In this episode of Construction Trailblazers, host Samantha C. Prestidge sits down with Adam Hoots, founder of Construction A CHE Solutions and self-described Lean Construction Shepherd, for a real conversation about what lean construction looks like when you actually respect the people doing the work.
With more than 24 years of boots-on-the-ground experience and as a PhD candidate at Clemson University, Adam shares how his career began in the field as a teenager, why traditional lean transformations fail, and how ego, overwork, and poor planning continue to hurt both projects and people across the construction industry.
This episode goes beyond tools and buzzwords. Adam breaks down why coaching beats consulting, how leaders can earn buy-in without barking orders, and what it really means to balance the technical and human sides of construction. We also dig into superintendent burnout, accountability without micromanagement, and why getting “1% better” matters more than chasing massive overhauls.
If you’re a construction owner, superintendent, project manager, or operations leader who wants lean to actually stick on real jobsites, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, planning, and respect.
Key topics covered:
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Adam Hoots
02:28 Starting in construction as a teenager
07:05 College, career shifts, and early lessons
10:22 Lean construction and industry-wide challenges
11:53 Coaching teams and teaching at Clemson
12:58 Personal challenges and building community
14:10 Lean principles vs construction culture
21:34 Work, leadership, and personal sustainability
22:22 The “nail in the head” leadership metaphor
23:23 How to get buy-in on projects
25:26 Accountability without micromanaging
33:35 What it means to be a Lean Construction Shepherd
42:01 Practical ways to get 1% better
44:53 Final thoughts