“People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.”
John C. Maxwell
THE ART OF LEADERSHIP
Earn trust first, and your vision will follow naturally!
Trust is the door through which every strategy must pass. When character, competence, and care are visible, people choose commitment, not mere compliance. Earn credibility first, and your message multiplies.
Start by showing up prepared, consistent, and curious. Share the why, the constraints, and the definition of done. Listen fully, paraphrase, and act on what you hear. Give credit publicly, deliver feedback privately, and remove obstacles quickly so progress stays visible.
Then align your calendar to promises. Keep small commitments to the minute. Celebrate learning and early wins. As trust compounds, your vision gains gravity, ideas move faster, and people lean in because they believe in you.
In ninety days, build trust rituals, clarify purpose, model consistency, invite feedback, and deliver small wins that prove dependable leadership.
COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION
How does Higginbotham make insurance more human while advancing client success nationwide?
Confidence grows when complexity becomes care. Higginbotham exists to make insurance more human, pairing expertise with empathy and accountability. As an independent, employee-owned firm, they align success with clients and deliver a single-source approach across business insurance, employee benefits, retirement, and HR services.
They call it a Day Two mindset. The work continues after coverage is placed through claims advocacy, compliance guidance, risk engineering, and data insights, all of which help leaders make faster decisions. With transparent communication and proactive reviews, they turn uncertainty into shared understanding and plans that actually perform.
Rooted in values and community commitment, Higginbotham blends national resources with local teams who know your market. Partners, carriers, and clients move in the same direction, building resilience and unlocking opportunity. When service is personal and continuous, protection becomes a platform for growth.
People first, employee-owned, single-source partner turning risk into clarity, delivering ongoing advocacy, measurable outcomes, and community-minded growth.
INFRASTRUCTURE INDUSTRY
Will the I-45 downtown rebuild finally shorten commutes and improve safety and reliability?
This week in Houston, crews are shifting traffic and starting deep foundation work for new elevated lanes on I-45 near downtown. Nighttime closures allow pile driving, demolition, and barrier moves while inspectors verify utilities and survey tie-in grades. The phase installs braided ramps and longer merges to reduce weaving where multiple freeways converge.
Modern interchanges separate conflicting movements and improve sight distance. Braided ramps let one ramp pass over another, while collector-distributor roads pull local traffic off the mainline to smooth flow. Designers pair these with improved drainage, crash-tested barriers, and noise mitigation so the corridor handles storm events, heavy trucks, and daily peaks more safely and reliably.
Construction sequencing keeps most lanes open by day and concentrates heavy lifts at night. Expect rolling slowdowns for girder deliveries, temporary striping, and brief ramp closures as crews pour columns and set beams. Businesses and neighborhoods remain accessible through signed detours and adjusted signal timing on parallel streets.
Watch nightly closures, follow detours, merge early, avoid distractions, respect crews, and plan extra time as interchange construction accelerates safely.
RESIDENTIAL RESEARCH
Will ICC hearings this week materially reshape 2027 residential code costs nationwide?
Committee hearings on the following International Residential Code are underway this week. The ICC is conducting Group B Committee Action Hearings from October 22 through October 30. These sessions set the baseline language many states and cities will adopt for 2027, shaping designs, timelines, and costs for single-family and small multifamily construction.
Proposals on the docket include stair and egress geometry, deck guards and connections, slab vapor retarder requirements, structural fasteners, and electrical and energy coordination. Some measures would expand the IRC to cover small multiplex buildings, while others target clarity and cost control. Committees hear testimony, debate cost and safety tradeoffs, and vote. There will be additional public comment, followed by a final vote next year before jurisdictions consider adoption.
Builders should triage proposals based on their impact on framing, concrete, and MEP scopes, then estimate unit cost deltas and schedule effects. Engage designers and local officials, submit comments when the stakes are high, and draft alternative specifications for items likely to change. Track adoption calendars so bid packages reflect the first effective dates in each market.
Assign a code lead, track proposals, quantify per-unit cost impacts, brief trades, and prepare alternate specs to protect schedules.
TOOLBOX TALK
Emergency Action and Evacuation
Good morning, Team!
Today, we are reviewing what to do in case of an emergency, such as fire, collapse, medical incident, or severe weather.
Why It Matters
A fast and organized response saves lives. Panic, blocked exits, or a lack of accountability can turn a minor incident into a major disaster.
Strategies for Prepared Response
Communication and alarms: Know how to report an emergency by radio, phone, or alarm pull station. Use precise phrases such as “Fire on level two” or “Medical emergency at laydown area.” Avoid unclear calls like “Help.”
Evacuation routes: Review the posted site map and exit paths. Keep routes and stairs free of debris and equipment. Know two ways out of every area. Move calmly to the assembly point and stay with your crew.
Accountability: Supervisors take roll call immediately at the muster point. No one reenters until cleared by the incident commander. Report any missing person or visitor right away.
Medical response: Know where the first-aid kits, AED, and the nearest clinic are located. Only trained responders provide care beyond basic assistance. Always summon professional help.
Fire and weather actions: For fire, evacuate first and fight only if you are trained and it is safe to do so. For severe weather, move to designated shelters away from windows and cranes. Stop work when alarms or lightning occur.
Discussion Questions
Where are today’s evacuation routes, assembly points, and medical stations?
Who carries the emergency contact list and roll sheet?
Conclusion
Clear communication, practiced routes, and quick accountability protect everyone.
Know it, follow it, respond smart!
