Episode Details

Lean at the Crossroads: Culture, Community, and Congress with Elizabeth Taylor (Episode 94)

In this heartfelt and high-energy episode of Hoots on the Ground with No Bullshido, Adam Hoots sits down with Elizabeth Taylor, National Director of Lean at JE Dunn Construction and 2026 LCI Congress Co-Chair, to talk about leadership, culture, and what it really means to build community in construction.

Elizabeth shares her journey from project management to Lean coaching, including her AMAZING Lean experience on the Williston Rec Center project in North Dakota, where living onsite and stumbling through The Last Planner System® created lifelong relationships and a powerful example of what Lean culture can truly look like.

The conversation dives deep into:

• The difference between Lean tools and Lean culture

• Why relationships accelerate project performance

• How to move from "doing Lean" to being a Lean organization

• The importance of field-first thinking and supporting trade workers

• What it takes to lead at scale inside a national construction firm

Elizabeth also opens up about personal loss, vulnerability, and how the Lean community has supported her during one of the most difficult seasons of her life. This episode goes beyond business, it's about humanity, leadership courage, and creating intentional spaces where people belong. Check out Elizabeth illustrating true vulnerability, live in person as she handles the questions from Hoots.

They also preview the 2026 LCI Congress in Atlanta, themed "Lean at the Crossroads: Building the Future Together." Elizabeth shares insights into this year's four tracks:

1. Next Generation Delivery Integration

2. Field First Lean: Tools, Flow & Daily Improvement

3. Becoming a Lean Organization Through Culture & Learning

4. Whole Team, Whole Project Integration

If you've ever wondered what Congress looks like behind the curtains, whether your story is worth sharing, this episode is your sign to step up.

Abstracts are due Thursday, March 5th. Don't wait. Submit to speak here: https://congress.leanconstruction.org/abstract-submission/

This one is part Lean strategy, p