Staying Grounded While Leading Construction Forward

What does it take to build a $300 million construction company that people actually want to work for?

According to Ben Kossow, the answer is simple: believe in your people and back it up with action.

Ben isn’t your average CEO. With 26 years at Riley Construction, he’s grown from project engineer to CEO, and he’s done it by staying close to the field. In fact, one of his biggest priorities today is making sure the culture he learned early on doesn’t get lost as the company grows.

That culture has a name: Hi-Fi, short for Humility, Integrity, Flexibility, and Initiative, and it’s more than a poster on the wall. It’s baked into how Riley builds, how they hire, how they promote, and how they lead.

And it shows.

Why Culture Isn’t a Buzzword

You won’t find Riley Construction relying on motivational slogans. Instead, you’ll find repeatable, transparent systems that every team member, from laborer to client, can see in action.

One example? Their in-step system. It’s based on lean principles from Toyota, but it’s been fully “Riley-tized” with visual boards in job trailers, shared targets, and a process so clear even new hires can jump in and contribute.

Want to know what a Big Mac has to do with construction planning? Ben explains how Big Mac diagrams visually align teams in every trailer. And yes, some employees can even sing the jingle.

The Power of Walking the Site

Ben shares powerful stories of laborers who made a lasting impression on hospital CEOs just by being kind, helpful, and living Riley’s values. It’s proof that culture doesn’t stop at the office: it thrives when it’s modeled on the ground.

Riley’s leaders walk the job sites regularly. They meet the crews, ask questions, and, most importantly, listen.

That listening has turned into action: better safety harnesses, clearer communication via text, and even hydration improvements. None of it hits the balance sheet in a big way, but all of it moves the needle on employee engagement.

Why Engagement Is the Future of Construction

If you’re in construction, you’re in the people business. And disengaged people cost money: up to 8.4% of your annual revenue.

Riley doesn’t guess at how engaged their teams are. They ask. Every six months. From laborers to executives, everyone gives feedback. And the leadership team doesn’t ignore it. They act on it.

Want to see the impact of your decisions? Start by asking better questions and be ready to follow through.

What’s Next for Riley Construction?

With growth in healthcare, manufacturing, and data centers, Riley’s future is bright. But Ben says growth will only happen the right way: by scaling culture along with project size.

The next big thing? Continuing to find and invest in the right people. Because when your team believes in the mission, growth happens organically.

Want the full story, including how Ben’s team mentors youth apprentices and turns middle schoolers into future tradespeople?

Listen to the full episode now.

Connect With Ben:

Website: https://rileycon.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-kossow-leed-ap-aa187511/

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