Loyalty in the Texas Heat: What My Grandpa Showed Me About Building People, Not Just Projects

Grandpa and Me 2003

My Grandpa owned a General Contracting and masonry business right here in Texas. He was an exacting man, no question about it. He demanded respect and he expected the best from everyone who worked for him. Some would call him hard, tough, maybe even inflexible. He was one of those people you either liked, or you didn’t. His own kids would say the same.

I was pretty young back then, but I remember his kids always seemed to try extra hard to please him. He could be tough, but he was fair. If you worked for him and tried your best, he was kind, patient, and always willing to help you.

That balance he had—high standards but real care for people—is something I still carry with me to this day.

George and Grandpa

One of my favorite stories, and I remember this man well, is about George* (name has been changed).

George was a big, burly man. He always picked up his check in person at my Grandpa’s home office. He was quiet and gentle, very polite—always said "yes ma'am" and "no ma'am" to my grandmother, and he never called Grandpa anything but "Boss." I never heard him call Grandpa any other name. The first time I saw The Green Mile, I thought of George. Same kind of build, same kind of spirit.

Grandpa loved him.

George showed up on a jobsite one day, desperate for work. He had never worked construction before, never even had an outdoor job. Grandpa hired him as a laborer for the bricklayers, told him what was expected, and paired him with another laborer to show him the ropes.

George didn’t need anyone to push him.

He learned fast, and he worked hard.

But this was Texas in the summer—110 degrees in the shade.

At the end of his first day, George quit.

“I can’t do it, Boss. It’s too hot, and I’ve got blisters on my hands.”

Grandpa just patted him on the back and said, “You’ll get used to it. See you tomorrow.”

And George came back.

The next evening, he quit again.

“I can’t do it, Boss. It’s just too hard.”

“Okay, George. See you tomorrow.”

And George came back.

This went on every single day that summer. Then one day, George didn’t quit.

He worked for years after that.

Loyalty Goes Both Ways

In the winter, building slowed down. Sometimes it was too wet or too cold to work for weeks at a time. George had a big family, and Grandpa didn’t want to lose him.

So Grandpa paid him anyway.

Every week.

Even the weeks when nobody worked at all.

George wasn’t the only one. If you were loyal to the company, the company was loyal to you. That’s just how it was back then.

Not every business can afford to do that, and I get it. But the principle matters more than the exact dollar amount.

People don’t stay loyal to companies. They stay loyal to leaders who make them feel seen, valued, and safe.

What This Taught Me as an Employer

Over the years, I’ve tried to carry that lesson forward in my own way. You don’t have to match someone’s paycheck to earn their loyalty. You have to match their effort with appreciation.

Here are a few ways I’ve seen that make a real difference:

1. Recognition Matters

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can give someone is public appreciation. End-of-year banquets, team meetings, or even just a simple "job well done" in front of everyone can mean more than you think.

2. Small Rewards Add Up

For a few years, we ran a company share program. Bonuses for jobs finished on time or early. It wasn’t just about money. It gave everyone a sense of ownership in the outcome.

3. Show You’re Paying Attention

A gift card, a handwritten note, remembering an anniversary, or asking about a family member. These small things tell people they’re not just a number on a payroll sheet.

4. Set the Standard — Then Support It

My Grandpa was tough, but he was patient too. He expected excellence, and he helped people rise to it. That’s what turns a job into a career.

The Lesson That Lasts

Grandpa is gone now.

So is George.

But the lesson they left behind still guides me every single day.

You don’t just build buildings. You build people. When you build people, they help you build everything else.

Whether you’re an employer trying to keep good workers or an employee wondering if your effort matters, it does. Loyalty, respect, and appreciation still mean something in this industry. They always will.

— Bricklady

For Employers: What’s one simple way you can show appreciation this week — even if it doesn’t cost a dime?

For Employees: What kind of leader brings out your best work — and how can you become that person for someone else?