The skill most improved from working in Construction is teamwork. Think about it, you work with people from all around for maybe a day or two, or maybe a month, with little to no introduction. Then for that period of time you work under the hot sun doing manual labor under a strict timeline in life-threatening situations, relying hand-in-hand with the workmanship and timeline of others. Oh yeah, and the thing you're working on is worth millions of dollars. No pressure.
And though it's so stressful, everyone is really great. They are cooperative, friendly, and don't hold grudges. Stuff happens. Be mad about it for like a day, then come back tomorrow ready to go.
Some of you are waiting for the punch line. But no punch line, no psych, I'm serious. People are really cool. If you've had bad team experiences, reflect on how you interacted in the dynamic. People, for the most part, are great and want the goal as badly as you do. People are cool.
So cool in fact, that it's sad to say goodbye. Parting is as quick as introductions. It's really special when someone takes the time to say goodbye in the field. But then, that's that awkward moment when you want to make sure you say goodbye, but you might see the person again, so you wait. And wait. Then you waited too long and they are gone forever.
There were three goodbyes that were memorable from this project. (oh yeah, the project ended today... I told you this blog was late in the game.)
So I'm standing there at the end of the day with my density gauge, tired after three days of nuclear density testing and being almost hospitalized three days before, and the foreman comes up to me and says, "Well, it's been a nice rodeo... Thanks kiddo, you're pretty cool."
I had no idea what he was saying. Just earlier in the day he was taking about visiting places in da UP and checking out the Notre Dame Basilica, and now he was taking about rodeos, and I was like, "Yeah, today was fun... See ya Monday. Have a nice weekend."
And the foreman kinda looked sad, and said, "No, I have another project. This guys taking over."
And then I was so tired and confused and sad that I just stood there. Sounds dumb I know, but I just didn't know what to say. We stood in silence for a while, the he talked to the operator-turned-foreman, and then got in his truck and left for forever.
I wanted to tell him how much I enjoyed working with him, that I'd love to check out the places he recommended, to tell him to say hi to his daughter, to ask him for advice about construction or words of wisdom. But nope. I just stood there. And now he's gone.
The second goodbye was a little more resolved. Ever since the first one, I planned it out: what I'd say, what I'd ask. I wasn't just going to stand dumbfounded. But then it happened. The project had a week left and the foreman, the first person I ever met on my first job site, came up to my truck while I was calculating a pay item. "Well, I'm heading out. Nice working with you." And he extended his hand. Again, I was like, "Okay, see you tomorrow," and didn't see the hand extended. He explained he had a job in Flint and that one guy is taking over (same guy taking over as before). And this was my moment! My moment to do my planned goodbye. But nope. We talked about pay items and then silence. I didn’t say anything sentimental or anything to show how much I enjoyed working with such a kind, agreeable person. He had told me tons about his family. I knew how his wife and him met (I'll tell you that story later, it's cute) and about his Catholic faith and about brother's farm and everything. He knew about my brother and about my friend in New York and my family and my fishing experience and tons about my Catholic faith (if some of you could believe that...). And then when we parted, nothing. Nothing but a handshake and a nod goodbye with a few minutes of silence.
Today I had to call him. Call the foreman back. I had a second chance. But knowing me, again I only talked about the pay item, and then bam. I just said goodbye and ended the phone call. He was actually trying to prolong the conversation, but I was like a robot. No fluff or what I wanted to say. Just business. Gaaaaah. I hope he can just read my mind.
Today was the third goodbye. Sure, I saw over 30 laborers in and out the last two months between all the subcontractors and what not, but I almost never said goodbye. They themselves didn't even know when they would be leaving for a day, or for good. But today, I said goodbye to a laborer because we knew it was the end. It was great. No pressure. Joyful, walking away with laughter talking about the project. I didn't know him very personally, but he was the second person I met on the site, so I'd seen his face everyday. I wish every goodbye could be like that, but you know, some people just hit you harder than others.
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