Humble, Hungry, Smart: A Look Inside Our Knowledge-Driven Approach to Commercial Construction

concrete beam hanging from a crane on commercial construction site

In the complex world of commercial construction, expertise is essential. But wisdom requires collective experience and continual growth, not just technical know-how. That’s why we’ve built our company on the value of knowledge. On every project, we recognize the importance of continually learning and working proactively to find solutions.

While we’ve always embraced knowledge as a pillar of our foundation, the way we’ve best come to describe our approach comes from the bestselling leadership book The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni. The book’s central thesis is that the key to success is being humble, hungry, and smart. These three virtues resonate deeply with our ethos. ​​If even one is missing, teamwork becomes significantly more difficult and sometimes impossible.

A Look Inside Our Knowledge-Driven Approach to Commercial Construction

Here’s how we’ve embraced The Ideal Team Player model as it applies to commercial construction

Humble: Leading and Listening with Humility 

Humility forms the bedrock of our culture. We understand that no single individual embodies all the industry’s wisdom. Instead, we celebrate the collective knowledge within our team, recognizing that learning thrives when egos are checked at the door. Senior leaders lead by example, dedicating time to mentor others. An unwavering respect for everyone’s knowledge fosters open communication, encourages diverse perspectives, and ultimately leads to more thoughtful and efficient projects.

Hungry: A Drive for Excellence and Growth 

Hunger fuels our drive to learn and grow constantly. We embrace new challenges and opportunities with eager minds and open arms. This starts by empowering our team to hone their skills and stay ahead of the curve through training and development opportunities. But the desire to learn also extends beyond our team. We listen intently to stakeholders, subcontractors, and trade partners because every voice holds a nugget of crucial insight. Our curiosity and passion propel us forward, ensuring we remain at the forefront of innovation and excellence.

Smart: Navigating Projects with Interpersonal Intelligence

In Lencioni’s words, “smartness” isn’t just about technical prowess. It also encompasses emotional intelligence. At Crain, we cultivate empathetic listeners, effective communicators, and insightful collaborators. Our team members ask the right questions, actively listen to others, and navigate even the most complex situations with poise and respect. This “smart” approach builds trust, fosters strong relationships with our clients and partners, and ensures seamless project execution.

​​Empower Your Vision: Partner with Crain Construction

Our commitment to knowledge has shaped our approach, steering us toward consistent growth. If you’re interested in partnering with a team that values knowledge as much as Crain does, we’d love to discuss your next project. And for those seeking a culture that fosters growth and excellence, we encourage you to explore opportunities to work at Crain Construction.

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