Success Story:

Francisco Gaytan’s journey in the construction industry began at an early age, inspired by his father, a dedicated tradesman. “I remember my father always wearing a clean, crisp shirt and telling me, ‘We have to present ourselves in the best light, even if we’re just picking up trash.’” That lesson in professionalism stuck with him.

Starting on the sheet metal clean-up crew, Francisco watched the fabricators with fascination, drawn to the precision and artistry of their craft. As he gathered scrap metal each day, he began experimenting—bending and shaping the pieces, teaching himself the fundamentals. One day, he shared his work with Sergio, a 20-year veteran and Sheet Metal Superintendent.

Impressed by Francisco’s natural skill and determination, Sergio took him under his wing, mentoring him in a craft that demands both patience and precision. Through relentless hard work and dedication, Francisco honed his expertise, steadily advancing in his career. His commitment to mastering his craft ultimately earned him a promotion to Foreman—his long-held goal.

As a self-taught craftsman, Francisco embraced every challenge, developing a deep appreciation for the core values of true leadership—safety, meticulous planning, and outstanding customer service. His relentless curiosity and boundless energy set him apart, driving him to master every aspect of the industry.

Francisco’s natural leadership abilities quickly became evident. He was not only a skilled worker but also someone others looked up to for guidance and direction. Recognized as a leader among the crew, he took initiative, motivated his team, and ensured projects were completed efficiently and to the highest standards. His strong work ethic and ability to inspire those around him laid the foundation for a successful career in the construction industry.

The Challenge:

Transitioning into a management role has been both an exciting opportunity and a personal challenge for Francisco. Moving from hands-on work in the field to overseeing operations required a shift in mindset. No longer just responsible for his own performance and that of his crew, he now had to think strategically—balancing budgets, coordinating multiple teams, and ensuring company objectives were met. The leadership skills that had made him a standout on the job site needed to evolve.

He had to navigate difficult decisions, communicate effectively across all levels of the company, and mentor others while maintaining the high standards that had defined his own career.

The Solution:

Through a customized DiSC training program, I worked closely with Francisco to help him gain deeper insights into his personal communication style and how those styles influence workplace interactions. By identifying his dominant communication traits - Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, or Conscientiousness— Francisco developed a stronger self-awareness of his natural tendencies, strengths, and potential blind spots.

As a highly driven Dominance-style communicator, Francisco was naturally focused on results and efficiency. In his previous role, he often took the initiative to complete various aspects of project prep before his team even arrived, believing this approach would keep things moving forward. However, upon stepping into management, he faced a critical realization—his role was no longer just about getting the job done but about empowering his team through delegation and structured leadership.

Francisco’s motivation was clear: to drive projects toward completion as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, in doing so, he unintentionally bypassed valuable opportunities for his team to develop essential skills, such as understanding the full scope of prep work, inventory management, and strategic planning. Recognizing this challenge, we worked together to redefine his leadership approach, shifting from a hands-on executor to an effective delegator and mentor.

To strengthen both team communication and executive visibility, we established structured guidelines for project updates. Francisco implemented pre-shift status meetings and end-of-day updates, ensuring his crews were aligned on expectations, challenges, and next steps. Additionally, he adopted a more proactive approach to executive communication, using strategic email updates to provide clear, high-level project progress reports. This shift not only demonstrated a higher level of leadership but also built trust, transparency, and stronger collaboration between field operations and upper management.

Through this transformation, Francisco has developed a more balanced leadership style - leveraging his results-driven nature while fostering a workplace culture where his team could grow, take ownership, and contribute to long-term success.

The Outcome:

Francisco’s evolution as a leader is ongoing. His ability to adapt, delegate, and communicate effectively has strengthened his team’s performance and positioned him as a key contributor within his organization. While he has made significant strides, he continues to refine his leadership approach—seeking new ways to motivate, develop, and inspire those around him.

Leadership isn’t a destination; it’s a continuous journey of growth, learning, and impact. For Francisco, the road ahead is filled with even greater opportunities to elevate his team, shape company success, and define his legacy in the industry.