Don’t Panic in Construction: The Power of Setting Expectations

Running a construction business can feel like trying to juggle flaming torches while riding a unicycle. There are days when everything is on fire—projects behind schedule, materials delayed, clients asking a million questions, subcontractors missing deadlines. It’s chaos. In the restaurant world, we called it being "in the weeds." In construction, it feels the same.

But here’s the thing I’ve learned from both worlds: being in the weeds isn’t the problem. The problem is how you react when you’re there.

When I was waiting tables, the biggest mistake people made when they got overwhelmed was ignoring their tables. They’d think, “I’m too busy to deal with this right now,” and avoid the customers altogether. But that just made things worse. The customer would get frustrated, and by the time you finally showed up, you were already in damage control mode.

Sound familiar? In construction, we do the same thing. We avoid the tough client call because we don’t want to admit there’s a delay. We ignore the email asking for updates because we’re too busy to respond. But here’s the truth: ignoring the problem never fixes it.

The solution? Set clear expectations.

When you’re overwhelmed, don’t go silent. Just communicate. Send the email. Make the call. It’s as simple as saying, “Hey, I’ve received your message. Things are hectic right now, but I’ll get back to you with an update by Friday.” That one sentence does more than you realize. It shows your client that you’re on top of things, even when you’re busy. It builds trust.

And here’s the kicker—it actually gives you more breathing room. Instead of stressing about the unanswered email sitting in your inbox, you’ve already addressed it. You’ve set the expectation. Now you can focus on getting the work done.

The same rule applies to your team. If you’re slammed, tell them: “Hey, I’m in the weeds right now. Here’s what I need from you.” People aren’t mind readers. But when you communicate, they know how to support you.

So, what’s the LLC—Lesson Learned Conversation—today? It’s this: Don’t panic in the weeds. Communicate. Set expectations. Whether you’re managing a restaurant floor or running a million-dollar construction project, the key to staying in control is simple—be honest, be clear, and don’t be afraid to admit when you’re overwhelmed.

Trust me, your clients, your team, and your sanity will thank you.