Construction Management professionals aren’t exactly having a hard time finding positions right now. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics is predicting an 11% increase in demand in this decade – far surpassing the average for other industries*. The required skills on paper are fairly standard: Bachelor’s Degree, field training, onsite experience, detail-oriented, etc. What is often left out of this traditional job description are alternative skills that reflect on your character – which can make or break the Construction Experience of everyone involved - especially your clients. If you want to set yourself apart from other Construction Managers (and learn how to get ahead!) read on for the top 5 alternative skills to master for 2022.
Ironically, you can’t say communication enough! Being able to clearly, and concisely, communicate to stakeholders from all walks of life is an art form. Practice it, master it, and practice some more.
(This is intentionally short. I think it is clear and concise.)
Active Listening is not equal to waiting to talk (and not interrupting). Chances are if you truly reflect on what was just spoken to you, you would respond differently. Active listening requires truly hearing the concerns of the stakeholder beyond their chosen verbiage and acting on them in a way that fulfills their communicated request.
Read and listen between the lines (and pauses), and clarify what you heard with your client before continuing the conversation. Not only will you ensure you are solving the problem correctly, but you’ll also gain trust and empathy in the process - further nurturing the relationship.
There are many moving pieces and players throughout the construction process, all of whom will look to you for guidance and leadership. How you handle this captain role will heavily influence the atmosphere of the project. Do you want your team of vendors to be empowered, excited, and proud of their work? Do you give clear, realistic action items? Do they look forward to working with you on future projects?
Being a team captain means that you win, and lose, as a team. How do you handle this? Do you call out the issues, or call out the solutions? While accountability is necessary, dwelling on shortcomings (or worse, assigning blame and dodging responsibility) is not productive to anything except your ego. Keep your team positively empowered to do their best. Give praise when it is earned, and constructive coaching when it is required. The Milwaukee Bucks won the 2021 NBA Championship, not Giannis himself!
The best way to have a smooth project? Be proactive, not reactive! Think outside the box and get ahead of potential issues by thinking through all possible 'what if' scenarios (plus a few extras, for good measure). As cliché as it is, these are unprecedented times and there are supply chain issues. Previous timeline templates may no longer be accurate, so it is up to you to continuously modify them for the benefit of your stakeholders.
Another tip to be proactive? Take the forecast of your client into account. By sharing the forecast with suppliers, they can plan to support their growth instead of being blindsided by it. Many vendors will be happy to work with you to plan for your future - it results in a more reliable customer after all! If you need a place to hold the items, look into utilizing an Inventory Consolidation Program. (I know a guy!) While it may go beyond your scope as the Construction Manager of an individual location, this can help pay it forward for the future of your client. Chances are, you'll be on the shortlist to manage the next one.
Everything discussed here so far falls under the umbrella of Cognitive Empathy. According to the University of California - Berkeley, “Cognitive empathy,” sometimes called “perspective taking,” refers to our ability to identify and understand other people’s emotions.** You may be thinking ‘Cool – but how does that apply to Construction Management?’ The same way that it applies to any position – it can help you effectively communicate and be a better ally to your customers.
If it sounds overwhelming - don’t fret! This skill can be acquired and perfected if you practice - you will be amazed at how many incremental improvements will result in well-nurtured relationships. Let’s use a check-in meeting as an example.
Work to perceive and process the knowledge (and coinciding emotions) of your stakeholders. Take a moment to not only put yourself in their shoes, but all the pairs they have worn before. (this is in your head, so it shouldn’t smell). Perceive the situation as they do, or will, in the future. Take some open-ended time to avoid pressuring yourself and develop a good panoramic picture of the current state.
Take a few minutes before a client interaction to prepare – block out some time to develop the habit. Take a look at the agenda. What are their concerns? What is their knowledge base regarding today’s key agenda items? Is there a history with this topic I should take into consideration? How can I best explain the topics so they leave the meeting confident; with a clear and comprehensive understanding?
Take a few moments after the meeting to take a few notes that not only summarize the call but the emotional state as it progressed. Were you accurate in your preparations? Did you ease their concerns? Are they confident in your solutions? Block out some time again if you need.
While many places are looking for Construction Management professionals right now, take the time to set yourself apart from the crowd. Show that you bring more than the standard skills to the table, and will be an invaluable asset to the team.
Here at Spark, we are always looking for Construction Management Professionals who value these skills. Check out our careers page to learn more!
Thank you to the sources below:
*https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/construction-managers.htm
**https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/empathy/definition#what-is-empathy