Yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking at the Construction Owners Association of America’s — COAA Connect — conference.
A room full of leaders responsible for designing, building, managing, and maintaining complex healthcare, higher education, and public infrastructure.
Turning visions into value. Campuses into communities.
But like most construction and facility leaders, they’re not just executing their mission — they’re serving a greater one.
Balancing competing priorities. Juggling urgency and importance. Leading people through complexity and change.
After an exciting day of speaking, networking, and refueling on both ideas and inspiration… I caught the news:
The first American Pope had been announced.
Wow. What news.
And then my mind went to his name — Pope Leo XIV.
Leo the Lion. And lions are leaders. We have a new global leader of the Catholic faith.
It reinforced the theme of my entire day — the power and pressure of new leadership.
New leaders arrive with hope.
Hope in themselves — that they can rise to the challenge, that they were chosen for a reason.
And hope from those they lead — that maybe things will be clearer, better, or more inspired this time.
Hope is belief in a better tomorrow.
And whether you’re stepping into a papacy, a program office, or a project kickoff, the same question lingers:
Can this leader make it better? … Can this leader make ME better?
But leadership isn’t magic. It’s not charisma or command.
The best leaders balance boldness with humility.
Conviction with curiosity.
Inspiration with steady, demonstrated example.
Because here’s the truth:
The leader can set the tone, shift the policy, and define the standard…
But it’s the team who drives the mission forward.
The leader is the spark — the people are the fire.
That’s why habits matter.
They are the daily demonstrations of leadership — not lofty ideas, but practiced actions.
At MCFA, we set a high standard for our Project Leaders. And it starts with teaching and then expecting good habits.
Initiate. Navigate. Serve to name a few.
Start with clarity. Lead through change. Deliver with purpose.
These aren’t just project habits.
They’re people habits.
Leadership habits.
Habits that build trust, create momentum, and turn hope into real progress.
So whether you’re a PM, a public works director, or… the Pope, remember:
Leadership starts with practice — not position.
Let’s keep building — people and projects.
Make it a great weekend…and Happy Mother’s Day to all of the Moms out there.
BJ
P.S. If you want my full 7 Habits of Highly Effective Project Leaders checklist — shoot me a note.
It’s a great reminder of how to lead well in the day-to-day.
