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In construction, we pride ourselves on toughness, grit, and getting the job done. But when it comes to mental health, the most important work isn’t about pushing harder; it’s about pausing to look inward.
Josh Rizzo, a West Point graduate, combat leader, and now a mental health advocate, knows this firsthand. By 25, he was promoted to Captain in the U.S. Army, leading hundreds of soldiers in combat. He received military awards and corporate promotions and checked all the boxes society defines as “success.”
And yet, he was miserable.
“I had everything I ever wanted, everything people dream of, and I was falling apart inside. On paper, I looked unstoppable, but I was self-medicating with alcohol, drugs, and risky behavior because I didn’t know how to face my sadness and anxiety.”
Treating Yourself Like You Matter
It took years before Josh asked for help. Walking into the VA hospital in 2012 was one of the hardest things he’s ever done. But it was also the beginning of a new way of leading, from the inside out.
“I realized that I had to treat myself like someone I’m responsible for. We’re so good as leaders at taking care of everyone else, but we often put ourselves last, until we fall off the hill.”
Daily practices like gratitude journaling and writing notes of self-compassion helped him rebuild his internal foundation:
- Noticing what is good
- Encouraging himself the way he would encourage others
- Ending each note with the reminder: “I love you. You have everything you need inside of you.”
These habits were not indulgent. They were maintenance.
And they allowed him to show up stronger for others.
You Are the Pilot of Your Own Plane
Josh uses a metaphor that resonates deeply with anyone in a leadership or caretaker role:
“Every human being is the pilot of their own plane. We have the first-class cabin, our closest people, and the main cabin, our coworkers, our teams, our communities. But if we don’t take care of the pilot first, we cannot take care of anyone in the cabin.”
In construction, workers often put everyone else first: the crew, the job, the deadlines, the family waiting at home.
Josh’s message flips that thinking:
You can’t safely fly the plane if the pilot is exhausted, overwhelmed, or not okay.
Self-care isn't a weakness. It’s leadership.
Compassionate Listening: The Leadership Skill We Miss
Most leadership training teaches us how to talk,how to motivate, correct, and direct.
But Josh reminds us that the real magic happens when we learn how to listen.
“When I ask people how the best leaders make them feel, the answers are always the same: heard, understood, acknowledged, cared for, and included.”
Compassionate listening creates a safe space where people can finally remove the mask they wear at work. Josh has seen rival crews, who wouldn’t even make eye contact, walk away with respect and connection after a single day of practicing open, honest conversation.
Practical takeaway for leaders:
In your next huddle or hallway conversation, ask an open question and resist the urge to fix or respond immediately.Sometimes being heard is the most powerful help you can give.
A Safe Space in the Field
Josh now spends five to ten hours a week on the phone with construction workers across the country. Some just need a few minutes to vent, and others need a partner on the road to professional help. For companies, Josh runs workshops and retreats that create peer groups where crews learn to listen deeply to each other. It’s often the first time workers realize they’re not alone in their struggles.
A Book to Start With
Until Josh’s own book is finished, he often recommends Peace Is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh. It’s a simple, practical guide to mindfulness, perfect for anyone navigating stress and uncertainty.
3 Ways to Start Today
- Journal – Write down one thing you’re grateful for and one kind note to yourself.
- Practice compassionate listening – In your next conversation, focus only on understanding, not fixing.
- Learn from others – Read a page of Peace Is Every Step or follow Josh’s ongoing lessons on LinkedIn, where he shares reflections and leadership insights.
Moving Forward
Josh’s story proves that success on paper doesn’t equal peace on the inside. By looking inward, practicing self-compassion, and choosing to listen with intention, we create jobsites,and lives,where people feel safe, supported, and human.
At MindForge, we believe that message shouldn’t stop here, it should reach every worker
Toolbox Talks
To help bring these ideas into daily practice, there’s also a toolbox talk crews can use during morning huddles or safety meetings. It encourages workers to pause, reflect on what they’re grateful for, and check in on each other, reminding everyone that mental health is just as much a part of jobsite safety as hard hats and gloves.
At MindForge, we believe that the message shouldn’t stop here; it should reach every worker.
which includes looking out for one a
The construction industry is fast-paced, demanding, and often stressful, and as the holidays approach, that stress can weigh even heavier. Workers are trying to do more with less, at work and at home. That’s why consistent reminders, resources, and compassionate communication matter.
MindForge helps organizations make that possible.
How MindForge Supports Mental Health:
- Message Center:
Send quick, meaningful messages to every worker, motivation, reminders about EAPs, local resources, or the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988). - Custom Courses & Training:
Deliver mental health training directly to the field, from stress awareness to peer-support basics. - Free Mental Health Courses:
Access prebuilt mental health learning modules in the MindForge Marketplace at no cost. - Digital Toolbox Talks:
Share toolbox talks ,like the one included in this blog, to spark important conversations during daily huddles.
MindForge Helps Teams:
- Communicate consistently
- Promote mental health awareness
- Connect with every worker in their preferred language
The construction industry is built on teamwork, and that includes watching out for each other.
As Josh reminds us, taking care of ourselves helps us take care of those around us.
A simple message can change someone’s day, or even save a life.
MindForge makes it easy to stay connected and lift each other up across every jobsite.
About the Expert: Josh Rizzo
Josh Rizzo is a former U.S. Army Captain, West Point graduate, and nationally recognized speaker who brings a rare combination of combat leadership experience and deep personal healing work to his mission. After navigating his own battles with trauma, anxiety, and depression, Josh dedicated his life to helping organizations rethink how they approach leadership, mental health, and human connection. Today, he leads powerful keynotes, workshops, and peer-based programs that create safer, more compassionate workplaces where people feel heard, supported, and valued.
If you’d like to explore Josh’s work and resources, visit JoshRizzoHuman.com