The Human Foundation: How a Construction Executive Learned to Build Teams, Not Just Structures
Release Date: 04/08/2025
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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
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The Fighter Pilot Mindset Every Construction Leader Needs for Safer, Faster Projects
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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_outlineEffective leadership is about more than just navigating teams to success. It involves building trust, clear communication, and emotional intelligence. Influential leaders set clear expectations, provide necessary coaching, and focus on finding solutions during challenging times. Furthermore, they identify and value the importance of personal well-being and embrace practices to manage stress and maintain a positive mindset, which leads to a supportive, high-performing organizational culture.
Johnathan Peavy brings 20 years of experience building complex facilities to his role as operations manager for Robins & Morton, a national leader in healthcare construction. As executive of the Miami—Fort Lauderdale office, Peavy oversees projects at eight medical campuses in South Florida, with contracts totaling more than $1 billion. With a background in civil engineering, Peavy’s cross-discipline expertise makes him a unique asset to the construction process, and he takes pride in knowing the healthcare facilities under his purview have a lasting impact on the community. Peavy is a graduate of Auburn University and holds multiple credentials, including LEED AP and USACE CQM-C designations. He joined us today to talk about the importance of trust, accountability, and vulnerability in leadership to build teams.
HIGHLIGHTS
[00:43] Johnathan’s background and career journey.
[06:13] The balance between maintaining a family-like atmosphere and pushing for high-performance.
[10:22] Johnathan explains how he handle the loss of his mentor and the challenges of taking over.
[15:17] Johnathan’s approach to managing internal conflicts.
[18:27] The shift of mindset from handling individual projects to overseeing multiple projects.
[21:00] The importance of collaboration and communication.
[27:02] The importance of being open and direct during difficult conversations.
[30:08] Johnathan explains the importance of structure, balance, and self-care in managing a busy day.
[34:34] Presenting opportunities for improvement.
[38:32] Advice for leaders who are stepping into senior roles.
[44:01] The importance of vulnerability and emotional management in leadership.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
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Set clear expectations and define what success look like for both the individual and the company.
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Be open and vulnerable with your team, especially when faced with tough circumstances.
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Take time to meet with team members with all levels and show that you value their contributions.
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Shift from control to influence when handling a larger team.
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Start with clear communication by discussing expectations from the very beginning.
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Be direct and open when facing difficult conversations.
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Provide chances to improve employee performance before deciding to part ways.
RESOURCES
Connect with Johnathan Peavy
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/johnathan-peavy-leed-ap-66a1429
Website – robinsmorton.com/
Instagram - instagram.com/robinsmorton/