Leadership Team Communication

Open and frequent communication does not automatically build great projects or construction companies.

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But it does certainly increase the odds to the point where great communication inside and outside the company is a competency that leaders should work to deliberately build.

Quote: We are so aligned that we don't even talk to each other when you aren't here. Management Team at Anonymous Contractor. Book: The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle.

Communication is a skill that can be built just like any other.  Communication is something that must be practiced and coached daily until it becomes a habit just like teaching someone a trade skill.  

Communication includes verbal, non-verbal (body language) and written skills.  

For the construction industry the ability to make diagrams, schedules, sketches and mark-up drawings are critical communication skills.  

Communication is as much about listening to and learning from others as it is about ensuring that you are heard.  

Communication is about both informal and formal communication routes and operating rhythms.  The “water cooler” is critical for building relationships and sharing ideas. As contractors and projects scale up in size there is more need for formalized communication paths such as the submittal process as well as routine meetings and standardized agendas for ensuring communication happens.  

Communication is a major aspect of culture as Daniel Coyle explores in The Culture Code




PICK SMART Improvements
Contractors will never have enough resources to solve all problems or take advantage of every opportunity they face. There are a couple tools that can be used to align the team around the best utilization of resources:
Changes - Problem or Fact?
If you perceive that changes are a problem in construction, then you are likely framing them as a point of blaming others. This framing will impact your ability to effectively manage changes.
Return on Working Capital (Project Level)
Reduce risk and increase returns by analyzing opportunities and selecting those that offer the highest return on working capital.