Most teams get praised for speed, output, and hustle. But if the goal is wrong, efficiency helps you arrive at the wrong destination faster. Covey’s ladder image is a warning: leadership starts before the sprint, when you decide what truly matters.

The “right wall” is purpose-made concrete that defines who you serve, what you won’t compromise, and what success looks like in measurable terms. Leaders earn trust when they protect focus, say no to attractive distractions, and make trade-offs visible so people can commit without second-guessing.

Before you optimize execution, run a “wall check.” Write the single outcome you want, the metric that proves it, the two constraints you must honor, and the one activity you will stop. Share it, invite pushback, then align plans to it. Clarity on direction makes the effort meaningful.

Before the next project, define the “right wall” and cancel one misaligned priority.

PCL is an employee-owned construction partner that blends experience with modern, digital ways of working. Instead of treating jobs as one-off transactions, it emphasizes long-term relationships and shared accountability for results.

A clear theme is protecting people. PCL says it will not compromise on safety and aims for zero incidents, supported by disciplined planning and follow-through. That same discipline shows up in its promise of consistency: staying engaged, solving problems early, and meeting commitments.

It also frames building as a responsibility to the future. PCL highlights sustainability and purpose, aiming to create a positive impact for clients, partners, and the communities where projects are delivered. Through a culture of giving, employees are encouraged to support local communities and translate onsite success into meaningful change off-site.

A safety-driven, employee-owned culture turns projects into purposeful, sustainable community outcomes.

A fresh wave of talk in the industry follows the latest federal jobs release, which signaled that construction hiring picked up after a softer stretch. Infrastructure contractors see demand holding steady across highway, bridge, and water programs. Still, they also face the same bottleneck: experienced craft labor is harder to find than work to bid on. When firms add headcount quickly, they often do so by poaching, which increases wages and turnover simultaneously.

On active projects, labor tightness manifests as overtime, thinner subcontractor benches, and longer waits for specialty crews such as electrical, concrete, and traffic control. Owners are responding with earlier notice-to-proceed dates, tighter prequalification, and contract language that rewards schedule certainty, not just low price. Crews feel the pressure from rework, risk, safety exposure, and rushed quality checks when staffing is thin.

The smartest builders treat workforce planning like a critical path item. They secure pipeline access with unions, trade schools, and veterans groups, build apprenticeships into bids, and use prefabrication and standardized details to reduce onsite labor hours. Retention matters too: stable supervisors, predictable shifts, and clear productivity targets beat constant churn.

Treat hiring as a pipeline: recruit, train, and retain year-round.

A major compliance deadline is approaching for builders who rely on federally backed financing programs. As 2026 progresses, more jurisdictions and projects tied to federal standards are moving toward the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, pushing energy performance from “nice to have” into a permitting and closing requirement.

For residential construction, the impact shows up in the details: tighter envelope targets, upgraded insulation and windows, improved duct sealing, and additional documentation and testing. Even small spec changes can ripple through bids, schedules, and subcontractor coordination, especially when teams are still staffed for older code assumptions. Builders who underprice the scope risk margin erosion, while those who overcorrect may lose buyers in payment-sensitive markets.

The smart response is operational, not political. Update plan sets now, lock consistent assemblies with suppliers, and budget for third-party verification early. Train trades on air sealing and sequencing, and build a clear compliance checklist into your pre-drywall inspections so you do not discover failures at final.

Update specs now to meet 2021 IECC and avoid rework.

Morning crew. Today, we are focusing on falling objects and dropped tools when working overhead, on scaffolds, lifts, roofs, and steel. A tape measure or wrench can exert significant force on the way down, so the goal is to keep anything from leaving the deck.

Before you start, scan two levels: the level you are working on and the level below. If anyone could pass under you, stop and set controls. Put up a barricade and post a spotter at busy access points, or use a canopy, debris net, or catch platform. Ensure guardrails have toeboards and screening where needed to prevent bolts, scrap, and hand tools from sliding or bouncing off. Keep materials well back from the edges, and never stage items on guardrails. Close tool bags and parts bins, and keep the area tidy so nothing gets kicked.

Tether what you can. Use purpose-made lanyards and attachment points, inspect them for cuts, frays, and damaged hardware, and anchor them to a solid surface. Do not improvise with tape, zip ties, or rope. Secure unused tools and loose items, especially if the wind picks up.

Pass the tools hand to hand. When hoisting, use secured containers, keep loads balanced, and use taglines to prevent the load from swinging.

If something falls or almost falls, call out, stop work, and report it so we can fix the setup. Any questions before we roll?

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