I have a riddle: What one word, to the skeptic is labeled and reduced as kumbaya, costs nothing yet in its absence can cost us everything, and has the foundational power to transform the construction industry? Any ideas...?

The answer is caring. Yet in what tense? An emotional state of being, or an action? The answer is both. For those who have been in the construction industry for more than 10 years, perhaps no other word signifies a change is coming. It’s authentically used to describe organizational and project culture, a place to stand [and take a stand], and a powerful and expanded context for engaging with others to make a positive difference in the safe execution of work and dignity of others.

Now perhaps more mainstream than ever, I’m curious where you would say this philosophy in action first anchored itself and where it’s headed. I believe its power to live up to itself, through each one of us, is just getting going.

By way of your comments, please share your thoughts and experiences of what caring means to you so we can harness its collective power in the construction industry.