From Ground Zero to Luxury Resorts: Designing Spaces That Transform Lives
Release Date: 02/11/2025
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...
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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...
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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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Speed, Quality, Cost: Using AI to Finally Get All Three in Construction
Construction Genius
The construction industry is currently at a significant juncture where the industry’s traditional practices begin to converge with new cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence. AI helps teams to uncover insights, streamline operations, and improve decision-making, making it an emerging powerful partner rather than a tool. Trevor Schick is the CEO of Slate Technologies, a company revolutionizing the construction industry through AI-driven decision support tools. He brings a unique perspective to the industry’s technological space, having a career leading global supply chains...
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From Stigma to Support: Fixing the Mental Health Crisis in Construction
Construction Genius
Dan Lester, Vice President of Field Culture and Inclusion at Clayco, brings a powerful voice to the conversation around mental health in the construction industry. Focusing on total health and well-being, Dan emphasizes that mental health is about managing everyday and extreme stress. Dan shares findings from a 2024 Clayco study showing that 54% of tradespeople reported anxiety or depression in the past year, yet many still feel ashamed to talk about it. Dan attributes this to stigma, pride, and the male-dominated nature of the industry. He stresses the importance of psychological safety...
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How to Win Negotiated Projects in Construction Without Competing on Price
Construction Genius
If you’re serious about winning more work, building trust with clients, and leading your sales team with confidence, let’s talk. I’m offering a free 10-minute call to help you pinpoint exactly where your sales process is breaking down—and what to do about it. 👉 Book your 10-minute call here: Don’t wait for the phone to ring. Let’s get proactive, strategic, and focused on what actually works in construction sales. Winning negotiated projects in construction isn’t about cutting into your profit; it’s about cultivating trust, clear communication, and placing yourself as the...
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From Bad Plans to Brilliant Builds: Practical Applications of AI in Construction
Construction Genius
As in any other industry, artificial intelligence is becoming a vital tool in construction, reforming how projects are designed, planned, and executed. It can help construction companies with critical challenges like skilled labor shortages by empowering junior employees with expert knowledge ingrained in digital tools. As the industry evolves, AI stands out as a practical, approachable tool that delivers efficiency and innovation. However, it’s important to note that AI is not a ‘know-all’ but rather a tool that continues to evolve and improve over time through user feedback and...
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Aggressive Patience: The Strategic Art of Family Business Succession
Construction Genius
Family business succession is not just about changing the leadership; it’s a delicate balancing act between maintaining the legacy and embracing innovation. Both founders and successors face the challenges of navigating deep personal attachments, generational differences, and the emotional weight of letting go and stepping up. A genuine succession requires more than a solid plan: it demands trust, humility, and the discipline to lead by example. Joining us today is Dimitri Sidiropoulos. Dimitri is a son, husband, father of three, and a second-generation leader in the construction...
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From Dictator to Coach: The Leadership Shift Every Construction Owner Must Make to Win in 2025
Construction Genius
Today, Eric explores the essential shift in leadership from the outdated command-and-control style to a coaching-focused approach. Eric addresses common leadership myths, emphasizes the power of trust, and outlines practical frameworks for effective coaching conversations. He highlights tools like the 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard to help leaders set goals, track progress, and foster accountability. With actionable advice on asking the right questions and creating a supportive culture, Eric equips leaders to build stronger teams and achieve long-term success. He closes with a call to...
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No Ego, No Surprises: The Succession System That Actually Works
Construction Genius
What is the greatest remark in your leadership? Is it what you’ve left behind, or is it what you’ve built? Brad DesJardin, retired president of DesCor Builders, joins today’s episode to explore a succession system that works, embedded with values, clarity, and trust. Through the lens of the construction industry, we discuss how to create a lasting impact by planning with purpose, raising the right people, and letting go at the right time. Whether you are a founder thinking about taking the next step or a leader stepping into a bigger role, join us and listen as a reminder; legacy isn’t...
info_outlineKevin 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
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How Kevin’s upbringing and exposure to architecture from a young age influenced his career path.
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The unexpected ways literature and anthropology have shaped modern architectural thought and Kevin’s personal design philosophy.
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The key characteristics that define good architecture and how it impacts urban environments and the people who inhabit them.
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Why community-driven design is essential in making architecture more inclusive and meaningful for residents.
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How modern sustainability efforts, technology, and AI are changing the way architects approach design.
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The shift towards collaboration in construction and why architects and contractors must work together more effectively.
💡 Key Takeaways
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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.
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Sustainability Must Go Beyond Surface-Level Solutions – True green architecture requires deeper innovation than just adding vegetation to a building’s exterior.
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Collaboration is the Future – The adversarial nature of traditional construction practices is being replaced by a more cooperative approach that benefits all stakeholders.
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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.