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March 28, 2022 / 2022 Best Places to Work in Connecticut

At Consigli Construction, every employee is heard, included and celebrated

By Susan Shalhoub
Headquarters: Hartford
Industry: Construction
Website: www.consigli.com
Top Executive: Anthony Consigli, CEO
 
More Information

Employees in some companies experienced a disconnect after the switch to virtual work due to COVID-19. 

But at Consigli Construction, the pandemic only solidified bonds between team members, said Josh Sylvester, the firm’s Connecticut director of operations. They had to learn new ways to collaborate and communicate. When the 50 employees assembled for their annual meeting, they realized how much they missed being together.

That’s because the workplace has a foundation of togetherness, said Sylvester. “That comes from Matthew and Anthony Consigli [the company’s president and CEO, respectively] and the way they manage the company,” he said. “They maintain that close-knit feel. We all like to work here, and we like working together.”

The building industry has tough conditions, said Sylvester – with unforgiving deadlines, late hours, physical demands at job sites, and complications of different personalities in ever-changing situations. With COVID came unprecedented shortages of labor and materials, too. All of the factors that make Consigli one of the Best Places to Work were seen and appreciated more than ever. 

Fun was needed and Consigli already had it woven into its work culture, whether at the office or job sites.

Consigli schedules social activities, such as Yard Goats games, summer picnics and a Christmas party. 

“These are the planned things,” said Sylvester. “But there are so many organic things, too — co-workers grabbing dinner or going golfing on our half-day summer Fridays. We really celebrate each other’s successes — that’s what it’s like to work here. If you can’t have fun, what’s the point?” 

Inspired by unity

Employee successes are also celebrated more formally at Consigli’s annual meeting awards. The company selects recipients for its Rookie of the Year, Unsung Hero, Society Award, Arch Award (recognizes someone who has been living the Consigli way, earning trust, mentoring and motivating) Builder of the Year and Tenure Awards. 

Perhaps more importantly, the company also makes opportunities for its employees to shine, and therefore, develop professionally. They grow more confident at work, and increase their value at the firm. 

“Everyone has the ability to put their fingerprint on projects we deliver to every client,” Sylvester said, with input welcome on projects from colleagues throughout the company. Consigli sees this collaboration, whether at the start or final stages of a project, as a way to impact overall success. 

Team members are also welcome to learn or apply for other roles at Consigli. 

“I always tell people at the office, ‘You make your own way,’ ” Sylvester said. “If they want to shift gears, we do welcome movement up and around the company and for them to improve where they want to. We are flexible and open to those discussions.”

Adding to excellence

In addition to encouraging employees to be on a track of continuous improvement, Consigli is on one of its own.  

Katie Gregory, assistant director of marketing, said the company is always looking for ways to fine-tune its culture. At the beginning of the pandemic, an employee resource group was formed, with four spinoff groups emphasizing diversity and inclusion. 

The groups, all composed of employee volunteers, represent the needs of veterans, women, the LGBTQ community and Black, Indigenous and People of Color individuals. 

“They are not managed, but employee-led. We wanted the groups to have organic growth,” she said. More spinoff groups are expected. 

Sylvester added that a mandatory Consigli training on unconscious bias has been an enlightening educational activity that also leads to employees understanding themselves and one another on a deeper level, leading to better communication. 

Consigli’s close community culture, focus on fun and concentrated efforts to ensure all employees are heard and represented have proven to be a winning formula.

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