Episode 1: Why Construction Culture Needs Change

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Episode Description

In this debut episode of The Blueprint for Change, Taylor and Hector introduce the podcast, explore the current state of construction the good, the bad, and the ugly, and convey the importance of changing construction culture. From personal stories to hard truths about the industry, this episode lays the foundation for meaningful conversation that can spark the change our industry desperately needs.

Key Points

1. Meet the Hosts and the Podcast
   • Taylor
   • Hector
   • The Blueprint for Change
2. The Current State of Construction Culture
   • The Good – Camaraderie and Skills
   • The Bad – Long Hours and Burnout
   • The Ugly – Harassment and Hazing
3. The Greater Impact of Our Culture
   • Safety
   • Retention
   • Productivity
   • Financial Cost
   • Human Cost
4. How to Spark Change?
   • Start the Conversation

Episode Breakdown: Breaking Ground – Why Construction Culture Needs Change

The construction industry is built on a foundation of grit, hard work, and resilience. But let’s be honest—there’s another side to construction culture that too often gets overlooked. Long hours, burnout, hazing, safety issues, and a mentality that toughens people up but sometimes breaks them in the process.

That’s exactly why we launched The Blueprint for Change Podcast. This isn’t just about calling out what’s wrong—it’s about starting a movement. It’s about having the hard conversations that lead to real change, one job site at a time.

In our debut episode, Breaking Ground: Why Construction Culture Needs Change, we introduce ourselves, share our journeys in the industry, and tackle the realities—both good and bad—of construction culture. Whether you’re in the field, in the office, or leading from the top, this episode is for you.

Meet Your Hosts: Taylor & Hector

We’re Taylor Boileau and Hector Lebron, and while we come from different sides of construction—Taylor from the education side, Hector from the trades—we’ve both seen firsthand the challenges that need to be addressed.

🔹 Taylor’s Journey – From project engineer to superintendent, Taylor climbed the ranks in national general contracting firms. But after witnessing the culture firsthand—both the camaraderie and the challenges—she knew something had to change. She left her job in December 2024 to pursue The Blueprint for Change full-time.

🔹 Hector’s Path – Starting from the bottom in the trades, Hector worked as a stagehand, pipefitter, welder, ironworker, and scaffold builder before becoming an assistant superintendent. His journey wasn’t just about skill—it was about navigating the industry’s cultural challenges, from hazing to burnout.

Two different backgrounds, one shared mission: making construction culture better for the next generation.

The Good: What Keeps People in Construction

Despite its flaws, construction is an industry that builds more than just structures—it builds careers, lifelong friendships, and a sense of pride in what we create.

✅ Camaraderie & Brotherhood – You spend more time with your coworkers than your own family. These people become your support system. You go through hell together, and that creates unbreakable bonds.

✅ Pride in the Work – Few industries offer the satisfaction of seeing something tangible at the end of the day. You can point to a building and say, I built that.

✅ Opportunities for Growth – Whether you come from a family of tradespeople or find your way into construction another route, there are countless opportunities for those willing to learn. Apprenticeships, mentorships, and skill development can lead to an incredible career.

But for all the good in this industry, there’s a darker side we can’t ignore.

The Bad: Long Hours & Burnout

The long hours and high-pressure environment take their toll.

⚠️ Burnout is Real – The idea that “this is just how construction is” is killing us. 12-hour shifts, 6-7 days a week, back-to-back projects with no real breaks—this isn’t sustainable.

⚠️ Work-Life Balance? – In many companies, taking PTO feels like a battle. People are afraid to ask for time off or feel guilty when they do.

⚠️ Fatigue = Mistakes = Safety Risks – When you’re exhausted, mistakes happen. And in construction, mistakes can be life-threatening.

We’ve both experienced it firsthand—Hector with brutal 7-day work weeks in Florida, Taylor working 90-hour weeks during concrete pours. There’s a reason turnover is high in construction, and burnout is a major factor.

The Ugly: Harassment, Hazing & Psychological Safety

Let’s get real: harassment and hazing are still rampant in construction.

🚨 Hazing Disguised as “Tough Love” – There’s a difference between lighthearted teasing and intentional humiliation. Too many new workers are run into the ground instead of being supported.

🚨 Harassment & Fear on the Job Site – Taylor shares a story about being warned to lock her trailer doors because a supervisor was returning to site and it “wasn’t safe.” No one should feel unsafe at work—period.

🚨 Retaliation for Speaking Up – Reporting issues often leads to being blacklisted, demoted, or laid off. The fear of retaliation keeps people silent, which only allows toxic behavior to continue.

The bottom line? What we tolerate becomes accepted, and what is accepted becomes the norm. If we don’t challenge this culture, nothing changes.

The Greater Impact: Why Culture Change Matters

Culture isn’t just about how we treat each other—it affects everything.

📌 Safety First – Companies with positive cultures have fewer safety incidents. When workers feel psychologically safe, they report hazards instead of hiding them.

📌 Retention & Turnover – People don’t leave companies, they leave bad bosses. A strong leadership culture improves retention rates and saves companies thousands in recruitment and training costs.

📌 Mental Health & Suicide Prevention – Construction has one of the highest suicide rates of any industry. We’re losing people, not because they can’t do the job, but because the culture makes them feel isolated and unsupported.

📌 Productivity & Profitability – When people are burned out, unmotivated, or scared to speak up, productivity suffers. A healthier culture leads to better work, fewer mistakes, and higher profits.

This is why construction culture needs to change.

How Do We Change It?

Here’s the truth—change isn’t going to come from the top down. It’s going to take every person on every job site deciding that they won’t tolerate the things that don’t serve this industry.

🔹 Start the Conversation – Culture change begins by speaking up.

🔹 Support Your Team – Whether you’re an apprentice or a CEO, you can make someone’s day better or worse. Choose to make it better.

🔹 Hold Leadership Accountable – If you’re in a leadership position, remember: your people are watching. Your actions set the tone.

It’s not easy. It’s not comfortable. But this is how construction culture will change—one conversation, one person, one job site at a time.

Join the Movement

If you’re still reading, you’re already part of the change. Here’s how you can take action today:

📢 Subscribe – Click here to subscribe

📢 Start a Conversation – Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

📢 Join the Discussion – Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]

Let’s build a better future for construction—together.