“We run the company by questions, not answers.”
by Eric Schmidt
THE ART OF LEADERSHIP
Do you manage answers or cultivate better questions?
A culture of inquiry scales better than a culture of directives. We asked why before how, and performance followed curiosity. Larry Page and Sergey Brin challenged every plan with pointed questions. Sundar Pichai demands context. Ruth Porat insists on clarity. Susan Wojcicki translates uncertainty into experiments. Questions concentrate attention where it matters most.
Operationalize curiosity or it vanishes. Frame reviews as questions tied to outcomes. Replace monologues with data that provokes debate. Use OKRs to anchor intent, then ask which dependency threatens success, and who is closest to facts. Reward the engineer who overturns a pet theory. Praise the marketer who cancels a weak launch early.
Leaders model skepticism without cynicism. Start meetings by asking what has changed since last week and what we still do not understand, and end by naming the next test and how we will know when it is complete. When teams expect thoughtful questions, answers improve, cycles shorten, and accountability grows. Over time, your organization learns faster than rivals and compounds its advantage.
Ask three sharper questions, share context, run one test, measure outcomes, and reward truth today publicly.
COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION
What if your agency truly worked like insiders?
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Values power delivery. Integrity, underpromise and overdeliver, never give up, go above and beyond, and always strive to be your best, propelling consistent results for customers and candidates. With transparent communication and career coaching, The Finders helps companies hire with confidence and allows professionals to step into the next chapter with clarity and speed.
INFRASTRUCTURE INDUSTRY
Will night work keep hospital traffic moving safely?
Charlottesville announced today that controlled blasting and night work will advance the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority’s raw water pipeline under Fontaine Avenue. The 36-inch line links Ragged Mountain Reservoir to the Observatory Water Treatment Plant, replacing two 18-inch pipes from the early 1900s. Thalle Construction Company leads field work near the University of Virginia property with short traffic holds for each blast.
Here is the schedule shared by Westley Kern. A noon blast is planned Thursday, with five-minute closures on Fontaine before and after safety checks. Starting next week, crews will cross the avenue at night between the 29 Bypass and Ray C Hunt Drive, keeping daytime travel open while trail segments on O Hill and the Fontaine path close temporarily.
This is a 61.5 million dollar investment inside a five-year 300 million program to strengthen storage and transmission for Charlottesville and Albemarle. Recent milestones include paving on Hereford Drive in August. The upgrade enhances drought resilience, reduces leak risk, and positions the region for future growth with reliable water services.
RESIDENTIAL RESEARCH
Can incentives outbuild rising construction and financing costs?
New Jersey advanced two major housing deals today. The NJEDA Board approved Aspire tax credits that will support 537 homes statewide, including 267 affordable residences, tied to more than $143 million in total investment. Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan said the awards will revitalize main streets and strengthen long-term growth.
In Jersey City, 701 Newark Ave will deliver a 34-story tower with 360 apartments, 90 set aside as affordable, plus a new pedestrian way called Homestead Place connecting to the PATH station, clinics, and the library. Mayor Steven M. Fulop praised the plan as a Journal Square milestone.
In Atlantic City, Garden Court Apartments will preserve 177 affordable homes across twenty buildings, with Gateway Community Action Partnership coordinating resident services. Mayor Marty Small Sr. called the approval an excellent day for the city. Because Aspire operates as performance-based tax credits, builders and lenders will move once milestones are certified, putting site crews and suppliers to work quickly.
TOOLBOX TALK
The Importance of Walk‑Behind Concrete (Flat) Saw Safety
Introduction
Good morning, Team! Today’s toolbox talk covers safe use of walk‑behind concrete saws for slab and pavement cuts.
Why It Matters
Flat saws spin heavy diamond blades at high speed. Strikes on PT tendons/utility lines, kickback from binding, poor slurry control, or bad traffic setups can cause serious injuries and costly damage.
Strategies for Safe Flat‑Sawing
Verify Before You Cut – Review locates/GPR, mark no‑cut zones, and confirm slab thickness; never cut post‑tensioned concrete without written clearance.
Stage the Work Zone – Set barricades/spotter and a clear travel path; manage vehicle and pedestrian traffic; light the area if needed.
Inspect the Saw – Check blade condition/rating, guard, arbor nut, throttle, water feed, and GFCI power. Use only blades rated for RPM/material.
Control Dust & Slurry – Wet-cut to suppress silica; contain slurry with dams and a wet vac; keep out of storm drains. Maintain firm footing; clean slick areas promptly.
Cut With Control – Two‑hand operation; start shallow and step‑cut to depth; feed steadily (don’t force). Stand out of the blade line, avoid tight turns while engaged, and stop if vibration or wandering occurs.
Discussion Questions
Where are today’s no‑cut/PT/utility zones and our slurry containment route?
Who is the spotter for traffic control, and how do we signal stop/emergency?
Conclusion
Plan the path, verify the slab, guard the blade, and manage slurry—every cut. Controlled setup and technique keep crews safe and cuts clean.
Mark it, wet it, cut with control.
The Smart Way to Deploy Secure Voice AI
Learn how security unlocks Voice AI for enterprise teams. This guide covers HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC 2 readiness—plus how to deploy agents across 100+ locations without slowing down procurement or risking compliance.