The Most Dangerous Words on a Jobsite: "That's How We've Always Done It”

Gil Rosa
May 2
2 min read

If your best defense is the past, your future is already in trouble.

There’s a phrase I’ve heard on more job sites than I can count.

It usually shows up when something goes wrong, a better solution is offered, or someone questions why things are the way they are.

“That’s how we've always done it."

Seems harmless. Even confident.

But on a construction site, those six words are often the first sign of a stuck system, a resistant culture, and a project headed for problems.

Tradition isn’t the issue, stagnation is

Let’s be clear. There’s nothing wrong with having a tried-and-true way of doing things.

A detail that holds up
A crew rhythm that delivers
A communication method that works in the field

That’s wisdom. That’s earned.

But when “how we’ve always done it” becomes an excuse to stop questioning, stop improving, or stop noticing the cracks it becomes a liability.

In construction, staying the same means falling behind.

Because the work is always changing:

Projects are faster
Clients are more demanding
Labor is tighter
Materials are delayed
Budgets are stressed

If your systems aren't adapting, your results won't either.

What this mindset costs you

Here’s what I’ve seen “that’s how we’ve always done it” actually lead to:

Missed opportunities to reduce delays or costs
Frustration from newer team members with better ideas
Repeating preventable mistakes
Falling behind firms that do improve their processes
Tension between field crews and management
Outdated workflows slowing down otherwise solid teams

This isn’t just about being modern. It’s about staying effective.

What to say instead

Strong builders don’t defend every habit.

They ask questions like:

“Is this still working as well as it used to?”
“How can we make this smoother for the crew?”
“Does this process match the project we’re on now?”
“What would make this faster without cutting quality?”
“What’s one thing we did last job that needs adjusting?”

This is how good systems evolve through small, honest questions from leaders in the field.

How to create a culture of improvement

If you’re running a job, a crew, or a company, here’s how you can start shifting the mindset:

1. Ask "Why?" weekly

Choose one part of your operation, scheduling, communication, material delivery—and dig in. What’s not working? Why are we doing it this way?

2. Make space for better ideas

Your younger crew members and foremen see things you don’t. Ask them what feels clunky, inefficient, or outdated.

3. Update your playbook every quarter

Review one system each quarter. Even small changes—like adjusting meeting flow or simplifying daily logs—compound over time.

Final Thought: Stop paying for old habits

If the only reason you do something is “because that’s how we’ve always done it," it's time to take a closer look.

Great builders don't defend the past. They build what works now.

At GRPM Services, we help teams spot stuck systems, upgrade their work processes, and lead projects that flow better in the field and in the office.

If you have a few processes that feel heavy, outdated, or just off, we can help fix them fast.

Let's cut the waste and build smarter. www.grpmservices.com