In this no-bullshido episode of Hoots on the Ground, host Adam Hoots reconnects with Jesse “Chuy” Hernandez—the plumber’s son turned foreman, GC leader, consultant, author, and unapologetic “selfish servant.”

Jesse shares his journey from apprentice to industry thought leader, tying sobriety, service, and Lean thinking together. He breaks down his three leadership lessons—zoom level, time horizon, and lingo—and shows how those same gaps cause project failures. Adam and Jesse also tackle problem-solving, the power of listening with eyes and ears, the myth of the “indispensable superintendent,” and why sometimes the fastest fix is deciding something isn’t a problem.

They preview the upcoming LCI Congress, scheduled for October 20-24, 2025, in Arlington, Texas, including Jesse’s “Sweat Equity Improvement” workshop, and close with his next mission: training for a full Ironman to prove ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

Key takeaways include:

·        Leadership maturity evolves through zoom level, time horizon, and lingo — meet people where they are, not where you want them to be.

·        The fastest way to solve a problem? Decide it’s not a problem — and focus on the ones that truly matter.

·        Lean isn’t about efficiency—it’s about building people’s problem-solving capabilities through improving work.

·        Listening with your eyes and ears is the highest-leverage technology in construction; forget the dashboards, pay attention to people.

RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

·        The Lean Builder | https://theleanbuilder.com/ | Blog, book, resources, and a hub for the lean construction community.

·        LCI – Lean Construction Institute | https://leanconstruction.org/ | Training, events, and thought leadership in Lean Construction.

·        LCI Congress 2025 | https://congress.leanconstruction.org/ | Annual gathering of lean-minded builders and leaders in Arlington, TX.

·        “Becoming the Promise You Are Intended to Be” by Jesse Hernandez | https://www.depthbuilder.com/books | Inspiring lessons on leadership, service, and growth.

·        “Lean in Love” by Jesse Hernandez and Jennifer Lacy | https://www.depthbuilder.com/books | Exploring Lean principles through the lens of human connection.

·        “Learnings and Missteps” Podcast, Hosted by Jesse Hernandez | https://www.learningsandmissteps.com/ | Featuring stories from the trades and beyond.

·        “Brace Me: The Lean Framework for Love and Leadership” by Sam Sinclair | https://www.amazon.com/BRACE-ME-Lean-Framework-Leadership/dp/B0FJJPJ34F | A superintendent’s perspective on building, resilience, and leadership.

GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

·        Adam Hoots | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhoots/ | Podcast host for Hoots on the Ground and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions.

·        Jesse “Chewy” Hernandez | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessedepthbuilder/ | Author, Speaker, Consultant, and Advocate for Human-Centered Leadership and Lean Construction.

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 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.