From General Contractor to Design Champion: The Shift That Changes Everything
- Gil Rosa
- Jul 3
- 4 min read
How Leadership Evolves When You Stop Blaming the Drawings and Start Building the Relationship
In a recent GRPM post, we explored why architects need to show up in the field, not just on paper. And they do. Because even the most brilliant design can fall apart if it's left unprotected in the mud, amidst mix-ups and Monday morning madness. But let's flip the script, because it's not just on them.
If you're a GC, you've probably said it before:
"These drawings are garbage."
"The architect's never on site."
"They don't understand how things get built."
And hey, sometimes you're right.
But here's the hard truth:
Many jobsite messes aren't just about bad drawings.
They're about bad assumptions.
What GCs Are Getting Wrong (Even the Good Ones)
Let's talk about it.
Here are five common ways even solid GCs can sabotage the build without realizing it:
1. Building First, Asking Later
You hit a weird condition in the field, and instead of calling it out, you "just make it work."
Except… now the architect is furious, the owner's confused, and you've poured a slab that needs to be chipped out.
2. Making Design Decisions Without Design Input
The detail doesn't make sense, so you sub in a "field fix."
That's how intentional architecture turns into patchwork. That's how lawsuits start.
3. Turning Architects into Enemies, Not Allies
Your team rolls their eyes when the architect shows up. You treat every note like an attack.
Guess what? You've just guaranteed a defensive, combative relationship.
4. Treating RFIs Like Weapons, Not Tools
An RFI isn't a passive-aggressive gotcha. It's a tool for clarity.
But too many get written to prove a point, not to solve a problem.
5. Thinking You're the Only One Under Pressure
You've got the subs, the schedule, and the budget.
But the architect has the owner, the vision, and the liability.
Respect goes both ways.
So What's the Shift?
You go from:
"Why don't they get it?"
To:
"Let me help them see what we see."
You move from General Contractor
to Design Champion.
What It Means to Be a Design Champion
Not a complainer.
Not a babysitter.
Not the person muttering "typical architect" under your breath.
A Design Champion is something else entirely:
A translator between intent and field reality
A builder who raises concerns without raising hell
A leader who builds trust with the design team, not walls
A steward of the design, not just a survivor of it
It's the difference between "That's not our problem" and "Here's how we can solve this together.”
This Shift Changes Everything
When you become a Design Champion, everything sharpens:
Tension drops because your tone does
RFIs reduce because you learn to clarify, not just question
Architects stop hiding and start showing up
You gain influence, not by forcing change, but by earning respect
And ironically?
You finish faster and with fewer headaches, not because the drawings got better, but because the relationship did.
How to Step Into the Role
Here are five simple shifts that elevate your game:
1. Lead the "Design Translation" Meeting
Before the first shovel hits dirt, hold a meeting with your field leads and the architect. Walk through the drawings. Flag the fuzzy. Ask the dumb questions before they cost money.
2. Ask for the Why, Not Just the What
If something looks off, don't just ask "Can we VE this?" Ask, "What does this detail protect?" That earns trust and gets you better answers.
3. Send Photos, Not Just Problems
Next time something's off in the field, don't just fire off a complaint. Send annotated photos with proposed solutions. Clarity beats escalation.
4. Invite the Architect to Walk the Job
But not just when things are on fire. Bring them in during the layout or rough-in phase. Let them see the craft. Let your team know that you respect their presence.
5. Stop Saying "That's Not in the Drawings"
Yes, we know. That's why field leadership matters. Solve the gap, then close the loop. Lead the fix. Be the grown-up in the room.
Final Thoughts from the Field
It's easy to treat the jobsite like a courtroom:
Every trade defending their turf. Every party blaming the paperwork.
But the best builds? They don't come from battles.
They come from alignment.
From GCs who don't just push the schedule, But guide the project.
From supers who don't just react, But communicate like partners.
From leaders who treat the architect like an asset, not an obstacle.
That's what earns you the next job before the ribbon's even cut.
Ready to Become a Design Champion?
We work with GCs and project leaders who want to lead smoother builds without the daily drama.
Book a free Project Clarity Call and get our exclusive
GC Field Guide to Design Collaboration
Inside:
Real-world tactics for reducing RFIs
Scripts for tricky conversations
Tools for syncing your team and the design team
Because when you build the relationship,
You build the project right the first time.
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