Episode 191: ‘Hard Hat Hustle’ with Jennifer Lacy
In this episode:
Women Talk Construction celebrates its four-year anniversary during Women in Construction Week 2026 with guest Jennifer Lacy of Robins & Morton, Director of Building Forward and LEAN Practices. Lacy discusses “respect for people” as the core of LEAN construction, emphasizing that leaders build psychological safety through daily interactions, especially by listening, asking open-ended questions, and responding directly to what others say rather than preconceived agendas. She explains how her “No BS with Jen and Jess” community began as live streams and grew into a space for uncomfortable but needed conversations. Lacy highlights mental and physical health as business strategies tied to retention and safety, sharing her father’s death after years of overwork as a warning against postponing self-care. She encourages creating transparent, vulnerable workplaces and serving others through everyday actions.
Sponsored by: NPK and Groundbreak Carolinas
Show Notes and Links:
00:00 Welcome and Anniversary
00:56 Meet Jennifer Lacy
03:28 Respect for People
04:44 Listening Builds Safety
07:56 Sponsor Break NPK
10:41 No BS Origin Story
12:41 Health as Strategy
16:50 Vulnerability at Work
19:46 Sponsor Break Groundbreak
20:23 Letting Go Lesson
22:39 Serving and Purpose
23:46 Where to Find Jen
25:11 Final Thanks and Impact
About Jennifer:
With a profound commitment to advancing the construction industry, my focus is on thought leadership, bridging theory and practice to shape the industry’s future while inspiring professionals to embrace innovation and change.
I am an author and illustrator, a cohost of the weekly No BS with Jen & Jess LinkedIn Live and YouTube livestream, and the No BS with Jen & Jess LinkedIn platform.
I am a speaker at top-tier conferences, including Lean Construction Institute Congress, AGC National Convention, and Healthcare Facilities Symposium.
I am the recipient of the Dallas Business Journal 2023 Women in Business Award.
My role as the Director of Building Forward® & Lean Practices at Robins & Morton, with a tenure of 20 years, provides the opportunities for me with the opportunity to help drive the evolution of the company’s pioneering Building Forward® approach grounded in Lean philosophies.
