Distinguishing Human Factors of Top-Performing Project Managers in the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Trades

9 pages•Published: May 15, 2022

Omar Maali, Brian Lines, Amirali Shalwani, Jake Smithwick and Kenneth Sullivan

Abstract

The construction trades seek strategies to overcome the labor shortages currently affecting the marketplace. One innovative tool that has gained increased attention is the application of human dimension assessments from the social sciences to the construction trades. For example, this study utilized three human dimension measures – assessments of personality, emotional intelligence, and behavioral tendencies – in the context of project managers (PMs) in the sheet metal and air conditioning trades. This preliminary study assessed 42 PMs from across the United States. The direct supervisors of each PM completed a detailed performance review which was then used to identify the absolute top performers “cream of the crop” from this nationwide pilot study. Analysis revealed several statistically significant differences between the Top-Performing PMs and the remaining participants. Such information is beneficial to the specialty trades in several ways: First, moving toward a nationwide benchmark of human dimensions for PMs from across the country (albeit on a pilot-scale), which can be used for recruitment and talent development purposes. Second, the results contributed to the distinguishing characteristics of Top-Performing PMs, which may be beneficial for internal talent development purposes.

Keyphrases: emotional intelligence, personality, project managers, specialty trades

In: Tom Leathem, Wes Collins and Anthony Perrenoud (editors). ASC2022. 58th Annual Associated Schools of Construction International Conference, vol 3, pages 130-138.

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/qrt2
	https://doi.org/10.29007/lxdh

BibTeX entry

@inproceedings{ASC2022:Distinguishing_Human_Factors_Top,
  author    = {Omar Maali and Brian Lines and Amirali Shalwani and Jake Smithwick and Kenneth Sullivan},
  title     = {Distinguishing Human Factors of Top-Performing Project Managers in the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Trades},
  booktitle = {ASC2022. 58th Annual Associated Schools of Construction International Conference},
  editor    = {Tom Leathem and Wes Collins and Anthony Perrenoud},
  series    = {EPiC Series in Built Environment},
  volume    = {3},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2632-881X},
  url       = {/publications/paper/qrt2},
  doi       = {10.29007/lxdh},
  pages     = {130-138},
  year      = {2022}}

Download PDF Open PDF in browser