With over 30 years of experience in the construction industry, Joel Spalding is a visionary leader and CEO of Complex Structures Group (CSG), formerly known as Chicago Steel Group, in Merrillville, Indiana. Recognized for his integrity, innovation, and collaborative approach, he guides the company with a focus on excellence, safety, and continuous improvement.
Joel’s expertise spans value engineering, preconstruction planning, project management, and financial oversight, while his leadership philosophy centers on empowering teams, fostering open communication, and driving long-term growth. Through strategic foresight and a people-first mindset, Joel continues to strengthen Complex Structures Group’s position at the forefront of engineering and construction innovation.
Leading People with Purpose and Passion
Joel’s transition into executive leadership was the “next natural step in wanting to contribute more,” but it started early in his construction career, working for his father-in-law, who owned a carpentry firm. “I saw how he led, mentored, and treated people. He led by example and had a massive work ethic. So, I saw early on how powerful it was. It gave me the desire to have a greater impact on the growth and development of others,” he recalls.
Joel believes that success comes from placing people in the right roles and fostering true teamwork. “When individuals are engaged in work they are passionate about, they naturally invest their energy, creativity, and commitment,” he observes. “It is a remarkable experience to witness a team aligned in purpose and positioned for success. In that environment, limits are removed, the previously impossible becomes achievable, and even the most daunting challenges can be overcome.”
Joel’s definition of success has evolved significantly over the years. As an executive, he views success not as a destination, but as a continuous journey – a commitment to growth, mindset, and behaviors that enable a team to achieve what no individual could accomplish alone. “True success blends achieving meaningful goals, personal and professional growth, financial stability, making a positive impact, work-life balance, and maintaining health. The pursuit of success lies in continually refining each of these elements, striving for excellence, and inspiring those around you to reach their full potential,” he reflects.
Driving Innovation Through a 10X Mindset
Joel ensures that CSG stays ahead in a rapidly evolving engineering and construction landscape by becoming “students of the market,” constantly analyzing competitors, safety practices, materials, trends, and emerging technologies. “We are among the few steel erectors in the country with in-house engineering capabilities, a distinction that sets us apart,” he emphasizes.
Because many of the company’s projects are large and complex, this integrated approach directly enhances safety. With safety as its top priority, its engineering and construction techniques are continually driven to achieve excellence and remain at the forefront of innovation. The strategy that has the greatest impact for Joel is the “10X” approach, which he applies across every facet of business to maintain clarity and confidence when leading through uncertainty.
“Rather than settling for incremental gains, I challenge myself and my team to envision results ten times greater than current performance. Whether addressing sales, safety, or operational challenges, reframing issues as tenfold larger or more important sparks creativity and reveals innovative solutions that might otherwise be overlooked. This mindset not only drives extraordinary outcomes but also inspires teams to think bigger, act bolder, and achieve what once seemed impossible,” he states.
Staying Grounded Through Communication and Clarity
To stay connected to his team’s day-to-day challenges while managing high-level strategic goals, Joel and his team loosely follow the EOS management model as a framework to structure their meetings, maintain accountability, and strengthen communication across all levels and divisions of the company.
“While this system provides valuable organization and clarity, I believe its effectiveness ultimately depends on fostering a culture of open and transparent communication. I emphasize this at every opportunity, ensuring that every team member feels heard, informed, and empowered to contribute,” he insists.
To balance long-term vision with short-term execution in a field that demands both innovation and precision, Joel meets with the executive team every week to assess which division currently represents – or is at risk of becoming – their weakest link.
“We identify which team or aspect of the business requires our immediate and long-term attention. These priorities are constantly evolving. After a period of strong sales, for instance, our focus may shift toward execution, and later toward working capital or other operational areas. This ongoing assessment ensures that we remain proactive, balanced, and aligned in strengthening the organization as a whole,” he explains.
Joel shares that the current staff at CSG stands out as the team he’s most proud of. “Our team is exceptional – a blend of highly talented individuals, some with up to 25 years of experience at CSG, and others who have been with me for over a decade across previous ventures. Together, I truly believe they are among the best in the country. We are a company to watch, and we are steadily building toward something extraordinary,” he observes.
Leading with Integrity, Inclusion, and Foresight
When faced with difficult decisions, Joel often asks himself whether he would be comfortable with this choice ten years from now. “In the past, there have been moments when I managed or responded to situations in ways that, with time and perspective, I wished I had handled differently. Reflecting on those experiences has shaped my approach to leadership. Today, I strive to make decisions my future self would be proud of – guided by integrity, self-awareness, and long-term perspective,” he reflects.
Joel believes that effective leadership must be rooted in an inclusive and collaborative approach that leverages the collective knowledge of the team and the organization. This style empowers individuals, builds trust, and strengthens accountability. It also fosters innovation and enables rapid, effective problem-solving while preventing silos and encouraging cross-department collaboration.
“In my experience, decisions made collaboratively are almost always stronger than those made in isolation. We work intentionally to make this mindset part of our culture at every level, and I consistently engage my executive team in major decisions to ensure diverse perspectives and shared ownership of outcomes,” he shares.
One idea about leadership in construction that Joel would like to change is the misconception that good leaders need to know everything. “In complex, technical environments such as steel erection, no single individual can possess all the answers,” he insists. “Effective leaders recognize knowledge gaps and intentionally create environments where collective intelligence can thrive, empowering teams to contribute their expertise and drive superior outcomes.”
Joel’s advice to young professionals who aspire to lead complex organizations is to lead by example, demonstrating humility, and taking full ownership of mistakes. Authenticity and a collaborative mindset are essential to fostering a culture of teamwork, as great achievements are rarely accomplished alone. He also encourages them to seek opportunities where others may hesitate. “Being bold is critical – if you do not pursue the opportunity, the chance for success is lost,” he remarks.
Conclusion
As a visionary leader in the construction industry, Joel Spalding hopes to be remembered as someone whose impact extended far beyond profitability. His goal is to leave behind a strong, financially sound, and sustainable company with a clear and inspiring vision for the future.
In addition to building and empowering an exceptional, high-performing team, driven, ambitious, and fully prepared to lead the company into its next chapter, Joel ultimately wants to create an organization that stands unmatched in the industry, defined not only by its success but by the legacy of its people and culture.
