It is July and we are in the midst of a heat wave in our hometown of Greenville, SC. Temperatures have been in the upper 90s with humidity combining to create what can only be described as stifling. 

And yet, in construction, this is our busiest time. 

Summer is (typically) the driest of the four seasons, and we have the most natural light to stretch productivity out of the day. The environment can be challenging and demands endurance and stamina. 

The physicality of construction is certainly nothing new—if you close your eyes and imagine someone who works in the field they are most likely strong, sun-worn, and in high visibility gear. 

But there are certain characteristics—a common thread—that those who thrive in our industry possess. And they are more than what meets the eye. 

After decades of success building multiple projects across the Upstate, we have identified core qualities we look for when hiring team members or offering training to our existing crews: 

  1. Gifted with Clear and Consistent Communication
    Communication is an essential skill in construction. It prevents costly or life-threatening errors and is necessary for customer service interactions. Project Managers and superintendents must align around common goals where there is no question of who is responsible for what. Project Managers must keep the client informed—both good news and bad—to manage expectations and ensure the experience is overall positive.
  1. Results-Driven
    Any construction project is ultimately measured by the ability to hit designated goals—for budgets and timelines in particular. While there are elements that are out of any leader’s control (supply chain glitches and weather delays, for example), meeting the challenge of reaching milestones along the way must be a motivating factor for a successful construction professional.

  2. Easily Motivated
    While this category may seem similar to results-driven, it is actually quite different. Team members must have a nose-to-the-grindstone mentality because successful craftsmen are motivated by pride in their work, the reward of true work-life balance when the workday is done, or because they completed the task before them.

  3. Thinks Like an Owner
    When everyone on a job site has an ownership mentality, they have a vision for the bigger picture—whether it be the completed project or the goal of hitting important deadlines. Owners care about their employees’ overall health and happiness but are also looking for cost savings and small wins along the way that can help the bottom line. It is a collective perspective that yields a better overall result.

  4. Safety Obsessed
    Our line of work is dangerous. We use heavy machinery, sometimes work at high heights, and are constantly out in the elements. That means every team member must be obsessed with safety–wearing protective gear, following job site protocols, communicating well, and thinking twice before moving once.

  5. Delighted by Details
    Paying attention is crucial in construction work. The details are the only things that can prevent costly mistakes and ensure the final product meets (and ideally exceeds) the agreed-upon standards.

  6. Curious Problem-Solver
    As much as we can prepare for scenarios on the job site when we are working in an environment we cannot control, surprises happen. That is why team members must be curious problem-solvers, ready to react to the unexpected with well-formed approaches rooted in past experiences or research.

  7. Doggedly Tough
    Because the work is often physically demanding, construction professionals must have endurance. This includes mental endurance as well, to maintain focus and remain attuned to details even when the atmosphere is harsh. 

At Raby Construction, we are proud to recognize these traits in our team members. Our three core values are Safety, Excellence, and Integrity–and every single item on our list of key successful qualities exemplifies those values. 

So, even when the days are hot, we know our team has the foundation necessary to work together for a common goal they can all be proud of—and that is the Raby Standard.