Lean & Toyota always say don't blame the person blame the system. I think I’ve finally connected the dots on something I’ve been thinking about for more than two years. Our industry blames the person when they can't keep up... we discard or break them. CONSTRUCTION CREATES COGNITIVE LOAD Remember. Prioritize. Switch tasks. Ignore distractions. Track changes. Find information. Restart after interruptions. ⬇️ SOME BRAINS ARE CARRYING EVEN MORE In a survey of 1,000 construction workers: 1 in 4 identified as neurodiverse. ADHD was the most common — 54% of neurodiverse respondents. Research also shows PTSD can affect attention, working memory and executive function. ⬇️ LEAN CALLS UNNECESSARY MENTAL EFFORT “COGNITIVE WASTE.” ⬇️ What if we redesigned the WORK instead of blaming the PERSON? Visual Management • 5S • Standard Work • Last Planner • Checklists • Better Work Packaging ⬇️ Less brain load. Better flow. Better work for everyone. If we start focusing on the system, could this help solve some of the biggest problems our industry is facing? I want to write about this, build practical tools and test them in construction. Anyone interested in collaborating with me to develop this idea or co-author the first paper?

I need some help refining a PowerPoint presentation. Please feel free to send whatever feedback you feel may add value. Don’t hold back, I promise you won’t hurt my feelings. A little back story: I’ve been putting lean tools and philosophy into practice since the year started, very much acting as a “lone champion” in my small semi custom home building company. For reference our division will close 60 houses this year, and I’m covering about half of those (I am one of four CM’s). The presentation will be made at our next monthly builder meeting in front of the 3 other construction managers, 1 assistant CM, 3 warranty managers, our director of construction (my direct superior) and the VP of Construction (he oversees field ops over the entire company, including our semi custom division). I’m trying to make this as easily digestible as possible, since pre-existing lean knowledge in the room will be slim at best. I don’t have an exact date for this presentation yet, but I’m thinking it will be 2nd week of September. I’ve spent a lot of time putting these practices to work on a day to day basis and I want to make sure that is reflected in the presentation. I’m really looking forward to your feedback! It’s been incredible to be a part of a true grassroots effort at my company, but still have the backing and support of the old dawgs. Appreciate everyone in this group!

Damn! The Old Dawg Leadership Podcast Episode 3 is mighty! EI explained, discussed and how to apply. @Adam Hoots, @Mike Chiles and @Brent Darnell, y'all really took me down a rabbit hole with this one. I thought I knew EI, but I had only scratched the surface. Thank you for being honest, vulnerable and throwing that usual touch of humor in there. I can't wait to apply what I've learned!!

What if the best thing you've ever done on a jobsite can't be taught? That's a question I've been wrestling with. I've spent more than 40 years in construction, and like a lot of us, I've been fortunate enough to turn around difficult jobs, mentor younger superintendents, and solve problems that didn't seem to have a solution. For a long time, I thought experience was the answer. Now I think experience is only part of it. The real question is: Can you explain why you made the decision you made? Or does it just live in your instincts? Too much of our industry depends on personality. "He's just a natural leader." "She's got great instincts." "He just knows how to run work." But what happens when they retire? If we can't explain what we're doing in a way someone else can learn, practice, and repeat, then we've passed on stories instead of standards. The next generation doesn't just need our experience. They need a framework they can stand on while they're building their own. That's what I've been trying to put into words over the last few years. Not a better personality. A better standard. I'm curious... What's one thing you've done for years that came naturally to you—but only later realized you had to learn how to teach? I'd enjoy hearing from some folks who've spent a lifetime building this industry.

Since joining recently and attending a couple of meetings, I've started to think that the LEAN world and my world of Safety aren't that far apart. I have started drafting some ideas for a new take on this topic and am thinking of putting together a lecture/talk around it. I would be interested in hearing your perspectives on this to see if there may be something here: A construction lecture/talk about why lean operations and safety are not competing priorities, but interconnected outcomes of the same well-planned, well-communicated, technology-enabled system of work.