TL;DR:

Set a routine to get out of the office and visit the crews. Repeat. Win.

When I was promoted from field engineer to project manager/estimator for a road construction company, I felt overwhelmed.

I was assigned my first job as PM and despite my prior years of training, insecurity and the pressure to deliver the job safely, correctly, on time, and at a profit was almost all I could think about.

I worried if I had “what it takes”. My inbox was filled with requests from the Owner and my boss, and I had all these new tasks and responsibilities. Plus I had multiple jobs to bid on that required takeoffs, bid reviews, and proposals.

Sure, I had worked under a talented manager for years leading up to this and our team on the project was top notch. But imposter syndrome was real. It felt like there were not enough hours in the day.

At the time, I thought the administrative tasks were key. I had built my priorities around “me” and not the team or company. I spent most of my time behind my computer in the office checking off to-do’s in my own silo. I failed to appreciate what priorities mattered.

When I finally called a mentor for help, he asked me a simple question: How often are you visiting the job and talking to the crews and owner? I said not often at all because there is a sea of other things requiring my attention. And he told me that if you are not getting your eyes on the work and staying connected with the people, you will lose. He suggested I set a routine where I visited the job at least 2 times a week for at least an hour. I was skeptical but gave it a shot. And it was one of the best pieces of advice I ever received. My productivity improved and within a few months, I earned a promotion to run the business unit. I attribute this to spending more time in the field.

Here’s what I learned:

1. Drive throughs don’t count

• Driving through the whole site each time is important, but a visit is not a real visit unless you exit your vehicle and talk to people.

• Let folks know you’re coming ahead of time.

• Leave your phone in your vehicle. The emails, texts, and calls can wait. Be where your feet are.

2. People are the engine of construction

• Get to know your crew members, subcontractors, and owner representatives. They do the work and you aren’t going anywhere without them.

• Shake every hand on the job when possible, know everyone’s name, and take a genuine interest in people (e.g. How are their children? How is their favorite sports team? How are things going in their lives? What don’t they like about what we’re up to?)

• You earn respect by showing others consistency and that you care.

3. Communicate a message, have an agenda, and ask questions

Share information about the company and project initiatives, performance, financials, and be honest. People don’t just want to hear good news and they enjoy stories.

I have found that 99% of team members (from the craftsperson to the operator to the CEO) want to do a good job and know how their performance is being measured. Be generous with information.

Don’t be the person who just blows smoke. Tell them how things are really going.

4. Management by Wandering Around (MBWA)

Seeing the actual work being put in place piece by piece teaches us things we can never learn in an office. This is critical for estimators of all experience levels as it helps one become sharper on future bids. Plus, it’s fun to be outside around people!

I learned to never get upset about an item that was losing money until I actually went out into the field and observed the work being performed on that item. And the first thing to do when you sense trouble on an item is to get out there, observe the crew, and engage with the people to work towards solutions.

Ask questions and understand the why behind the way things are being done.

Don't get distracted by how impressive everything looks on the job site, even when things seem to be going smoothly. Cost, safety, or quality issues could be hiding just out of sight. The key is to approach each visit with a beginner’s mindset - ask questions, even if they seem basic. Don’t be afraid to dig into the details, because people on the ground love sharing their expertise. Being curious and open can help uncover potential problems early.

5. If you’re having a crappy day in construction, a field visit is the elixir. Every time.

So, here’s my challenge to you. In the next week, carve out time for a site visit. Leave your phone in the vehicle. Spend an hour walking around and talking to people. See how you feel afterwards. Repeat.

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About the Author

Tristan Wilson is the CEO and Founder of Edgevanta. We make software that helps contractors win more work at the right price. He is a 4th Generation Contractor, construction enthusiast, ultra runner, and bidding nerd. He worked his way up the ladder at Allan Myers in the Mid-Atlantic and his family’s former business Barriere Construction before starting Edgevanta in Nashville, where the company is based. Reach out to him at [email protected]