The Human Foundation: How a Construction Executive Learned to Build Teams, Not Just Structures

Effective leadership is about more than just navigating teams to success. It involves building trust, clear communication, and emotional intelligence. Influential leaders set clear expectations, provide necessary coaching, and focus on finding solutions during challenging times. Furthermore, they identify and value the importance of personal well-being and embrace practices to manage stress and maintain a positive mindset, which leads to a supportive, high-performing organizational culture. 

Johnathan Peavy brings 20 years of experience building complex facilities to his role as operations manager for Robins & Morton, a national leader in healthcare construction. As executive of the Miami—Fort Lauderdale office, Peavy oversees projects at eight medical campuses in South Florida, with contracts totaling more than $1 billion. With a background in civil engineering, Peavy’s cross-discipline expertise makes him a unique asset to the construction process, and he takes pride in knowing the healthcare facilities under his purview have a lasting impact on the community. Peavy is a graduate of Auburn University and holds multiple credentials, including LEED AP and USACE CQM-C designations. He joined us today to talk about the importance of trust, accountability, and vulnerability in leadership to build teams.

HIGHLIGHTS

[00:43] Johnathan’s background and career journey. 

[06:13] The balance between maintaining a family-like atmosphere and pushing for high-performance.

[10:22] Johnathan explains how he handle the loss of his mentor and the challenges of taking over. 

[15:17] Johnathan’s approach to managing internal conflicts. 

[18:27] The shift of mindset from handling individual projects to overseeing multiple projects. 

[21:00] The importance of collaboration and communication. 

[27:02] The importance of being open and direct during difficult conversations. 

[30:08] Johnathan explains the importance of structure, balance, and self-care in managing a busy day. 

[34:34] Presenting opportunities for improvement. 

[38:32] Advice for leaders who are stepping into senior roles. 

[44:01] The importance of vulnerability and emotional management in leadership.

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Set clear expectations and define what success look like for both the individual and the company. 

2. Be open and vulnerable with your team, especially when faced with tough circumstances. 

3. Take time to meet with team members with all levels and show that you value their contributions. 

4. Shift from control to influence when handling a larger team. 

5. Start with clear communication by discussing expectations from the very beginning. 

6. Be direct and open when facing difficult conversations. 

7. Provide chances to improve employee performance before deciding to part ways. 

 

RESOURCES

Connect with Johnathan Peavy

LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/johnathan-peavy-leed-ap-66a1429 

Website – robinsmorton.com/ 

Instagram - instagra