Authentic leadership balances heart and spine. When you care personally, people feel respected; when you challenge directly, they know standards matter. Together, these create safety for truth and urgency for improvement. Teams move faster because feedback is timely, specific, and kind. Work becomes a place for growth, not a platform for politics.

Put it into practice today. Start one-on-ones by asking about goals and obstacles. Share the purpose behind expectations. Give concise, behavior-based feedback and ask, “What would make this clearer?” Agree on next steps, owners, and deadlines. Write them down so accountability is shared, not assumed.

Model the mindset. Invite critique of your decisions, thank candor publicly, and respond with action. Remove roadblocks within a day. Celebrate learning as much as wins. Over time, caring and challenging turn pressure into progress, conflict into collaboration, and ambition into results.

For sixty days, practice caring and direct challenge daily, request feedback, document commitments, celebrate candor, and remove obstacles within 24 hours.

Built by tradespeople for tradespeople, the Construction Platform is a movement to put craft back at the center of progress. It elevates blue-collar excellence and invites professionals to bring their whole skill set, story, and pride. When respect meets opportunity, careers and communities rise together.

Here, contractors, tradespeople, suppliers, and organizations come together to connect and collaborate. It is not a directory or job board; it is a living network where work flows, relationships deepen, and credibility grows. Share your portfolio, learn from peers, and find partners who value your standards, schedule, and safety.

If you build for a living, this is your place. Create your profile, show your craft, and help close the labor gap by opening doors for the next generation. When the people who actually build things lead the conversation, the industry becomes more inclusive, predictable, and proud.

Celebrate trades, connect professionals, build relationships, close labor gaps, grow opportunities, and reshape construction through a living, people-centered network.

This week in Minnesota, officials cut the ribbon on the Twin Ports Interchange in Duluth, marking the completion of a safety and freight mobility overhaul that is set to open to traffic later this month. Crews are completing final paving, barrier, and signage while shifting lanes to new bridges that replace the old Can of Worms configuration.

Modern interchanges separate movements, remove left exits, lengthen merge areas, and straighten curves. New flyovers and braided ramps reduce weaving when entering and exiting traffic. Structural work included deep foundations, steel and concrete girders, upgraded drainage, and taller barriers to shield neighborhoods from highway noise.

Because the corridor serves port trucks and commuters, work advanced in stages that kept lanes open most hours. Crews used night closures for heavy lifts, created temporary alignments, and coordinated with harbor schedules to maintain access to docks and downtown while ensuring safe operations.

Review traffic advisories, follow posted speed limits, allow extra time, and use marked detours to protect crews and enjoy smoother travel.

Mortgage demand slipped this week. MBA reports total applications fell 4.7 percent, with purchases down 1 percent and refinances off 8 percent. The average 30-year contract rate eased to 6.43 percent, while the ARM share rose to 9.5 percent, as 5/1 ARM quotes ran almost one percentage point below fixed rates.

For residential builders, purchase applications serve as an early indicator of traffic and backlog. A rising ARM share indicates that buyers are seeking relief from monthly payments. That often pushes builders toward rate buydowns and targeted concessions, trends already widespread last month, as indicated by survey data.

Use these readings operationally. Reprice buydown menus using today’s rate spread, refresh payment calculators for plans at key price points, and watch ARM uptake by buyer profile. Align starts with verified absorption in mortgage pre-approvals, rather than relying solely on model traffic, and confirms lender locks and float-down options.

Use weekly applications, rate spreads, and ARM share to tune incentives, payment options, and pace starts to verified local absorption.

Good morning, Team!

Today, we are covering the safe setup and operation of work zone traffic control and flagging around the site.

Why It Matters

Vehicle strikes can be fatal. Speed, distracted driving, limited sight distance, and low light conditions increase the risk for both crews and the public.

Strategies for Safe Traffic Control

Discussion Questions

Conclusion

Clear plans, visible control, and constant communication prevent vehicle strikes.

Plan it, set it, flag smart!