Individual career development in daily work
Overview
Join our discussion as we explore how career development can transition from an abstract HR concept to a daily, lived practice embedded in visual practices. Drawing on Story Construction’s multi-year journey, participants will examine how daily routines, Job Relations, and transformational leadership can be integrated to support individual growth. The conversation will highlight practical lessons learned about habit change, employee ownership, and aligning developmental goals with daily assignments. Together, we will reflect on what it takes to create conditions for meaningful team engagement that supports individuals in achieving their goals.
Host Company
Story Construction is a $220M commercial general contractor and design-builder founded in 1934, serving clients within a 120-mile radius of its Iowa locations. As a 100% employee-owned ESOP, the company self-performs key trades including concrete, steel and precast erection, carpentry, and millwright work. Over the past decade, Story has pursued operational excellence through Lean production planning while intentionally integrating career development into daily work.
People and Culture Virtual Consortium, a community of leaders who meet regularly to collaborate on building and strengthening people-centric cultures. The Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) is the premier organization for the exchange of knowledge in enterprise excellence. Members come together to explore lean thinking and other enterprise improvement methods, exchange best practices and network in order to advance their careers and improve the competitiveness and overall value of their organizations.
Presenter
Pat Geary joined Story Construction as a Project Engineer in 1992 after graduating from Iowa State University’s Construction Engineering program. He first 13 years were spent leading projects as a Project Engineer, Project Manager and Operations Manager ultimately becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2005 and then President in 2025. Over the past decade, Pat has overseen the creation and deployment of Story’s lean project production system, Construction Production 2.0, as well as the Story Way, the company’s scientific thinking leadership, and behavioral model. Pat is married with two grown sons, one of whom works at Story as a Crew Leader.
Agenda
Friday, January 23, 2026
12 p.m. Opening discussion on topic
12:15 p.m. Presentation on the Career Development by Pat Guery
12:35 p.m. Small Group Discussion on innovative Development Practices
12:55 p.m. Closing
PARTICIPANT BENEFITS
Specific, lean inspired, career development practices that reinforce each other when designed as part of the one system.
Detailed implementation steps for habits, such as Kata and Job Relations, that can be used to sustain development over time.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Leaders of operations
Human resources,
Continuous improvement
Anyone interested in innovative approaches to developing team members
Safety Requirements
OTHER REGISTRATION INFORMATION
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