Jonathan Cinelli is a Project Management Professional (PMP) and an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) who has over 20 years’ industry knowledge in the construction field. Jonathan demonstrates a very specialized, forward-thinking approach to business, designed for sustainability, with emphasis on continued growth and adaptability.
Jonathan’s intuitive approach and collaborative problem-solving has supported construction teams to achieve exceptional outcomes and set new standards. Utilizing the fundamentals of project management, coupled with his background in business, construction and brain-based coaching, Jonathan understands the critical components that lead to highly effective project teams.
Jonathan is an advocate for lifelong learning and truly enjoys sharing his insight and knowledge with others. When not immersed in coaching children, Jonathan—a husband and father of two—is deeply in love with his family and spends the remainder of his leisure time at their home in Toronto.
Interview with Jonathan
Who are you?
A loving father, husband, brother, and son who loves to see people perform at their best and unleash their potential within.
Why do you do what you do?
I believe in a world where people are treated as a precious gift, approached with curiosity rather than judgment, where engagement is high, respect reciprocal + cultural, educational + socioeconomic barriers are removed allowing people to feel safe + appreciated for the work they do.
How does this relate to construction?
Traditional construction ideologies have been more about widgets in vs widgets out to drive profits rather than understanding the people doing the work. When you Put People First everything changes-blind spots + opportunities become illuminated which may not have otherwise been present. This drives up business metrics, engagement, respect + connection.
You wrote a book which speaks about putting people first with a focus on your experience in the construction industry. Why bother?
I believe with every cell in my body that; when you lead with a people centric approach the world changes. Traditional construction methodologies have been about inputs & outputs which lead to profitability. People are often treated as one time use widgets, and often dismissed or not acknowledged for successes of projects. Failures are pinned on people rather than external influences including and not limited to environments, corporate cultures and leadership messaging. I believe, that the success of any project (personal, passion or professional) comes down to the people and the people who embody it.
In an earlier publication in Keys to our Success V2 you identified that the one tool that has made so many of your endeavors successful was to be humble. Why Humbleness?
When we remember that we are human beings, and we all have good days and bad with emotional peaks and valleys it enables us to be conscientious about our choices. By embracing a humbled approach to leadership it allows us to be mindfully present, aware and remain curious. Curiosity leads to creativity and innovation.
I understand that you train, coach + educate leaders–what is it you really do for them?
Great question- Simply put, I support others to be their own superhero; show up as the best version of themselves + become attuned to those around them so that they lead themselves + others with respect + humanity.
~better leaders create better parents, who create better students, ultimately creating better human beings~
How do you have time to coach youth athletes?
We make time for the important things in life where we want to invest our energy. For me; working with young athletes, provides a window pane into children’s minds to help them be the best versions of themselves, and enable them to see what could be possible.
Sport becomes the vehicle which I use to connect with young people and have them to understand that they matter, they make a difference and life and sport is about the choice we make and who we choose to show up as.
Why work with you?
You landed on this page because your curiosity connected us and allowed our worlds to intersect for a moment it time. It is that same curiosity that has your future self screaming to become entangled with me and change the way we lead ourselves, our children and our businesses.
What should I know before partnering with you?
Partnerships succeed when expectations are vividly clear. For the journey to be successful I expect the following;
1. Be willing to invest in your own personal growth-sacrifice the easy way out.
2. Be ready to commit. Take ownership for your actions + hold yourself to a higher standard.
3. Don’t make it easy for me-bring a challenge.
4. Do the work. It may be awful at the time– After the struggle is where the growth emerges.
5. Show up with energy + curiosity.
Are you certified?
I hold these certifications:
309A (Red Seal construction and maintenance electrician)
PMP (Project Management Professional)
ACC (Associate Certified coach)
Brain based executive coach