James Gable on Developing Soft Skills: The Power of Communication and Optimism in Leadership

As professionals in construction, we often focus too much on hard skills, or the specific knowledge and capabilities we need to complete the job. Too often, we forget about soft skills, like communication, adaptability, and teamwork. Both are needed to be successful in your career, so let’s dive into the power of developing soft skills in construction.  In this episode, we have James Gable, Host of The Uncommon Communicator Podcast. For most of his life, James was an industrial contractor. In fact, most of his family is in construction, so it’s practically in his blood. James is currently a general superintendent for Adolfson & Peterson Construction in Colorado. He’s an optimistic family man who loves to cook and through his podcast, his mission is to help the next generation gain the skills needed to navigate and facilitate any conversation to mutual understanding. He’s truly bringing clarity to the lost art of communication.Listen in to learn the mindset required to be successful in a skilled trade, why soft skills are crucial for anyone in construction, and how to get the most out of your career while being the best leader you can be. What You’ll Learn in this Episode:·       The importance of communicating on a shared idea.·       James shares the mission of his career and his podcast.·       His journey in skilled trade: How he went from apprentice to general superintendent.·       What it’s like to be a general superintendent of a construction company.·       The impact of nurturing leadership that supports innovation and experimentation.·       Key leadership qualities of construction workers and skilled tradespeople.·       How to teach your kids the value of skilled trades and tradespeople.·       Why the foreman is the toughest role on any jobsite.·       Major learnings and missteps James has had throughout his career.·       James shares his candid thoughts on one of the biggest burdens of being a leader.·       Why soft skills, like communication, are important for team members in construction.·       James answers: What footprint do you intend to leave on the world? Resources Mentioned:Listen to The Uncommon Communicator Podcast: https://theuncommoncommunicator.buzzsprout.com Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss: https://amzn.to/3oEnNbf  Connect with James Gable:Follow him on Instagram: www.instagram.com/james.gable.984