A team uninformed is a team uninspired. If they are aware of the big picture, and know what others are doing to contribute, it will help them feel connected to the work they are doing.

Once you have delegated tasks and given each individual or group an assignment, don’t hover. No one likes a micro-manager. Of course check in often with the progress of each stage of the project, but too much of your presence can actually get in the way of productivity and make your team and coworkers feel like you do not trust them to do a good job.

Surely you can remember having a boss you didn’t like. Having open communication with your employees does not make you their friend even if they do like you. Finding the balance between too friendly and too strict is one of the hardest parts of being a manger, but it gets easier once you’ve accepted that you won’t always be liked.

When someone has confidence in what they do, it shows. If you are unsure, your team will also feel uneasy. Everyone notices confidence, it may be the feature that allows you to stand out from your peers and be recommended for the next project.

Construction Management can be stressful, so be sure to set aside some time in your personal life for you to unwind. Your mood as a manager sets the tone for the day. If you are happy and relaxed, that will translate to your team. They will feel more comfortable and be more productive at the job site as a result of your positive energy.

Time management skills are a necessity and it is arguably the most important one needed as a construction manager. Being on time for meetings and creating and executing timelines are what will define your career. Having good time management skills translates to others seeing you as reliable and will be more likely to want to work with you again in the future.

As a construction manager, you will have to meet with everyone involved in a specific project, and that means a lot of paper work, emails, and RFIs (requests for information). Have a system in place that allows you to file everything either physically or electronically (preferably both so that you have a backup if needed), that way you know where everything is at all times.

Especially if you are still a student, it is important to really hone your writing and math skills. Poorly written communication and inaccurate math is read as unprofessional. There are different software programs that are now being used to calculate costs of construction projects, so it is important to be able to see any mistakes either you or someone else may have made that the software may not catch.

As a new manager, you will be introduced to a new crew, set of designers, engineers, etc., and they may need some convincing that you are right for the job. One way to win them over is to know all of the ins and outs of the project, and by staying on top of what everyone is or will be doing to complete the project.

Yes, it is important to be informed, but a lot of your credibility will come from your previous experience. Part of being a construction manager is working out of an office, but a large portion of it is also having hands-on labor skills. Especially while you are in school, you should try to get at least an internship or a summer job as a general laborer. This type of experience will help you and your construction crew relate to each other.