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From Ground Zero to Luxury Resorts: Designing Spaces That Transform Lives

Construction Genius

Release Date: 02/11/2025

Hire, Train, Retain: Proven Construction Hiring & Retention Strategies show art Hire, Train, Retain: Proven Construction Hiring & Retention Strategies

Construction Genius

Struggling to find—and keep—the right people in your construction business? You’re not alone. In today’s episode of Construction Genius, Eric sits down with Mike, creator of the XP3 Talent System, to unpack a proven, end-to-end process for hiring, onboarding, and retaining top talent in one of the most competitive industries on the planet. You’ll discover: Why most “business problems” are really people problems—and how to solve them at the root. The fatal flaw in relying on gut instinct to hire construction talent. How to define success in a role so you can hire with...

info_outline The Window of Tolerance: Managing Your Nervous System Under Pressure show art The Window of Tolerance: Managing Your Nervous System Under Pressure

Construction Genius

Leadership development can take two distinct types: horizontal and vertical. Horizontal growth targets on adding new skills, knowledge, and competencies broadening what a leader can do. Vertical development, on the other hand, alters how a leader thinks, perceives, and responds. This enables leaders to handle complexity, stress, and uncertainty by increasing maturity, emotional regulation, and perspective. While horizontal development can make a leader more capable in the short term, vertical growth boosts their ability to inspire and create lasting value. However, to achieve sustainable...

info_outline Mastering Strategic Shifts & Elite Project Management in Construction - Antonia Botero Returns show art Mastering Strategic Shifts & Elite Project Management in Construction - Antonia Botero Returns

Construction Genius

Welcome back to another powerhouse episode of Construction Genius! Today, we welcome back industry expert and owner of MADD Project, Antonia Botero. Antonia returns to provide crucial insights on two vital topics for every construction leader: Strategic Adaptation and Project Management Excellence. In this episode, you’ll discover: How to Build a Robust Construction Strategy: Evaluating your construction firm's strategic positioning—high value vs. high volume. Making critical decisions about project scale and niching to maintain competitive advantage. Effective ways to pivot your...

info_outline $15 to $12.8 Million: The Rainmaker’s Blueprint show art $15 to $12.8 Million: The Rainmaker’s Blueprint

Construction Genius

In the fiercely competitive world of construction, a handful of people stand out as genuine rainmakers—those uniquely gifted individuals who seem able to summon success and profitability from seemingly nowhere. Roger Leasure, President and CEO of , is precisely that kind of leader. In this episode of Construction Genius, which ranks among my top five all-time favorites, Roger reveals how he transformed a simple $15 investment into a staggering $12.8 million project. He dives deep into the core principles of genuine business development, sharing practical strategies that go far beyond...

info_outline The Truth About Succession Planning: Why Most Construction Companies Get It Wrong show art The Truth About Succession Planning: Why Most Construction Companies Get It Wrong

Construction Genius

Succession planning isn’t just about naming someone to be the successor; it’s about ensuring that your business can thrive after you. In this episode, Eric appears as the guest of “The Construction Hall of Fame” podcast and shares his wisdom on succession planning, the blind spots that trip up the construction leaders, keeping your top talent from walking out of the door, and the importance of starting an early succession plan. Whether you are already thinking about your succession plan or years away from stepping down, this conversation will guide you to get started with confidence...

info_outline If Your Construction Company Disappeared Tomorrow, Would Anyone Notice? show art If Your Construction Company Disappeared Tomorrow, Would Anyone Notice?

Construction Genius

Most construction companies claim they “do great work and have strong relationships.” But if your business vanished tomorrow, would anyone really notice—or care? In this episode of Construction Genius, I sit down with Justin Bieganek, founder of Mercury Creative Group, to unpack what branding really means for construction companies—and why it’s about a lot more than your logo or website. If you're frustrated with being treated like a commodity, constantly undercut on price, or struggling to attract the right people to join your team—your brand might be the problem. And the good...

info_outline The Robots Aren’t Coming—They’re Already Here (And They're Cheaper Than Your Project Engineer) show art The Robots Aren’t Coming—They’re Already Here (And They're Cheaper Than Your Project Engineer)

Construction Genius

From the office to the job sites, AI is rapidly changing the construction industry just as any other. The newly developed AI tools currently available can help you to process data from variety of sources, providing you with insights to make smart decisions. One crucial piece of information everyone should remember is that AI is not magic; it needs to be provided with clean, accurate information and skilled prompting to deliver a decent output. Leaders can’t just adopt AI; they must experiment, learn, and lead by example. Whether you’re planning on using generative AI to think through...

info_outline Why Construction Companies Stop Growing—and How to Fix It show art Why Construction Companies Stop Growing—and How to Fix It

Construction Genius

Growth isn’t just about bigger projects or tighter timelines; it’s about developing leadership. When the leaders try to do everything themselves, struggle to delegate, or are unable to build trust within their teams, it often leads to hitting the ceiling. Emotional intelligence, intentional listening, and clarity of intent are essential in shaping high-performing teams. Building self-awareness, fighting the impostor syndrome, and leading through uncertainty might seem challenging at times, but it’s up to the leaders to decide which direction is best for your organization.  Rachel...

info_outline Forget Hierarchy — How This Construction Company Runs as a True Team show art Forget Hierarchy — How This Construction Company Runs as a True Team

Construction Genius

What happens when leadership isn’t about control but about a shared goal? What if the future business world looks more like a team, not a hierarchy? As more companies reconsider the traditional structures, models like worker cooperatives and employee-owned cooperatives are gaining momentum. They offer a way to codify culture, share decision-making, and maintain purpose beyond the founder’s occupancy. These models present an agreeable alternative in a time when millions of small businesses face uncertain futures. It’s time to see ownership as not a privilege for the few but a path for the...

info_outline The Fighter Pilot Mindset Every Construction Leader Needs for Safer, Faster Projects show art The Fighter Pilot Mindset Every Construction Leader Needs for Safer, Faster Projects

Construction Genius

In today’s episode of Construction Genius, we dive deep into a powerful leadership framework that can transform how you run your construction projects — the Fighter Pilot Mindset based on John Boyd’s legendary OODA loop. In fast-paced, high-risk environments — whether it’s a fighter jet or a complex construction site — the speed and quality of your team’s decision-making can make or break project outcomes.   Yet many construction leaders today face persistent challenges: ✅ Bridging the gap between office leadership and field crews ✅ Balancing safety and productivity...

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Kevin Kennon is an internationally renowned architect with over 40 years of experience, specializing in environmentally sustainable and innovative design. As the founder and CEO of Beyond Zero DDC Inc., Kevin leads the development of zero-carbon emission luxury eco-resorts in remote wilderness locations worldwide, merging design excellence with ecological responsibility. His extensive portfolio includes projects like the 1.5 million square foot Barclays North American Headquarters, the Rodin Museum in Seoul, and multiple award-winning Bloomingdale’s stores. Additionally, he led United Architects, a finalist in the prestigious World Trade Center design competition, further solidifying his impact on architectural innovation.

Kevin’s expertise spans adaptive reuse, urban planning, and large-scale developments, with projects featured in the permanent collection of MoMA, New York. He has earned over 40 international design awards and is a sought-after thought leader, contributing to discussions on urban development, climate change, and sustainable architecture. His work extends beyond architecture; as an expert witness and lecturer at leading institutions like Yale and Columbia, he brings a multidisciplinary approach to his craft.

 

🎙 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

  • How Kevin’s upbringing and exposure to architecture from a young age influenced his career path.

  • The unexpected ways literature and anthropology have shaped modern architectural thought and Kevin’s personal design philosophy.

  • The key characteristics that define good architecture and how it impacts urban environments and the people who inhabit them.

  • Why community-driven design is essential in making architecture more inclusive and meaningful for residents.

  • How modern sustainability efforts, technology, and AI are changing the way architects approach design.

  • The shift towards collaboration in construction and why architects and contractors must work together more effectively.

 

💡 Key Takeaways

  1. Architecture is More Than Just Aesthetic – Great architecture isn’t just about how a building looks, but how it functions, impacts the community, and integrates with its surroundings.

  2. Sustainability Must Go Beyond Surface-Level Solutions – True green architecture requires deeper innovation than just adding vegetation to a building’s exterior.

  3. Collaboration is the Future – The adversarial nature of traditional construction practices is being replaced by a more cooperative approach that benefits all stakeholders.

  4. Technology is Reshaping Architecture – AI and robotics are set to revolutionize design and construction processes, demanding a shift in how architects and builders work.

 

📚 Resources:

Connect with Kevin: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinkennonarchitect

Website: https://www.kdcaia.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kevinkennonarchitects1041

 

Restaurant Recommendation: https://www.viacarota.com

 

📘 Ready to Lead Smarter? Check out Eric’s book, Construction Genius: Effective, Hands-On, Practical, Simple, No-BS Leadership, Strategy, Sales, and Marketing Advice for Construction Companies. It’s packed with insights to help you tackle the unique challenges of construction leadership. Get your copy here.

🎓 Want to Level Up Your Leadership? Explore The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader. This hands-on course helps construction professionals master leadership skills like productivity, conflict resolution, and team management. Learn more about the course here.

📞 Interested in Coaching? Book a 10-minute call with Eric to explore how his coaching for construction executives can help you and your business thrive. Schedule your call now.