“The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader must become a servant and a debtor.”
Max De Pree
THE ART OF LEADERSHIP
Define reality, serve people, gratitude seals lasting leadership!
Leadership begins with telling the truth about where you are and where you must go. The next move is a service that builds capability, and the enduring tone is one of gratitude. This idea, developed in “Leadership Is an Art,” urges leaders to define reality, serve people, and thank them promptly. The result is clarity, dignity, and momentum that outlasts pressure.
Put it into practice. Start meetings by naming the current state, the desired outcome, and a clear definition of ‘done’. Assign one owner per priority with precise dates. Share constraints so judgment improves. Track a few leading indicators you can influence today, review them weekly, and adjust without drama.
Lead like a mentor. Ask better questions, listen fully, and remove obstacles within a day. Give credit widely and coach privately. Thank people for their effort and insight, not only for their results. Over time, these habits create safety and raise standards. People bring problems early, propose solutions, and deliver results they are proud to sign off on.
In ninety days, clarify reality, set outcomes, assign owners, remove obstacles daily, celebrate gratitude weekly, model servant leadership, and sustain results.
COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION
How does HNTB turn infrastructure vision into dependable outcomes that strengthen communities?
HNTB transforms infrastructure visions into dependable outcomes by uniting engineering, architecture, planning, and program management under one unified mindset. For more than a century, the firm has helped shape mobility and community life, from bridges and highways to transit, aviation, and digital infrastructure. The throughline is partnership: listen early, align expectations, and translate complexity into clear commitments that keep projects moving.
Culture makes the difference. HNTB’s ideals emphasize respect, integrity, and excellence, treating people as the foundation of performance. Employee ownership and a disciplined focus on safety, quality, and ethics foster accountability that endures beyond ribbon cuttings. When teams are empowered to speak up and learn continuously, risks are identified sooner, decisions are sharpened, and results improve reliably.
The deeper insight is purpose. Infrastructure is not only concrete and code; it is access to opportunity. By pairing proven delivery with innovation in digital design, data, and resilience, HNTB helps clients build assets that serve today and adapt tomorrow. Communities see it in safer travel, stronger economies, and places that work for everyone.
Employee owners deliver integrated infrastructure with integrity, excellence, and collaboration, improving mobility, resilience, and community outcomes across generations.
INFRASTRUCTURE INDUSTRY
What insights does the I-96 Fruit Ridge opening offer savvy contractors?
Michigan opened the new I-96 Fruit Ridge Avenue interchange and pedestrian paths to traffic on October 27, replacing the 1961 structure. The thirty-million project, backed by a twenty-five-million state grant, widened the bridge from two lanes to five and improved local access.
Beyond ribbon-cutting, the business lesson is scope alignment. Pairing bridge replacement with interchange geometry delivers immediate safety gains and reduces future maintenance mobilizations. Early utility relocations and signal work cut schedule risk, while staging preserved traffic on I-96 and kept local businesses reachable during peak shopping hours.
For contractors and owners, lock in prices for price-sensitive items and crews before winter, document unit costs for future grants, and harvest before- and after-data. The new pedestrian connections will shape demand at corners and may justify adaptive signal timing, curb management, and transit stop upgrades in the following programming cycle.
Capture costs, document outcomes, secure suppliers, schedule winter work, and coordinate signals to lock safety gains and accelerate following grants.
RESIDENTIAL RESEARCH
Will HUD’s HOME rule delay reshape the timelines and budgets of affordable projects?
HUD extended the effective date for key parts of the new HOME rule to April 30, 2026, providing states and local program managers with time to update their systems and training. For developers using HOME gap financing, this reduces the risk of midstream compliance changes and offers breathing room for closings.
The immediate impact is sequencing. Some jurisdictions may reinstate paused awards and agreements, while others hold applications until new guidance is received. Construction pipelines tied to acquisition or rehabilitation can move forward with fewer documentation pivots, but teams should expect revised templates when the rule finally takes effect.
Act now by auditing funded deals and pending applications, flagging which provisions are delayed versus those that are active. Refresh closing checklists, lender conditions, and investor requirements. Reprice contingencies where schedule uncertainty eased, extend bid validity where helpful, and pencil in training for staff and partners ahead of the new start date.
Map HOME pipelines, verify delayed provisions, update closing checklists, align with lenders, schedule training, and carefully prepare closings before April 30, 2026.
TOOLBOX TALK
Working at Night or in Low Light Conditions
Good morning, Team!
Today, we are discussing how to stay safe when working after dark or in areas with limited visibility.
Why It Matters
Reduced light makes it harder to see hazards, hand signals, and moving equipment. Fatigue and glare also slow reaction times and increase the likelihood of trips, struck-by incidents, and errors that can lead to injury.
Strategies for Safe Night Work
Lighting and visibility: Inspect all work areas for adequate illumination before starting. Use temporary lights that provide even coverage without shadows or glare. Check cords and fixtures for damage. Wear reflective vests and bright clothing so operators can see you clearly.
Equipment and vehicles: Ensure headlights, backup alarms, and warning beacons function correctly. Clean lenses regularly to maintain brightness. Spotters must use illuminated wands or flashlights and stand in a position that allows them to be visible to operators.
Work planning: Keep the work zone organized. Clearly mark edges, drop-offs, and routes with cones or barriers. Stage materials away from traffic paths. Plan tasks that require precise work for daylight hours when possible.
Electrical and generator safety: Protect cords from water and traffic. Use GFCI outlets and verify grounding on generators. Never overload circuits or string cords overhead where they can snag.
Fatigue management: Rotate shifts to allow rest periods. Encourage hydration and nutrition to maintain alertness. Report dizziness or lack of focus immediately and take short breaks when needed.
Discussion Questions
What lighting will be used in our work areas tonight, and who checks the equipment before use?
How are pedestrian routes, traffic paths, and work zones separated after dark?
Conclusion
Good lighting, clear communication, and alert crews prevent accidents during night operations.
Light it, see it, work smart!
