Activating Curiosity™ | Leading Change in the Construction Industry

Construction delays are often blamed on labor, cost, or materials—but what if the real problem starts much earlier, during design?

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Robb Andrade  of Overcast Innovations  to explore how siloed design decisions create downstream friction, rework, and unnecessary change.

Instead of focusing on what happens in the field, this conversation shifts upstream—where critical decisions are often made without full visibility into how they impact the broader system. From coordination challenges above the ceiling to fragmented trade workflows, a clear pattern emerges:

We’re tr...

In this bonus episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Tom Raftery—speaker, sustainability strategist, and host of the Resilient Supply Chain and Climate Confident podcasts—to explore how global energy disruptions are reshaping construction, supply chains, and the future of resilience.

Using lessons from the 1970s energy crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and today's geopolitical uncertainty, Ryan and Tom examine what happens when critical systems become overly dependent on a single source of energy.

Rather than focusing on politics, this conversation explores how leaders can think differently about risk, resilience, electr...

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, we explore a hard truth about construction: we’re not just facing a labor shortage—we’re facing a productivity problem.

If the construction industry is “busy” every day, why are projects getting slower, more expensive, and harder to deliver? This conversation challenges the idea that we’re solving problems and reveals how often we’re just firefighting symptoms like rework, delays, and inefficiency. 

Ryan Ware sits down with Wayne Larsen, CEO of PT Blink, to unpack why time is the most undervalued variable in construction—and how hidden costs compound acro...

What happens when architects and construction leaders stop accepting the limits of traditional building materials—and start asking better questions?

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Allison Dring, CEO and Co-Founder of Made of Air, to explore how discomfort drives curiosity, innovation, and change in the built environment. Explore how biochar is becoming a key tool for sustainable building practices and climate action in the construction industry. 

With the construction industry responsible for nearly 40% of global emissions, this conversation challenges a common assumption: sustainability is about reducing harm. Instead, it intro...

What if the AEC industry’s biggest challenge isn’t a staffing shortage—but a work model problem?

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Erin Fantozz, Founder of EFDesigns, to explore how architecture and construction firms are navigating a deeper shift in leadership, change management, and the future of work.

As workforce pressure continues across the AEC industry, many firms focus on hiring more people without rethinking how work is structured. This conversation challenges that assumption—highlighting why aligning talent to projects, not payroll, may be a more effective path forward.<...

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Vikas Murali, Co-Founder and CEO of Offsight, to explore why limited visibility inside prefab factories remains one of the biggest barriers to scaling offsite construction.

As contractors and manufacturers expand into prefabrication, modular construction, and industrialized construction, many still rely on manual processes, disconnected systems, and limited production transparency. This lack of real-time visibility creates uncertainty around progress, quality, and delivery—making it difficult for project teams, contractors, and owners to fully trust the prefab process.

Vikas shares how his background in manufacturing technology spar...

Construction leadership development today requires more than toughness—it demands a human-centered approach to leading change.

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Ed DeAngelis, CEO and Founder of EDA Contractors, to explore how trust, emotional intelligence, and curiosity are reshaping leadership in the construction industry.

As the AEC industry faces workforce challenges, change resistance, and increasing complexity, Ed shares why “humanity as a strategy” is not a soft skill—it’s a competitive advantage.

Together, they unpack how construction leaders can build psychological safety, strengthen culture, and create environments...

Affordable housing isn’t just about building more homes—it’s about whether people can actually sustain a place to live.

In this bonus episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Nneoma Albert-Benson, founder of BEFA Women and Child Care Foundation, to explore how construction leadership and change in the AEC industry must go beyond supply and into the systems that determine long-term stability.

This conversation challenges a common assumption: that homelessness is the problem. Instead, Nneoma reframes it as the result of compounding pressures—rising costs, lack of support systems, and environments not design...

The housing crisis isn’t just a policy problem—it’s a production problem hiding in plain sight.

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Ryan Smith, Co-Founder of ModX, to explore how construction leadership and change management in the AEC industry must evolve to address housing affordability at scale.

This conversation challenges a common assumption: that better policy alone will solve the housing crisis. Instead, Ryan Smith breaks down why housing affordability is fundamentally a supply issue—and how industrialized construction offers a path forward by rethinking how we design, manufactur...

Climate policy shifts happen fast—but construction leadership in change management is what separates winning AEC firms from reactive ones. In this bonus episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan and Laura Steinbrink (CEO, Emerald Built Environments) dive into the mindset shifts and industry transformation needed when policy changes overnight. Discover the strategic framework for navigating regulatory uncertainty and building organizational resilience.

This conversation challenges a common assumption: that policy drives action. Instead, Laura reframes the moment, showing the recent EPA decision was legal, not scientific, and that progress is still driven by markets, communities, and leadership.

Toge...

Mass timber isn’t just a material shift—it’s a mindset shift critical for construction leadership development.

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Kristen Slavin, founder of Conifer Advising, to explore how construction leadership and change management in the AEC industry must evolve to explore how construction leadership, change management, and modular construction in the AEC industry must evolve to successfully adopt innovative building systems like mass timber.

This conversation challenges a common assumption: that innovation in construction and sustainable building is only about materials. Instead, Kristen highlights that the real...

Mini Series Part 6:

Change fatigue is real in construction—but it’s not caused by change itself. It’s caused by our relationship with it.

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware explores how construction leadership and change management in the AEC industry can shift from resistance to resilience by building a stronger relationship with change. Discover proven change leadership tips and strategies for building resilient teams that thrive in evolving construction environments. 

This conversation challenges a common assumption: that change is something to manage. Instead, Ryan reframes it as an experience—one that re...

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™ | Leading Change in the Construction Industry, Ryan Ware sits down with Kristin Kautz of JAM Idea Agency to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the AEC industry—and why most firms are approaching it the wrong way.

This conversation challenges a common assumption: that AI is a tool to implement. Instead, Kristin reframes it as something closer to “air”—an embedded capability that enhances how teams already work, rather than something separate to adopt. 

Together, they unpack why change management in construction often fails when it comes to technology, and how sto...

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Ali Salman of Workspace Modular Structures to explore how prefab and modular construction can help solve some of the construction industry’s biggest challenges.

This conversation challenges a common assumption: that the industry’s current methods are sufficient. Instead, Ali reframes the opportunity—highlighting how modular construction offers a scalable path to address infrastructure, housing, and labor shortages. 

Together, they explore why resistance to change continues to slow progress in the AEC industry and how leadership, curiosity, and mindset shifts are essential to moving forward.<...

Mini Series Part 5:

Curiosity isn’t a soft skill—it’s a leadership advantage in construction.

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware explores how curiosity drives effective change leadership in the AEC industry and why it’s essential for navigating uncertainty, overcoming resistance, and building stronger teams.

This conversation reframes a common challenge: leaders often focus on managing change, but overlook how people experience it. Instead, Ryan highlights curiosity as the bridge—connecting psychological safety, trust, and better decision-making. 

Through the lens of the Five C’s of Change, this episode fo...

Friction slows down decision-making in construction—but removing it doesn’t mean replacing expertise.

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Scott Reynolds, Co-Founder and CEO of UpCodes, to explore how construction leaders can reduce friction in decision-making while maintaining control, judgment, and expertise.

This conversation reframes a critical challenge in the AEC industry: too much time is spent searching, verifying, and stitching together fragmented information. Instead, Scott introduces the concept of decision infrastructure—systems that organize building codes, products, and data so leaders can focus on making better choices, not just fin...

Access to healthcare isn’t just a policy issue—it’s a delivery problem.

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Peter Nicholson, Co-Founder and CEO of Modern Clinical Planning, to explore how micro hospitals are reshaping healthcare access in rural and underserved communities.

This conversation reframes a critical challenge: healthcare systems often struggle to justify investment in low-density regions, leaving communities without reliable access. Instead, Peter introduces a new model—treating hospitals as scalable, standardized products that can be delivered faster, more affordably, and with greater consistency. 

From modular con...

Mini Series Part 4:

Leadership in change management often fails not because teams lack initial alignment, but because commitment fades when motivation does. In this mini-series installment of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware explores how construction and AEC leaders can shift from motivational fixes to building sustainable commitment—the daily disciplines, rituals, and accountability structures that keep teams executing change long after the launch energy wears off. Learn mindful change management techniques and collaborative leadership approaches that keep AEC teams engaged and committed to lasting change.

This conversation reframes a common challenge: leaders often assume commitment comes from...

The future of construction isn’t just about technology—it’s about how leaders respond to change.

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Brian Turmail, Vice President of Public Affairs and Strategic Initiatives at the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), to explore what construction leadership and change management in the AEC industry will require moving into 2026 and beyond.

This conversation reframes a common challenge: many change initiatives fail not because of strategy, but because of how they’re led. Instead, Brian highlights the growing importance of empathy, communication, and human-cent...

Mini Series Part 3:

Clarity doesn’t come before change—it’s built through it.

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware explores how construction leadership and change management in the AEC industry often stall because leaders wait for clarity that never arrives.

This conversation reframes a common belief: that teams need full clarity before taking action. Instead, Ryan highlights that clarity is personal, evolving, and developed through movement—not planning alone. 

Through the Five C’s of Change—Choice, Control, Clarity, Commitment, and Curiosity—this episode focuses on how clarity connects to trust...

Leadership in construction isn’t just about getting work done—it’s about how you bring people with you.

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Andrea Janzen, Founder of Ambition Theory, to explore how transformational leadership is reshaping construction leadership and change management in the AEC industry.

This conversation challenges a long-standing norm: construction has traditionally relied on transactional leadership—focused on control, output, and experience. Instead, Andrea introduces a transformational approach centered on guiding, inspiring, and unlocking the potential within teams. 

Together, they explore how this shift can address...

Efficiency in construction isn’t just about speed—it’s about how teams work together.

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Brian Skripac of the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) to explore how construction leadership and change management in the AEC industry are evolving through collaboration, technology, and design-build delivery.

This conversation breaks down a critical shift: moving from fragmented workflows to integrated teams. From early BIM adoption to today’s push toward model-based delivery and industrialized construction, Brian shares how reducing friction and improving communication can unlock better project outcomes. ...

Mini Series Part 2:

Control feels like safety—but in change, it’s often an illusion.

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware explores how construction leadership and change management in the AEC industry are shaped by our relationship with control—and why holding onto it can limit our ability to lead effectively.

This conversation reframes a common belief: that more control leads to better outcomes. Instead, Ryan highlights that control often masks fear—especially when change is imposed—and that true influence comes from how leaders choose to show up. 

Through the F...

Construction doesn’t have a people problem—it has a connection problem.

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Angelo Suntres, founder of The Human Side of Construction, to explore how construction leadership and change management in the AEC industry must evolve to better support the people behind the work.

This conversation challenges a long-standing norm: that toughness and technical skill define success in construction. Instead, Angelo highlights how empathy, communication, and human-centered leadership drive better outcomes, stronger teams, and long-term industry growth. 

Together, they explore how generational shifts, mental...

Change doesn’t start with strategy—it starts with choice.

In this Mini Series Part 1 of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware breaks down the first step in building a stronger relationship with change: understanding how we make decisions and how those decisions impact others.

In the construction and AEC industry, change often feels imposed—new technology, shifting delivery models, or evolving business strategies. But before we can lead change effectively, we need to understand how we personally relate to choice, and how that shapes our response to change. 

This episode introduces the concept of choice ar...

How are construction leaders managing decentralized teams in an industry built for command-and-control? In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware explores decentralized work models and how AI is reshaping staffing in AEC with Mandy McGill, founder of Aedifico. From construction leadership culture to labor productivity, discover why decentralization isn't just a trend—it's the future of how AEC firms organize work. Plus: the leadership mindsets that make it work.

Traditional staffing, procurement, and leadership models were built for a different era. But as the pace of change accelerates, construction leaders are being challenged to rethink how team...

Big change doesn’t start with systems—it starts with people willing to think differently.

In this bonus episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware explores how real change in the construction industry happens over time—and why it requires both individual ownership and collective action.

Using the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) as examples, Ryan breaks down how ideas that once felt “too big” evolved into industry-wide movements. What began as conversations in the early 1990s has since transformed how we approach sustainability, collaboration, and project delivery. 

This epi...

You can build great projects—and still run an unhealthy business. In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Jessica Krause, Founder and CEO of New Lyfe Accounting, to explore why financial clarity is one of the most overlooked drivers of construction leadership and decision making. In the AEC industry, many construction leaders treat financials as a "back office" problem. But when you lack visibility into your business's true health, you can't make strategic decisions that drive long-term growth or navigate change effectively. Learn why financial literacy is a cornerstone of strong construction leadership culture.

Je...

Curiosity isn’t a soft skill—it’s a leadership advantage in times of change.

In this bonus episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware explores how construction leaders in the AEC industry can use curiosity to navigate uncertainty, reduce resistance, and lead change more effectively.

In an industry shaped by constant disruption—new technologies, shifting delivery models, and evolving workforce expectations—leaders are often trained to seek control. But this episode challenges that instinct, highlighting how curiosity creates clarity, builds confidence, and opens the door to better decision-making. 

Ryan unpacks why resistance to change is oft...

Change isn’t slowing down in construction—but how we lead through it needs to.

In this short trailer for Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware introduces a new kind of conversation for construction and AEC leaders—one focused not just on solutions, but on how we think about and respond to change.

This podcast is built around a simple but powerful question:

What is the most important problem you’re trying to solve—and why?

Through real conversations with construction leaders, innovators, and change agents, Activating Curiosity explores how leadership, mindset, and human behavi...