Construction is a Team Sport

Construction is a Team Sport: 5 Skills for Every Young Construction Professional

Are you a young professional entering the world of construction - eager to make an impact but unsure where to start?

Construction is a Team Sport is your essential playbook for thriving in one of the most dynamic industries in the world. Drawing on real-life stories, practical strategies, and timeless principles from leadership and personal development experts, this book equips you with the five game-changing skills every construction professional needs:

• Confidence - build self-belief and presence on site and in the office.

• Professional Communication - master the art of clear, effective conversations that get results.

• Teamwork - shift from "me" to "we" and become the teammate everyone wants to work with.

• Initiative - learn how to step up, anticipate problems, and add value without waiting to be told.

• Emotional Intelligence - handle pressure, navigate personalities, and lead yourself before leading others.

Whether you're a site apprentice, graduate engineer, trainee project manager, or new to construction altogether, this book gives you practical tools you can apply immediately to stand out, earn trust, and accelerate your career.

Packed with self-assessments, actionable advice, and insights from industry leaders, Construction is a Team Sport will help you grow not just as a professional, but as a confident, proactive, and emotionally intelligent member of any team.

If you want to build a career as strong as the projects you work on, this is where it starts.

Praise for Construction is a team sport:

I strongly recommend Construction is a Team Sport by Errol Lawson. The reason this book stands out is it is a guide to learning core skills and habits for the construction industry. By applying these directly in real environments it will help young professionals build credibility from day one and become a highly valued team member on any site.

Martin Arnold
Head of Brand & Strategic Marketing
Carey Group


Construction is a team sport' is a well-researched and written book that provides valuable advice across a broad range of relevant topics. It is recommended to anyone considering a career in the built environment - no matter what age.'

Mark Harrison
Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Transformation - CIOB

I really enjoyed this book. It's not the usual dry career guide - it feels more like someone cheering you on and giving you real, practical advice you can actually use. Errol Lawson talks openly about the challenges of working in construction, especially if you're new or feel like you don't quite fit in, but he does it in a way that's encouraging and down-to-earth. The mix of stories, tips, and straight talking makes it easy to read and easy to apply. I came away feeling more confident about how to handle myself on site and in teams. It's definitely a book I'd recommend to anyone starting out in construction."

Randeep Sami
Vice Principal James Watt College

Construction is a Team Sport by Errol Lawson is a powerful and inspiring read that highlights the importance of collaboration in the construction industry. Lawson, a trailblazer in creating opportunities for young people, shares practical insights and real-world examples that emphasize teamwork, leadership, and accountability. This book is a must-read for anyone passionate about building not just structures, but also futures.

It's both a guide and a call to action for inclusive, purpose-driven change in construction.

Lee Davies
Head of Operations
United Infrastructure