S11, EP 309 - Drop the Pronouns. Add the Units

In this episode of the Build America podcast, host Scott Jennings discusses the critical role that clear communication plays in your professional and personal life. Drawing from his extensive experience in heavy civil construction, Scott breaks down how vague communication habits lead to errors, confusion, and social awkwardness in the workplace. Learn why being precise with your words is an easy, cost free way to demonstrate your expertise and get the job done right the first time. The Problem with Pronouns: Using "he," "him," or "it" without a clearly defined subject forces people to guess your meaning. Specificity prevents mistakes. Mastering Units of Measure: In construction and engineering, mixing up or leaving out units causes major issues. Scott highlights the danger of incomplete units like PSI versus weight, and why you must define calendar days versus work days in scheduling. The Cost of Omission: Omitting units entirely forces teams to guess critical metrics like RPM versus GPM. This shorthand can alienate team members and stop them from asking for clarification. Mentor the Next Generation: Experienced professionals should teach newcomers correct industry standards, like ordering concrete in cubic yards. Website: https://sjcivil.com/ Blog: https://sjcivil.com/blog/ Podcast Links: https://anchor.fm/sjccsitesurvey LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/scott-jennings-p-e-1435103 Email: [email protected] Also featuring the Ted Determite Children’s Book Series, available on Amazon. If you found this episode helpful, please rate and review the show. Your support helps more professionals in the construction and engineering industries discover these insights. Do not forget to subscribe to stay connected for future updates and resources. Work safe! #BuildAmerica #ConstructionLife #ClearCommunication #ProjectManagement #CivilEngineering #Leadership #Mentorship #WorkSafe