Chairman's Message: December Reflections

Words: Paul Odom

Paul Odom, MCAA Chairman

We sat down to write this after having a great weekend with our children and grandchildren. We had all of them in one house, which is both chaotic and wonderful, all at the same time. As grandparents, we have the opportunity to look at family life from the outside looking in, to a certain extent. You get to enjoy your children raising their families, without the responsibility of doing it yourselves.   After all, we have already had our chance for successes and some failures. However, what worked and did not work when we raised our children can (almost) all be thrown out the window. We are in a completely different world, with different challenges and different opportunities.  By now, you are probably wondering why I am discussing my family life, and how that is relevant to masonry. It has to do with running a business and managing a team. As an industry, we have been slow to change.  In many ways, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” has been a lot of our mottos, mine included.   In some cases, it “is broken,” and we have ignored fixing it- denying that there is a problem, or just flat out being too busy to do anything to make a change (a.k.a. working IN the business and not ON the business). I say this from a place of reflection, as I am now stepping back and starting to let others run things...which is always easier said than done.  As I watch my children raise their own families I am looking from the outside in, and as I do that, I try to put myself in their shoes. The same goes for me with work. I try to put myself in the shoes of the team I work with.   In a lot of cases, they are quite different than the team was 20 years ago. I want to emphasize “different,” because different does not mean bad. Here are a few examples: 
  • They want to spend more time with their families. Treat your team as if they are part of your family, and understand their needs. When you really need them to put in some overtime to make a project happen, they will be more likely to welcome this opportunity. 
 
  • They like technology. Technology can come with a lot of benefits- electronic versions of timesheets, daily reports, plans, marketing opportunities, communication, etc. Allowing them to teach your “more experienced” folks who may be resisting these things can be a great team building opportunity. 
 
  • They want feedback- both good and bad. Tell your team what they are doing well, and what they need to improve on- and not just in their yearly review. You will find that this will work wonders to improve morale. 
 
  • They think outside the box. They are going to try to find ways to work smarter, not harder. Listen to them. Just because they do not have as much experience, does not mean they might not be sitting on the next best way to do things better and improve the success of your team. 
It sounds like I am talking about millennials, right? Well, it is not just the millennials I am talking about. We are ALL changing in the way we work and the way we react to each other. Embrace it. Fighting it is going to be a battle you will not win.  From an “experienced” mason contractor, I am watching other contractors all over the nation start adapting very well to these changes. If you are a contractor that is being slower to change and really struggling with it, continue to follow what MCAA is doing. There are a ton of tools, trainings, free resources, and networking opportunities out there that can help your team evolve.   In the meantime, Thanksgiving is almost upon us, as is the season of giving. Be sure to show those who you work with; family, friends, and customers how much you appreciate them. I know I am thankful for mine!  Happy Holidays to you and yours from Susie and me!  Paul Odom 
About: Chairman’s Message
Expert Tips for Brick Installation
March 2026

Clay brick has long been valued for both its durability and aesthetic appeal, but achieving a clean, consistent build that will endure for a lifetime depends just as much on jobsite discipline, install strategy, and preventative moisture management as it

Allison Goley
Technical Talks
Read More
OSHA’s 2025 Top Violations: What the Numbers Reveal for Masonry and Construction
March 2026

Each year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) publishes its list of the most frequently cited workplace safety standards based on federal inspection data. The purpose is simple: show employers where hazards are consistently being fou

Greg Brown
MAP Partner
Read More
Combining Modern Healthcare with Tribal Design: Nisqually Health & Wellness Center
March 2026

The Nisqually Health & Wellness Center is a project that the wonderful team here at Warfield Masonry completed in 2020. Built on the Nisqually Reservation (near Olympia, Washington), this project incorporates a variety of masonry materials into its tribal

Jake Sulya
Case Study
Read More
The Power of the STABILA Laser Technology
March 2026

In modern construction, accuracy is no longer a luxury; it is an expectation. From interior layouts to large-scale site preparation, professionals rely on tools that deliver fast, reliable, and accurate results. Among the most influential innovations of r

MAP Partner
Read More