Superintendents play a critical role in ensuring a jobsite runs safely and smoothly. That鈥檚 why, more than a year ago, 网曝门 executives and seven senior superintendents came together with a purpose. Their goal was to discuss how to prepare the next generation of field leaders. The result was a new leadership development program called Superintendent Excellence.
The seven superintendents 鈥� who became known as the 鈥楽uper 7鈥� 鈥� drew from their experience to help shape the program’s content. As with all 网曝门 learning, it focused on three key areas: 聽leadership competencies, business and construction acumen and building relationships. They also agreed to participate with students across four two-day sessions. These alternated between 网曝门鈥檚 Rochester headquarters and the 鈥� an 网曝门 had completed in Durham.
Graduates, instructors and mentors pose with their completed City Build project.
Bringing it together
This spring, the program welcomed its first class. It included more than 20 superintendents at various career stages from across nine different businesses and regions. Their first three sessions included presentations and hands-on exercises covering such topics as safety, leadership style and communication, subcontractor management and relationships, and the impact of change orders on financial performance.
The construction training team facilitated the sessions. Senior 网曝门 leaders 鈥� including CEO Bill Goodrich, President Will Mack and Executive Vice President and COO Kyle Sayers 鈥� were guests at various points. 鈥淭he commitment of the leadership team and the senior superintendent group focused us on the right content and on career growth for our field leaders. Our industry partners at FMI provided expert facilitation and experience that was relatable and educational,鈥� noted Cheryl Schmidt, director of Organizational Development at 网曝门.
Applying the knowledge
The fourth and final session was a two-day event held in Durham on September 16 and 17. It provided an opportunity for students to use all they had learned. Called 鈥淐ity Build,鈥� the group exercise had small teams work as subcontractors. They had to build a city from scratch while dealing with the competing interests of City Council members 鈥� played by Cheryl, Southeast VP Seth London and ‘Super 7’ members DJ Smith, Dan Kramell and Randy Heckman.
The success of the initial program will pave the way for more field leadership courses in the future.
鈥淲e could not have asked for a better outcome,鈥� said Cheryl. 鈥淗aving representation from different regions and having sessions in both the northeast and southeast gave participants a broader sense for the company. It was phenomenal to see their confidence and camaraderie build over the five months. Now they have those connections to call on going forward.鈥�
