Manny Rule”: Treat people like you should! Manny also challenges the phrase “hurt people,” as he comes from a hurt background and does everything he can not to spread that hurt.

Manny remembers a project where he was a young assistant superintendent, and he helped come up with a much better plan to move a 22,000lb masterpiece of a painting. This painting was a Fresco painting of the men and women who built the museum that Manny’s team was renovating. Instead of relocating the painting using rollers, Manny’s idea of moving it with a crane proved to be the smart way to put less stress on the wall. Manny talks about the environment that was created around him that allowed him the courage to speak up in the moment with that idea.

Manny says, “Be a croissant, not a bagel!” Tune in to find out exactly what that means. Hoots questions if we are starting to discuss Emotional Intelligence!?! Comment below and let us know if that’s what we got into!

As Manny sails boats in his free time, Hoots asks him to better understand how sailing relates to scheduling and Lean Construction. Manny and Hoots close the podcast with a quick discussion on “respect for people” and what the phrase means. Manny also shouts out Chris Kelly, one of his construction idols, who taught him the most within the industry. And don’t use the phrases “I, me, or mine” or “progress over perfection” around Manny.

Looking forward to the feedback from his podcast with this Master Builder, Manny Hoyo!

ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:

The Lean Builder’s absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who “get it”: the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

·        www.theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

·        Adam Hoots | www.linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for “Hoots on the Ground” and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions

·        Manny Hoyo | https://www.linkedin.com/in/manny-hoyo-18304a20/ | senior superintendent with Skanska

In this episode of The Lean Builder’s Hoots on the Ground podcast, we get to know James Glass with Turner Construction out of the Dallas, TX office. James started in the industry as a laborer, and he has learned much from his time supporting The Boy Scouts of America. He is still involved to this day without having children or grandchildren involved. His 40+ year career path in the construction industry took him from a laborer to a senior superintendent running large-scale work.

James gives his advice on the best path to get started in the construction industry in today’s market! James takes us down his personal Lean Construction journey—both positive and negative. He talks about how Lean failed on his first project but by continuing to apply Lean, the process and principles have benefitted his career tremendously. James makes the statement, “You cannot force the project to fit Lean, you must modify Lean to make Lean fit the project.” He gives some great tips on how to get Lean moving forward quickly on your project, especially on your first attempt.

Many of the best aspects of Lean thinking are actions or ideas that he has been doing for a while, but now with Lean, he has words for the process or tool. Being able to have a common language with other superintendents helps make his processes better. James dives into how Lean is much more than the Last Planner System®. James practices and uses the Lean tools but refuses to use the Japanese word of Ohno Circle; instead, he refers to these as the Observation Circle.

James talks about how patience and respect are key to getting things done but also knows the days when you must speak up and be more direct. Lean is one tool to help people change (and embrace change) on construction projects. James talks about how we only must manage three things in construction: money, risk, and relationships.

James talks about how the old-school, traditional way of thinking stays right on his shoulder and how it still takes effort today to bottle that up and find a better way. A great episode for anyone trying to convert an old-school, traditional-thinking superintendent!

ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:

The Lean Builder’s absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who “get it”: the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

·        www.theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

·        Adam Hoots | www.linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | Podcast Host for “Hoots on the Ground” and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions

·        James Glass | https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-glass-91b13318/ | Senior Project Superintendent with Turner Construction Company

This is a can’t miss episode of The Lean Builder’s Hoots on the Ground podcast! During this episode, Julie Dolan, Brian Winningham, and Adam Hoots summarize their findings and learnings from the previous Construction Suicide Prevention episodes (check out Episodes 65-67 on our Podcasts page to give them a listen).

The team uses a liberating structure known as “WHAT? SO WHAT? NOW WHAT?”

They run through the experience that they just had together – the What, while they discover the So What of the conversation and turn each of those learnings into action by completing the Now What category. The learnings are real and come from real people, with real experiences, on real project sites. All of us are working together to make the construction industry a better place for learning.

By listening to this episode, you can capture all the takeaways from the previous episodes that were issued to date. With the help of Manny Hoyo, Buddy Brumley, Sam Sinclair, and Joe Pryor, the team was able to unearth some amazing nuggets and examples of how to spread kindness on project sites. That is the word that came to fruition naturally in every episode – KINDNESS! The industry is lacking kindness.

The Now What concluded the episode with Adam Hoots making the promise to submit a research paper to the ASC International conference. Julie is going to start putting together a coloring book of images that promote spreading kindness through the industry. Brian made the commitment to write a book on how to insert kindness into the industry.

Listeners, we are asking you to hold each of us accountable for getting these projects done in a timely manner! Please feel free to reach out to us and ask how the commitments are coming!

Thank you for tuning into this amazing session.

ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:

The Lean Builder’s absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who “get it”: the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

·        www.theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website

·        Mural board referenced | https://app.mural.co/t/achesolutions5607/m/achesolutions5607/1697811781073/94ef28b01b9904773f9edbb111e2554ad700f88f?sender=u2a19ae07b88075e257a73527

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

·        Adam Hoots | www.linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for “Hoots on the Ground” and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions

·        Brian Winningham | https://www.linkedin.com/in/fielddrivenlean/ | Owner of Field Driven Lean and Author of Ranger Winnie

·        Julie Dolan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliedolan/ | Core Team Member with LCI Ohio Valley CoP and Lean Practice Leader with SSOE Group

In this episode of The Lean Builder’s Hoots on the Ground Podcast, host Adam Hoots introduces The Lean Builder nation to everyone’s friend, Scott Friend! A father of three girls (and we get to meet one!!) and husband of a wise gal! A Sea Bee (Construction Battalion) Veteran who now serves the construction industry in several ways. Scott dives in to help The Lean Builder Nation understand what it’s like to build under real pressure in enemy territory. He tells us about his experience building overseas command posts and other innovative projects as needed.

Scott talks about how people are the one thing that he loves, and the one thing he loathes the most, within the construction industry. He tells us a story of how he helped to transform someone’s life by sending that person on a journey to become a superintendent. He gives us his strategy on how to develop the next generation’s leadership skills.

Hoots and Scott discuss Conditions of Satisfaction and the importance of agreeing on what success looks like for every individual on the project site. Scott talks about what he does to establish trust with trade partners. Scott talks about the innovations that take place on his project and how he empowers others to customize visuals for his projects. His team passes out challenge coins for going above and beyond on the project.

Scott has his own podcast titled The Construction Veteran that our listeners must go and check it out! Scott gives back by visiting local high schools and colleges to help educate people about what construction is all about. He also shares, and becomes vulnerable, about a recent accident that he experienced and how that has affected his current behavior with regards to self-care and respect.

ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:

The Lean Builder’s absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who “get it”: the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

·        www.theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

·        Adam Hoots | www.linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for “Hoots on the Ground” and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions

·        Scott Friend | superintendent with rand* construction corporation and podcast host | https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-friend-a8a05723/

·        The Construction Veteran Podcast | https://www.buzzsprout.com/2142888

In this episode of The Lean Builder’s “Hoots on the Ground” podcast host Adam Hoots introduces The Lean Builder nation to Ms. Heather Ormonde.

Heather talks about her beliefs in Lean running so deep that she had two babies in one pregnancy!! Heather has been practicing Lean for over 10 years and has made every LCI Congress since 2014 and has served as the Oklahoma CoP Leader for LCI since 2015 (though she is happy to relinquish that role for those in OK interested in stepping up). She shares updates on some of the trade-focused programs and trainings that they offer. Heather is a staple in the Lean Construction community.

You must stay around to the end, where Heather releases some brand new, hot off the press, news! We won’t put it in the show notes, so you must stick around and listen to how you can help support Heather. (Check out 54 minutes in to hear to news!)

Heather has worn many hats throughout her career in construction. She is a Six Sigma green belt and obtained her master’s degree from Oklahoma University. Heather loves to travel and played roller derby for a long time! She says that it’s a great way to release stress and frustration from the project site.

Heather gets vulnerable as she discusses her grandfather and his life’s motto that she learned while playing a game with him towards the end of his life. She also discusses the real-life jobsite conditions that workers are being forced to work in day to day. She likens that to a study called The Milgram Experiment.

Heather discusses her own journey of learning about how she was acting on project sites. As a project owner’s representative, one of her GCs called her out for ‘not trusting’ them. Tune in to see how she handled that and the adjustments she made throughout her career to make her a better builder! She enlightens us on how she found her why – to help and inspire people to achieve positive change – and how she helps others find their why.

ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:

The Lean Builder’s absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who “get it”: the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

·        www.theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website

·        www.pursue-perfection.com | Pursue Perfection

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

·        Adam Hoots | www.linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for “Hoots on the Ground” and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions

·        Heather Ormonde | https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-ormonde/