Farm Boy Flow with a Bit of Grit with Boone White (Episode 89)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
Release Date: 10/02/2025
1 in 4 Builders are Neurodivergent. Lean Might Be Built for Them! – Hosted by the Chiles Bros (Episode 93)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
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The Chiles Bros: One Lean Geek. One Old Dawg. (Episode 92)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
In this absolutely, positively NO Bullshido kickoff episode, Adam Hoots sits down with Brian Chiles and Mike Chiles—two brothers with deep roots in relationships, leadership, and Lean thinking lived out in the real world. Brian came into construction from a teaching/coaching and project management background; Mike brings 20+ years in the industry, raising four kids while remaining relentless about respect for people and building teams that work together. This conversation is equal parts family, field, and flow. The Chiles Bros unpack why Lean is not a tool, why relationships are the real...
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Family, Flow, and Old Dawgs with Jeff Reilly (Episode 91)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
In this no-bullshido episode of Hoots on the Ground, Adam Hoots sits down with “Old Dog” Jeff Reilly—a devoted father, husband, and superintendent with Mill Creek Residential Trust whose leadership philosophy bridges family, craftsmanship, and continuous improvement. From his Boston union roots to leading modern Lean projects, Jeff shares how lessons from his ancestors, parents, and mentors shaped his mindset on respect, environment, and the true meaning of Kaizen. Together, Adam and Jeff dig deep into what it means to balance family, work, and wisdom in today’s construction world....
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The Old Dawgs Live at LCI Congress (Episode 90)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
Recorded live inside the Lean Construction Institute’s Live Podcast Booth at LCI Congress 2025, the Old Dawgs got together for an unfiltered, field‑first discussion. This fast‑moving conversation captures what decades of hard‑won (700+ years) experience have taught these seasoned Lean builders about the superiority of modern Lean construction methods over traditional methods. Led by podcast host Adam Hoots, this is one “Hoots on the Ground” episode you DO NOT want to miss! (And if you usually go audio-only for our podcasts, this one is one to WATCH – 12 Old Dawgs crammed into...
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Farm Boy Flow with a Bit of Grit with Boone White (Episode 89)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
In this no-bullshido episode, Adam Hoots chops it up with Mississippi’s own , a farm-raised boy, Christ‑follower, husband, dad of three, and unapologetic agitator for change. He is a General Superintendent with in Oxford, Mississippi. Boone traces his path from the old “yell‑and‑cuss” era to a worker-first approach powered by Last Planner, Takt, and disciplined make-ready planning. From Houston to Mississippi, he breaks down how humility and curiosity, not just grit, unlock flow, safety, and calmer, more predictable jobs. The duo tackles integrating CPM/Takt/Last Planner,...
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The Selfish Servant with Jesse “Chuy” Hernandez (Episode 88)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
In this no-bullshido episode of Hoots on the Ground, host reconnects with —the plumber’s son turned foreman, GC leader, consultant, author, and unapologetic “selfish servant.” Jesse shares his journey from apprentice to industry thought leader, tying sobriety, service, and Lean thinking together. He breaks down his three leadership lessons—zoom level, time horizon, and lingo—and shows how those same gaps cause project failures. Adam and Jesse also tackle problem-solving, the power of listening with eyes and ears, the myth of the “indispensable superintendent,” and why...
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Systems, Life & Pink Flags with Thomas LaMay (Episode 87)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
In this no-bullshido episode of Hoots on the Ground, Adam Hoots hangs out in Kyoto, Japan, with the one and only Thomas LaMay, a project leader at DPR Construction who’s got Lean systems and people-first thinking down to a science. What starts as a chat about bucket list experiences at the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 33) turns into a full-on masterclass on designing better production systems—and better lives for the people doing the work. Thomas dives into the importance of caring for the people on the job, from the simple things (like clean port-a-potties and shaded...
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Bridging the Mind, Hands & Heart in Construction with Dominic Desmarais (Episode 86)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
In this episode, host Adam Hoots connects with Dominic Desmarais, a Canadian mechanical engineer and Lean Construction enthusiast with more than two decades of experience. Recorded live from Kyoto, Japan, at The International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) 33, Dominic shares insights from his profound Lean journey, his passion for bridging the traditional divides between thinkers and doers, and the critical interplay of mind, hands, and heart in the workplace. Dominic examines the fundamental importance of human motivation and respect in the construction industry, drawing compelling...
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Stewarding Human Potential and Trust in Construction with John Toups (Episode 85)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
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Respect, Flow, and Transformation with Niklas Modig (Episode 84)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
info_outlineIn this no-bullshido episode, Adam Hoots chops it up with Mississippi’s own Boone White, a farm-raised boy, Christ‑follower, husband, dad of three, and unapologetic agitator for change. He is a General Superintendent with ICM Construction in Oxford, Mississippi. Boone traces his path from the old “yell‑and‑cuss” era to a worker-first approach powered by Last Planner, Takt, and disciplined make-ready planning. From Houston to Mississippi, he breaks down how humility and curiosity, not just grit, unlock flow, safety, and calmer, more predictable jobs.
The duo tackles integrating CPM/Takt/Last Planner, empowering trades to innovate, training the next wave of supers, and focusing on the real constraint: human-centered leadership.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Grit isn’t a strategy; when paired with humility and curiosity, we can design a better workflow.
- CPM, Takt, and Last Planner can (and should) work together to plan for flow.
- The top constraint is leadership capacity: developing people, not just schedules.
- Celebrate field-driven improvements—innovation snowballs when it’s recognized.
- Safer, cleaner, clearer sites = respect for people and better project outcomes.
KEY QUOTES:
- “Grit gets you started; humility and curiosity get you flow.”
- “When trades own the plan, safety and predictability show up.”
- “CPM, Takt, and Last Planner aren’t rivals—they’re instruments in the same orchestra.”
- “Clean, calm, and clear is what respect for people looks like in the field.”
RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED:
- The Lean Builder | www.theleanbuilder.com | Blog, book, resources, and a hub for the lean construction community.
- LCI – Lean Construction Institute | www.leanconstruction.org | Training, events, and thought leadership.
- Outbuild | www.outbuild.com | Scheduling platform aligning Last Planner, CPM, and Takt.
- “The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement” & “It’s Not Luck: Marketing, Production, and The Theory of Constraints” — Eliyahu Goldratt | Theory of Constraints fundamentals.
- “Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss without Losing Your Humanity” — Kim Scott | Care personally, challenge directly.
- “Bottleneck Rules: How to Get More Done (When Working Harder Isn’t Working” — Clarke Ching | Practical focus on constraints.
GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Adam Hoots | LinkedIn | Podcast host for Hoots on the Ground and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions.
- Boone White | LinkedIn | General Superintendent with ICM Construction and an advocate for Lean Construction and worker-first leadership.
ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:
The Lean Builder’s absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that matter most to those in the field. With stories from the trenches, lessons learned, and plenty of laughter, this podcast is for the men and women doing the hands-on work of construction.