Written by: Brian Hennesy, Executive Director, Compass Canyon Builders
Construction: the controlled chaos of turning ideas, dirt, steel, and deadlines into something that didn’t exist yesterday. What the field has lacked, historically, is multidisciplinary perspective. And this gap is quietly becoming the difference between contractors that stall and contractors that scale.
For decades, leadership in construction was often equated with toughness alone. Push harder. Talk louder. Solve problems fast. That approach worked until projects became more complex, contracts more detailed, clients more sophisticated, and margins tighter. Today, leadership isn’t just about grit. It’s about clarity, communication, and trust.
One of the biggest ego-driven failures I see in construction isn’t bad intent – it’s ego getting in the way of progress. “We’ve always done it this way.” Assumptions instead of questions. Inaction instead of documentation. Reacting instead of listening. When communication breaks down or documentation is sloppy, projects don’t just slow down, they unravel.
We saw this firsthand last year on a project we provided construction management services for. The contractor didn’t fail because they lacked determination or perseverance. They failed because they didn’t read their contract, didn’t document decisions, didn’t manage safety, and relied on a shotgun approach to problem solving where disciplined planning was required. The result was predictable: contract breach, distrust, and risk for everyone involved.
The turnaround hasn’t required heroics. It’s required the multidisciplinary perspective combining an improved design approach, safety as a priority, proper documentation, clear communication channels, and honesty with stakeholders. It has taken leadership that shows up under pressure and chooses to do what’s right, even when it’s harder. Owner selections are now documented. Subcontractors know expectations with access to project requirements. The city sees a professional team. Progress follows process.
That same mindset applies to how we develop people.
Mentorship is often misunderstood. You don’t need one mentor for everything. It’s healthier, and more effective, to have multiple mentors for specific disciplines. I’ve learned client communication from a superintendent who could disarm tension and guide people toward solutions. I’ve learned financial discipline from mentors who think long-term about money and life. I lean on engineers and other builders for constructability insight. That layered mentorship can build well-rounded leaders rather than one-dimensional managers.
This is where Elevate EdAZ plays an interesting role.
Elevate EdAZ (elevateedaz.com), part of the Phoenix Chamber Foundation, has created a workforce pipeline that didn’t exist before. Students aren’t just observing job sites; they’re learning the trades, basic blueprint reading, and real-world skills that allow them to contribute from day one. That’s an investment in Arizona’s future and a practical solution to our labor shortage.
Compass Canyon is committed to that investment. We’re hiring our first Elevate EdAZ construction student this spring semester and bringing them on as a Field Professional. We’ll mentor them, challenge them, and help them grow because helping others succeed is how this industry strengthens itself. Shout out to Grace at Elevate EdAZ who has been instrumental in building our relationship with the organization!
Compass Canyon’s slogan is “Developing a Brighter Future” – a big part of this is accomplished by engaging with organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber and Elevate EdAZ to help the next generation find their path and make the best of it.
The construction industry’s future, or any industry’s future, won’t be won by ego. It will be won by leaders who are grounded, polished, and fortified by embracing multiple perspectives. Leaders who communicate clearly, document relentlessly, mentor intentionally, and understand that doing what’s right is the most positively impactful, and profitable, long-term strategy.
Let’s evolve how we lead, how we elevate our teams, our communities, and Arizona’s as a whole. Look through the lens of others and take on multiple perspectives – this is the competitive advantage many don’t leverage.