Empowering Growth Through Experience: Why Being Open-Minded Provides the Best Road to Success

After over three decades in the construction industry, I’ve come to understand that growth doesn’t always come from the moments we plan for. More often, it’s shaped by the unexpected—the challenges, setbacks, and shifting circumstances that force us to adapt.

My career has been defined by unexpected turns, challenging situations, and obstacles that I chose to view as opportunities. These challenges forced me to pause at each step and ask why I continue to show up every day. Through those experiences, I’ve learned that great leadership is not necessarily about titles or promotions. It’s measured by the legacy we build and the impact we leave behind—through the decisions we make, the people we develop and advocate for, and the standards we uphold throughout our careers.

Navigating Tough Times with Resilience

One of the most formative chapters of my career unfolded during a significant economic downturn in 2009-2012. During that period, I was asked to step into a role I hadn’t originally envisioned for myself and remained there for several years as both the company and the broader industry navigated through one of the toughest market environments in recent history.

Like many professionals navigating uncertainty, I spent a great deal of time questioning my path, my purpose, and whether I was still progressing or sitting idle. In those moments, it’s easy to fixate on what feels stalled—career advancement, personal goals, or the next milestone—rather than recognizing what is still possible.

A pivotal conversation with a now-retired senior executive and mentor fundamentally shifted my perspective. He challenged me to rethink how I defined success and to shift my focus from short-term advancement to long-term impact. Instead of focusing on the next title and raise, I was reminded of what drew me to this work in the first place: the opportunity to contribute to something larger than myself—to become part of the solution versus just pointing out the problems.

That shift in mindset was transformative for me. When I stopped focusing on the next role and instead concentrated on how I could add value, develop others, and strengthen the organization in the present, everything else truly began to fall into place.

That perspective has shaped how I lead today. I consistently try to stay adaptable, embrace unexpected opportunities, and remember that no role or task is ever too small for me to roll up my sleeves if necessary—those are core principles in my approach. This philosophy has guided how I’ve taken on new opportunities and challenges, built trust with clients and business partners, and cultivated strong, talented and resilient teams. I believe every individual, regardless of title or tenure, has the power to make a meaningful and lasting impact.

Defining Leadership Through Experience

Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room—although it took me some time to fully recognize that. It’s about listening, observing, and creating an environment where people can do their best work. It’s about leading by example and helping shape the next generation of leaders by showing them what success truly looks and feels like. I love to use challenging problem-solving situations as learning opportunities when I can by bringing less experienced team members alongside me through job shadowing. It allows me to remain engaged while giving meaningful, first-hand exposure to others on how creative solutions come together in real time.

Finding your sweet spot

Throughout my career, I’ve seen time and again that success is often driven more by alignment rather than just by aptitude. I’ve seen highly capable and talented professionals who struggled not because they lacked skills, but because they were placed in roles that didn’t leverage how they think or operate best. In several instances, individuals who felt uncomfortable, stretched, or stressed in one position started to thrive when moved into roles better suited to their strengths.

When leaders take the time to recognize potential and intentionally create opportunities for growth, the impact can be transformative. By staying curious about an individual’s strengths and passions, remaining flexible in how their development is supported, and being genuinely invested in people’s success, leaders can build stronger teams, accelerate innovation, and foster confidence. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by chance; it happens through deliberate, thoughtful development plans and actions that make people feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Looking Ahead

As we look ahead, our responsibilities are clear. We must continue to break down silos, share knowledge without hesitation, and invest deeply in the growth and development of our teams. Progress depends on our willingness to embrace new ideas, elevate diverse perspectives, and create real opportunities for others to lead, innovate, and challenge our thinking. Surrounding yourself with diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and styles is one of the most important things I’ve done as a leader to stay relevant throughout my career.

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about having the courage to keep asking the right questions. It’s about staying curious, remaining adaptable, and creating the kind of culture where people feel empowered to step forward, take ownership, and make an impact regardless of their role.

In the end, a fulfilling and successful career isn’t built on a perfectly planned path, but on the willingness to stay open to change, embrace uncertainty, and continuously learn along the way. When we shift our focus from personal advancement to meaningful contribution, from control to curiosity, and from individual success to collective growth, we begin to create lasting impact.

The future of our industry will be shaped by those who are willing to evolve, invest in others, and lead with intention. That’s the standard I hold myself to and the legacy I strive to build—one defined by long-term vision, growth, resilience, and the people we help elevate along the way.

Key Takeaways

• Growth often comes from the unexpected—embrace challenges as opportunities.
• Define success by long-term impact and contribution, not just titles or promotions.
• During uncertain times, focus on what you can control: always add value and remain engaged.
• Alignment matters as much as skill; people thrive when their roles match their strengths and working style.
• Be intentional about developing others—growth doesn’t happen by chance.
• Stay adaptable, open-minded, and willing to step into the unknown—it’s often where the greatest growth happens.

• Finally, surround yourself with individuals who bring diverse strengths, perspectives, and experiences—build a well-rounded leadership team.

Through it all, one truth has remained constant: our greatest strength is not just in the buildings we build, but the people we build it with.