In this no-bullshido episode, Adam Hoots chops it up with Mississippi’s own Boone White, a farm-raised boy, Christ‑follower, husband, dad of three, and unapologetic agitator for change. He is a General Superintendent with ICM Construction in Oxford, Mississippi. Boone traces his path from the old “yell‑and‑cuss” era to a worker-first approach powered by Last Planner, Takt, and disciplined make-ready planning. From Houston to Mississippi, he breaks down how humility and curiosity, not just grit, unlock flow, safety, and calmer, more predictable jobs.
The duo tackles integrating CPM/Takt/Last Planner, empowering trades to innovate, training the next wave of supers, and focusing on the real constraint: human-centered leadership.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Grit isn’t a strategy; when paired with humility and curiosity, we can design a better workflow.
- CPM, Takt, and Last Planner can (and should) work together to plan for flow.
- The top constraint is leadership capacity: developing people, not just schedules.
- Celebrate field-driven improvements—innovation snowballs when it’s recognized.
- Safer, cleaner, clearer sites = respect for people and better project outcomes.
KEY QUOTES:
- “Grit gets you started; humility and curiosity get you flow.”
- “When trades own the plan, safety and predictability show up.”
- “CPM, Takt, and Last Planner aren’t rivals—they’re instruments in the same orchestra.”
- “Clean, calm, and clear is what respect for people looks like in the field.”
RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED:
- The Lean Builder | theleanbuilder.com | Blog, book, resources, and a hub for the lean construction community.
- LCI – Lean Construction Institute | leanconstruction.org | Training, events, and thought leadership.
- Outbuild | outbuild.com | Scheduling platform aligning Last Planner, CPM, and Takt.
- “The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement” & “It’s Not Luck: Marketing, Production, and The Theory of Constraints” — Eliyahu Goldratt | Theory of Constraints fundamentals.
- “Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss without Losing Your Humanity” — Kim Scott | Care personally, challenge directly.
- “Bottleneck Rules: How to Get More Done (When Working Harder Isn’t Working” — Clarke Ching | Practical focus on constraints.
GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Adam Hoots | LinkedIn | Podcast host for Hoots on the Ground and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions.
- Boone White | LinkedIn | General Superintendent with ICM Construction and an advocate for Lean Construction and worker-first leadership.
ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:
The Lean Builder’s absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that matter most to those in the field. With stories from the trenches, lessons learned, and plenty of laughter, this podcast is for the men and women doing the hands-on work of construction.
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Adam Hoots, Construction ACHE Solutions
Adam Hoots began his career in the construction industry as a plumber's helper and then as a red-line architect’s helper while attending the University of South Florida. Over the past 20 years, he has steadily advanced his career and has held a variety of roles within the industry. Adam has successfully completed more than $1.5 billion in pre-construction and construction services for a diverse group of industries, including: healthcare, higher education, industrial, life science, retail, and hospitality. Most projects (~$1B) were in life sciences and high-tech laboratory construction for clients. A highly technical builder, Adam excels in efficiency, action, visual communication, and continuous improvement using Lean principles. He serves on several community boards, including Skilled Trades Alliance (www.skilledtradesalliance.net), kidSney (www.kidSney.org), National Kidney Foundation (www.nkf.org), RECAB (Regional Education Center for Advisory Board - Greenville, SC) and SC Career Kids (www.sccareerkids.com). Adam Hoots is proud to continue his service to the construction industry through his coaching business Construction ACHE Solutions.
