As academics, we often remind our students that education is not only about acquiring knowledge but also about developing the character and skills that allow that knowledge to be put to good use. Nowhere is this clearer than in the construction industry. Technical competence will always be necessary, but it is the human dimensions of communication, collaboration, and resilience that transform competence into excellence.
Construction is a Team Sport speaks directly to the realities of professional practice within the construction industry. Errol Lawson has produced a timely and significant text that not only prepares students, apprentices, and graduates for the transition into the workplace but also empowers them to succeed and flourish once there. The book engages openly with the challenges often faced by newcomers—uncertainty, lack of confidence and the sense of being different from peers—and reframes these experiences as opportunities for personal and professional growth. In so doing, Lawson provides readers with strategies to communicate effectively, collaborate productively, and exercise leadership with integrity.
A key strength of this book is its openness. It directly addresses long-standing cultural barriers in the construction sector, such as rigid hierarchies and the underrepresentation of women and minority groups. At the same time, it offers practical and inclusive ways to overcome these challenges, emphasising that the future of construction will depend on the meaningful contributions of diverse voices.
For educators and trainers, this book addresses a long-standing gap. While our curricula have traditionally emphasised technical ability, they have often overlooked the interpersonal, behavioural, and leadership capabilities that employers consistently identify as critical. Construction is a Team Sport bridges this gap, proving how communication, teamwork, and emotional intelligence elevate technical competence into professional excellence.
I recommend this book to all who are entering or advancing within construction. It is both a guide to practice and an invitation to help build an industry that is more collaborative, equitable, and resilient.