Construction Leaders Podcast Summary
Episode: Foundations of Success: Building High-Performing Construction Teams
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Host/Author: Construction Management Association of America
Guests:

• Timothy Singleton, PMCM Business Leader at Jacobs
• Aya Kurokawa, Architect and Principal at isgenuity

Introduction

In the episode titled "Foundations of Success: Building High-Performing Construction Teams," Carly Trout and Evan Hendershot delve into the critical elements that constitute high-performing teams within the construction industry. With tight deadlines, slim margins, and uncompromising safety standards, building robust teams emerges not merely as a beneficial aspect but as a significant competitive edge.

Guest Introductions

Carly Trout opens the discussion by introducing the guests:

• Timothy Singleton brings extensive experience in construction management across sectors like higher education, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. As the PMCM business leader for Jacobs in New England, Tim has focused on enhancing project outcomes through lean methodologies and fostering diverse teams.

• Aya Kurokawa shares her background as an architect and principal at isgenuity, with over 25 years in design and architecture. Aya emphasizes her passion for mentoring, shaping creativity, and promoting inclusive processes. Her involvement with organizations such as Professional Women in Construction and the National Organization Minority Architects informs her perspective on team dynamics and performance.

The Evolution of High-Performing Teams

Aya Kurokawa provides context on the longstanding conversation between her and Tim regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) as foundational to building pipelines for high-performing teams. She notes, “[...] building the pipeline conversation, we're trying to make it a bigger conversation” ([22:32]).

Timothy Singleton recounts the origins of this dialogue during a 2018 symposium at Willis College, where industry professionals debated the shortcomings of the existing system and identified pipeline building over mere percentage targets as a sustainable solution. He states, “[...] instead of just trying to look good for a day or a year or a project, looking at just percentages. Because the growth in percentages as an industry, they weren't going all that fast.” ([05:28])

Defining High-Performing Teams

When asked to define high-performing teams, both guests emphasize diversity and psychological safety as key components:

• Timothy Singleton highlights that diverse teams bring a variety of thoughts and experiences, enhancing project outcomes. “[...] if you're allowing folks that think differently to have the safety to say what they want to say, you're missing out on that high performing team.” ([08:09])

• Aya Kurokawa expands on this by linking diversity to broader perspectives, increased creativity, and better decision-making. She underscores the importance of inclusive workplace culture and psychological safety, stating, “[...] the foundation of psychological safety, of creating a workplace culture, creating a team environment [...] creates a sense of belonging and ownership from all folks who are touching and thinking about the project.” ([10:01])

Key Elements in Building High-Performing Teams

The conversation identifies several critical elements:

1. Diversity and Inclusion:

   • Emphasized as essential for bringing varied perspectives and enhancing team performance.
   • Aya mentions leveraging diverse backgrounds to foster creativity and problem-solving.

2. Psychological Safety:

   • Creating an environment where team members feel safe to voice ideas without fear of belittlement.
   • Tim notes, “Everybody's comments are valuable and that alone makes for a really strong team.” ([09:23])

3. Mentorship and Continuous Improvement:

   • Aya advocates for mentorship as a cornerstone for professional growth and team development.
   • Commitment to lean principles and ongoing improvement ensures teams evolve and adapt.

4. Sustainable Practices:

   • High-performing teams consider sustainable resource use and community investment.
   • Aya states, “[...] they leverage the best of the local resources and then they invest in the communities and embrace the ecosystem [...]” ([12:16])

Real-World Examples

Timothy Singleton shares an example of the Wellesley College Science Building project:

• Wellesley College Science Building:
  • Initially challenging due to diverse backgrounds and lack of immediate connection.
  • Over time, the team harnessed diversity to align client expectations, resulting in a successful project delivered ahead of schedule and under budget.
  • Tim remarks, “We ended up with a great project way beyond schedule and budget. So when the clients walk in the door, they're smiling because we manage their expectations and satisfaction.” ([13:29])

Aya Kurokawa discusses a gender-inclusive restroom project:

• Gender-Inclusive Restroom Project:
  • Aimed to serve an underserved LGBTQIA community by creating a space of safety and dignity.
  • The project involved integrating authentic voices from the community to inform design decisions.
  • Aya explains, “[...] it's really about creating a space that is welcoming and that is safe and provides and fosters that sense of safety for all.” ([15:37])

Fundamentals for Building High-Performing Teams

When advising organizations on developing high-performing teams, both guests outline several fundamentals:

• Cultivating Workplace Culture:

  • Establishing psychological safety and an inclusive environment where ideas can be shared equitably.
  • Aya states, “You really need to create that culture of being able to contribute ideas equitably and that comes along with [...] psychological safety.” ([19:54])

• Understanding Team Members:

  • Recognizing and valuing the diverse skills and experiences each member brings.
  • Aligning team goals with organizational visions to ensure collective commitment.

• Commitment to Lean Principles and Continuous Improvement:

  • Embracing lean methodologies to streamline processes and enhance efficiency.
  • Maintaining a focus on improving project outcomes and client satisfaction.

Resources and Further Learning

Timothy Singleton suggests various avenues for organizations to deepen their understanding of building high-performing teams:

• Books and Conferences:

  • Exploring literature on team performance and attending industry conferences.
  • "People Profit Connection, How to Transform the Future of Construction by Focusing on People" available at cmanet.org Bookstore.

• Professional Networks and Symposiums:

  • Engaging with industry symposiums and expanding conversations beyond traditional boundaries.
  • Encouraging participation in organizations that support mentorship and DEIB initiatives.

Aya Kurokawa emphasizes the role of mentorship and active participation in professional communities:

• Mentorship Programs:
  • Fostering internal mentorship within firms and participating in external mentorship opportunities.
  • Encouraging contributions to organizations like Professional Women in Construction to promote inclusive environments.

Conclusion

The episode underscores that building high-performing construction teams is intrinsically linked to fostering diversity, ensuring psychological safety, and committing to continuous improvement. Through real-world examples and actionable advice, Tim Singleton and Aya Kurokawa provide listeners with a comprehensive framework for developing resilient and high-achieving teams. Carly Trout and Evan Hendershot conclude by directing listeners to valuable resources and teasing the next episode's focus on handling tough conversations in construction leadership.

Notable Quotes:

• Aya Kurokawa ([03:54]): “[...] the patience and creativity that you had in that role applied to what you're doing today.”
• Timothy Singleton ([05:28]): “Instead of just trying to look good for a day or a year or a project, looking at just percentages. Because the growth in percentages as an industry, they weren't going all that fast.”
• Timothy Singleton ([09:23]): “Everybody's comments are valuable and that alone makes for a really strong team.”
• Aya Kurokawa ([10:01]): “[...] creates a sense of belonging and ownership from all folks who are touching and thinking about the project.”
• Timothy Singleton ([13:29]): “We ended up with a great project way beyond schedule and budget. So when the clients walk in the door, they're smiling because we manage their expectations and satisfaction.”
• Aya Kurokawa ([15:37]): “[...] it's really about creating a space that is welcoming and that is safe and provides and fosters that sense of safety for all.”
• Aya Kurokawa ([19:54]): “You really need to create that culture of being able to contribute ideas equitably and that comes along with [...] psychological safety.”

Additional Resources Mentioned:

• People Profit Connection: How to Transform the Future of Construction by Focusing on People – Available at cmanet.org Bookstore
• CMA Conferences: Opportunities to connect with peers and learn best practices for building high-performing teams.

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