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The Deep Dive: Be The Submarine
We are often told in the construction industry that leadership looks like aggression. That you need to dominate the room to command it. The myth is that you have to be the one pounding the table to get things done.
But if I tried to lead that way, I wouldn't last a week.
In six years of managing projects, I have never raised my voice. My projects are successful, my clients are satisfied, and (most of) my subcontractors actually enjoy the process.
Quiet leaders are like submarines. Unlike the destroyer that dominates the surface with noise and waves, the submarine runs deep. We navigate by data and preparation. When we finally speak, it isn't noise. It is a calculated strike based on deep preparation.
We rely on facts, not volume. If you know the drawings better than anyone else in the room, you don't need to yell. You just state the truth.
The Field Story: The Glazing Subcontractor
I remember a specific conversation with a glazing subcontractor at the start of a major project. Their project manager was young and clearly inexperienced in the trade. I decided this was the moment to "set the tone."
I was stern, demanding, and frankly, arrogant. I talked down to him, picking apart his lack of knowledge to prove I was in charge.
In the moment, I felt powerful. But driving home that day, the feeling shifted. It wasn't until later that the reality sank in: I wasn't being a leader; I was confusing aggresion with strength. It was a terrible way to start a relationship with a critical trade partner. I spent the next few months working double-time to repair the trust I had broken in five minutes.
That interaction taught me that "toughness" without kindness isn't strength. It is usually just insecurity masquerading as authority.
The Life Tip: The Energy Audit
Treat your energy like a budget. You start the day with a limited amount.
The problem is that the natural state of a construction trailer will bankrupt you. The constant noise, the multitasking, and the "quick questions" drain your account dry before the afternoon even hits. To survive, you have to stop the spending.
My non-negotiable is a "Midday Reset."
I force a break in the chaos. I physically leave the trailer, walk the perimeter of the site away from the noise, and use that time to pray and clear the mental cache.
It validates that I am not just a "Builder"—I am a person. It reminds me that the chaos of the site does not own my peace.
Build with order,
Cormac Mahalick
The Essentialist Builder
P.S. If you are struggling with "Email Overload," that is the biggest enemy of the introvert. We rely on written communication, so our inbox must be clean. Next week, I'm breaking down my Inbox Zero system. Stay tuned.
