A 1947 Fortune article famously dubbed construction “the industry capitalism forgot,” highlighting its enduring reluctance to embrace the latest trends. But this isn’t mere reluctance—it's a profound recognition that human expertise is what propelled our industry forward in the past and is needed today more than ever.
The construction landscape is at a crossroads, grappling with significant challenges in cost and efficiency. For instance, while the Empire State Building was famously built in just one year and 45 days, recent projects like New York’s East Side Access Project and San Francisco’s Salesforce Tower have taken years, if not decades, to complete. This reflects accumulating red tape, NIMBYism, and the increased complexity of building these structures.
One of the primary culprits behind this increasing complexity is the soaring cost of construction projects. Over recent decades, expenses associated with materials and labor have skyrocketed, exacerbated by inflation, supply chain disruptions, and a shortage of skilled labor. Another critical issue lies in the inherent inefficiencies of the construction process itself. Unlike manufacturing, where processes can be standardized and optimized, each construction project is bespoke, requiring tailored solutions and constant on-site adjustments.
Going forward, the true strength of the $170 billion-a-year commercial construction industry will lie in applying leadership skills to what is arguably one of the most complex businesses on earth. Imprinting our skylines with towering skyscrapers requires the coordination of hundreds, often thousands, of diverse stakeholders. These include various building trades, powerful financial institutions, local, state, and federal governments, unions, and community organizations that might want to halt the project. It requires building massive structures in crowded urban centers and navigating multiple supply chain disruptions, each with specific challenges. Try asking ChatGPT to handle that kind of complexity and manage those types of human interactions.
As CEOs who have each run our own major commercial construction companies, we believe that technology can enhance but cannot replace the nuanced judgment and problem-solving skills of leaders.
We believe the lessons we’ve learned over decades of building some of the most iconic projects in modern history—including One World Trade Center, Canary Wharf, Disney Paris, and the restoration of the Statue of Liberty, offer valuable insights for any executive managing complex projects, regardless of the industry.
We’d like to share with you the five mindsets that have helped us bring these massively complex projects in on time and on budget. We believe these five mindsets will be helpful to most leaders in almost any situation.
Courageous decision-making about talent
Successful project management is not just about using tools. It requires visionary leadership and strategic thinking. It involves making tough decisions, like assessing whether you have the right team or if a less effective member needs to be replaced. While challenging decisions are often unpopular, they require courage and conviction and are fundamental to achieving exceptional results at every stage of anyone's career.
During the Canary Wharf development, the complexity of managing diverse teams of international workers, each with their unique skills and perspectives, required making some difficult calls. It was an incredibly high-stakes environment, and we prioritized what was best for the project, even when it meant replacing certain team members who weren’t aligned with the goals. It’s not a popularity contest—it’s about ensuring the right outcomes and having the courage to tell people what they need to know, not just what they want to hear.
Openness to outside perspectives
As a leader, you want to have all the answers and be the smartest person in the room. But to solve complex problems, it helps at times to be more humble, willing to be challenged by those who truly know their craft, and to listen to their unconventional solutions to seemingly intractable problems.
For example, when restoring the Statue of Liberty in 1986, traditional cleaning methods proved ineffective due to the structure’s age and materials. Rather than sticking rigidly to what had always been done, our openness to unconventional ideas from outside experts led us to solutions like using liquid nitrogen to freeze off paint layers and bicarbonate of soda to remove tar coatings. It is unlikely that a computer program could have come up with these innovative solutions—and with ChatGPT still prone to hallucinating, the wrong suggestion could have destroyed a wonder of the world.
What it took was a willingness to explore non-textbook methods that not only solved the problems but also demonstrated that no challenge is insurmountable when you’re willing to put your own biases aside and listen to new ideas.
Authentic communication and transparency
In any complex project, transparency and authenticity are key to building trust and ensuring alignment among all stakeholders. Often, it’s not about delivering the message people want to hear but about delivering the truth, even when it’s difficult. Clients and team members respect honesty and frank discussions lead to the best solutions.
During the construction of the Atlanta Olympics venues, early transparency about budget overruns allowed for timely adjustments and alternative solutions.
By bringing potential problems to light upfront, the team avoided last-minute disasters and maintained the integrity of the project. Being forthright about challenges, from budget overruns to design flaws, is the only path to successful outcomes. When things go wrong, they don’t get better without honesty and immediate intervention.
Relentless pursuit of the best solutions
Complacency is the death knell of decision-making in construction. It is crucial to be willing to challenge assumptions, avoid taking things at face value, and fight for the best solution. We never stop until the best answer is clear and verifiable.
At One World Trade Center, the original asymmetrical design advocated for by other leaders on the design and project teams posed significant risks, both structurally and financially. Our relentless pursuit of the right solution led us to advocate for a symmetrical design. The result? Look at the New York City skyline—the structure stands tall, proud, and symmetrical. Our decision saved the project nearly $300 million while ensuring its structural integrity and aesthetic appeal, all while keeping everyone working on the project satisfied.
Success in construction, and any industry, depends on the mindset that you can’t rest until the correct path is fully vetted, even if it requires challenging the initial plan or experimenting with unconventional approaches.
Resilient leadership in the face of uncertainty
Every construction project is unique—and unforeseen challenges are inevitable. The resilience to adapt, make quick adjustments, and maintain focus amidst chaos is essential for success. Effective leadership involves listening to diverse perspectives and fostering a culture where everyone on the team feels valued and part of the process.
This is something I’ve especially learned working with megaprojects like airports and major transit centers. With so many government partners in the mix across public and private interests, there’s additional room for uncertainty. Needs and stakeholder goals can change quickly, and the team might need to push on, even if the road ahead looks rocky.
Large-scale projects such as the New Terminal One at JFK and LaGuardia Airport succeeded because of resilient leadership that emphasized collaboration, embraced complexity, and made difficult decisions when necessary—always ensuring that every team member feels their input is valued.
Tech should augment, not replace, experience
The construction industry is at a crossroads where the balance between technological advancements and human expertise is more crucial than ever. While technology can streamline processes, it cannot replace the critical judgment, leadership, and problem-solving that drive success.
For those aspiring to lead, the real lesson lies in the daily commitment to these mindsets—embracing diverse perspectives, making tough, confident decisions, fostering transparency, and seeking the right solutions.
These leadership principles transcend industries, and the most impactful leaders will be those who marry innovation with enduring wisdom. By doing so, they won’t just tackle today’s challenges—they’ll build the groundwork for sustained success.
