As a construction leader, you have many responsibilities, including managing your team, overseeing projects, and communicating with clients and subs. But to be successful in your role, you also need to have strong interpersonal skills and build positive relationships with your team.
In this post, we’ll explore the story of Marco (a fictional construction leader based on real-life experiences) who improved his leadership skills and offer three simple and easy-to-implement action items to help you build stronger teams and create a more positive and productive work environment.
Marco was a young construction leader with big plans for his career.
The company had high hopes for him and wanted to groom him for an executive leadership role. Marco was highly involved in his work, took ownership of his tasks, and was very good at planning and scheduling. He was also smart, took his role very seriously, and was good at managing subs that they worked with. However, Marco had one limitation that was holding him back: his interpersonal skills.
But, he could go off on people.
Despite being a talented leader, Marco could be harsh in his criticisms and lacked empathy for his team. He expected his team to be as passionate as he was, and when they fell short, he could go off on them. This damaged his relationships and if it continued would prevent him from reaching his full potential and taking on a more senior leadership role.
Marco was committed to improving himself.
He realized that if he wanted to succeed, he needed to address his limitations and build stronger relationships with his team. He began to focus on three simple and easy-to-implement action items to build stronger teams:
- Practice Active Listening: Marco made a conscious effort to listen more carefully to his team members and show empathy by understanding their concerns and needs. When talking with them he committed to putting away his phone and giving them his full attention. This small step had a massive impact on his ability to focus. He also focused on not interrupting. This was tough, and he made progress by counting to three in his head prior to responding to someone. This kept him from accidentally talking over the other person. By practicing active listening, Marco built stronger relationships with his team and created a more positive work environment.
- Focus on Positive Reinforcement: Marco provided regular positive feedback and constructive criticism to motivate and encourage his team. By acknowledging their accomplishments and progress, Marco boosted their morale and created a culture of positivity and growth. One example of this was helping a Project Manager (PM) prepare for a change order negotiation with a tough client. Marco pointed out some provisions in the contract that the PM was overlooking and gave him a couple of tips on how to handle the conversations. After the PM successfully got the change approved, praised him in an email to the President of the company.
- Schedule Regular Check-Ins: Marco set aside time each week to check in with his team and discuss their progress and any challenges they were facing. By providing regular feedback and support, Marco helped his team stay on track and develop the skills they needed to succeed. These meetings were a great opportunity for his direct reports to bring up issues with him, and this helped him to build deeper relationships with them.
At first, it wasn’t easy for Marco.
He had to be mindful of his language and tone, and he struggled to show empathy. But he persisted, and over time, he began to see the benefits of his efforts. His team became more engaged and motivated, and he built stronger relationships with his colleagues.
Marco’s story is a testament to the power of simple and easy-to-implement action items in building stronger teams and creating a more positive and productive work environment.
It’s essential to have strong interpersonal skills and build positive relationships with your team.
By practicing active listening, focusing on positive reinforcement, and scheduling regular check-ins, you can create a more positive and productive work environment for your team.
Building stronger teams is a critical component of being a successful construction leader. By focusing on three simple and easy-to-implement action items, you can improve your interpersonal skills, build positive relationships with your team, and create a more positive and productive work environment.
With commitment and persistence, you can overcome your limitations.
You can reach your full potential as a leader, inspiring and motivating your team to succeed.
If you’re a construction leader looking to improve your interpersonal skills and build stronger relationships with your team, consider contacting me, and let’s talk about the executive coaching I offer.
I have extensive experience working with construction leaders and I know the unique challenges that construction leaders face and can offer tailored support and guidance to help you succeed.
I can help you identify areas for improvement, provide personalized feedback, and support you in developing a plan to achieve your goals. Don’t let your limitations hold you back from reaching your full potential.
Interested? Take the first step. Let’s have a short conversation. Click this link, take a look at my calendar, and book in 10-minute conversation to chat about if/how I can help you.
