In a construction industry that is evolving faster than ever and facing critical shortages in experienced leadership, veteran superintendent and leadership expert Fred Cook delivers the guidebook the field has been waiting for: Legacy Built in Steel-Toes: Raising the Next Generation of Superintendents.
This powerful new book follows on the heels of Cook’s widely praised debut, Hard Hat Leadership, and takes jobsite leadership to the next level. Where his first book focused on earning respect and leading from the front, Legacy Built in Steel-Toes shifts the conversation toward impact, mentorship, and the power of legacy. Scheduled for publication soon, this second volume in a three-part series is already making waves among construction professionals and leadership trainers.
In Legacy Built in Steel-Toes, Cook distills over 20 years of real-world experience into an actionable, heartfelt playbook for construction leaders who want to do more than run great jobs—they want to grow great people. With a voice that is honest, practical, and deeply grounded in the trades, Cook challenges veteran superintendents and up-and-coming leaders alike to rethink what true leadership means. At its core, this book is about building bridges between generations, and turning today’s experienced builders into tomorrow’s mentors.
More Than a Leadership Book — A Call to Action
In an industry facing a generational skills gap, Legacy Built in Steel-Toes arrives as both a timely solution and an urgent call to action. Construction is not just about steel, concrete, and deadlines, it’s about people. And those people need leaders who are willing to do the hard, slow, deliberate work of passing down knowledge, empowering others, and investing in long-term success.
Fred writes:
“I’ve seen what happens when leaders invest in their people. It doesn’t just make the job go smoother, it changes lives. That’s the legacy we should be chasing.”
Through stories from mega-projects, mission-critical builds, and hard-earned moments in the field, Cook walks readers through the tangible steps of building a leadership pipeline within their crews. He shares the mindsets, habits, and teachable moments that turn foremen into superintendents and laborers into leaders.
What Makes This Book Different
Unlike generic business leadership books that speak in abstract theories, Legacy Built in Steel-Toes is as rugged and real as the men and women it’s written for. What sets this book apart is its deeply personal and field-driven perspective. Cook doesn’t preach from a podium, he teaches from the mud, from behind the trailer desk, and from years spent watching and guiding crews under high-pressure conditions.
Key features include:
- Mentorship-Centered Framework – Practical strategies for identifying, training, and empowering emerging leaders within your team.
- Authentic Voice – Written in Fred Cook’s no-fluff, no-sugar-coating tone that resonates with field pros and earns their respect.
- Legacy-Building Exercises – End-of-chapter “Mentorship Moments” challenge readers to reflect and take meaningful action.
- Succession Planning Tools – Ideal for companies and organizations looking to promote from within and preserve institutional knowledge.
- Perfect for Crew Talks and Company Trainings – Can be used as part of weekly leadership meetings or training programs.
- Part of a Leadership Trilogy – Follows Hard Hat Leadership and leads into Earned, Not Given, offering a complete leadership development arc.
Who This Book is For
Fred Cook wrote Legacy Built in Steel-Toes for the people who keep the jobsite moving: construction superintendents, foremen, senior tradespeople, and project leaders who are ready to pass down their hard-earned wisdom. It’s especially valuable for seasoned professionals who’ve earned their stripes and now feel the pull to give back. If you’ve ever had a younger crew member ask you for advice or if you’ve ever wondered how to leave a lasting impression that extends beyond a single job, this book is for you.
It’s also a must-read for safety managers, training professionals, and anyone working on workforce development within the trades. As part of a broader mission to raise the bar in the field, Cook’s company, OCS, LLC, is using this book as a foundation for leadership trainings and culture-building programs nationwide.
Key Themes and Takeaways
At its core, Legacy Built in Steel-Toes is about creating impact that outlives the job. The book challenges leaders to ask themselves not just what they’ve built, but who they’ve built. Topics explored in depth include:
- Mentorship in the Trades – How to coach rising talent, instill confidence, and build leadership at every level.
- Transferring Wisdom Without Ego – Strategies to teach through action, not lectures, and foster a culture of continuous learning.
- Legacy Leadership – Defining values, leading with purpose, and creating ripple effects that last beyond your tenure.
- Accountability Through Development – How to help team members own their roles and grow into more responsibility.
- Bridge Building Across Generations – Closing the cultural and communication gap between older leaders and the new workforce.
- Leading with Heart – Finding the balance between being tough and being human—earning respect through integrity and care.
The Author’s Journey: From Laborer to Leader
Fred Cook is not just a superintendent, he’s a builder of people. With over two decades of experience leading high-stakes projects across residential, commercial, and mission-critical sectors, Cook has made his name not just through what he’s built, but through who he’s built.
From humble beginnings “swinging a hammer” to managing complex, multi-billion-dollar infrastructure, Cook has lived every chapter of the construction life. His career path is paved with mistakes, breakthroughs, and moments of doubt and that’s exactly what makes his story so relatable. Through it all, he’s remained committed to one mission: leave the industry better than he found it.
In his words: “What I’m most proud of isn’t a budget or a blueprint, it’s the people I’ve helped develop. That’s my real legacy.”
Fred is the founder of OCS, LLC, a company dedicated to reshaping jobsite culture by developing better leaders, one project at a time. With a growing platform, he now speaks, trains, and writes for construction professionals across the country, championing a leadership style rooted in heart, discipline, and legacy.
Early Praise and Industry Buzz
Though Legacy Built in Steel-Toes is still in its pre-release phase, early readers, including veteran superintendents and workforce development leaders are already calling it a “game-changer.” Among the first pieces of feedback:
- “A wake-up call for the old guard. If you’re not mentoring, you’re not leading.”
- “This is the book I wish I had when I first made superintendent. It puts into words what we’ve all tried to do.”
- “Essential reading for anyone who wants to leave a mark, not just a footprint.”
Cook is actively gathering endorsements and feedback from respected voices across the construction world and anticipates the book will quickly become a go-to resource for team development across the trades.
Conclusion: Building a Future That Lasts
As the second installment in a transformative trilogy, Legacy Built in Steel-Toes doesn’t just raise the bar, it redraws the blueprint of what leadership in construction can look like. In a time when the trades need strong, wise, and intentional leaders more than ever, this book offers something rare: a roadmap to relevance, respect, and real impact.
Whether you’re a leader with 30 years on the jobsite or a rising foreman eager to learn, this book challenges you to do more than build projects, build people. Because the only legacy that matters is the one you leave behind in others.
For More Information, Review Copies, or Speaking Requests:
Contact Fred Cook
Email: fredcook114@gmail.com
Connect on LinkedIn | OCS, LLC
Author of Hard Hat Leadership, Legacy Built in Steel-Toes, and Earned, Not Given
Legacy Built in Steel-Toes —Building leaders who build the future.
