Written by Sue Dyer, Founder, IPI 

In an era marked by rapidly shifting dynamics, construction leaders must adapt to evolving collaboration practices or risk falling behind. As of 2025, five key trends underscore why intentional partnering and trust-building are more critical than ever and why joining the International Partnering Institute (IPI) is the strategic advantage to navigate these changes. 

1. Trust Erosion Intensifies: The Edelman Context 
Between 2022 and 2025, the Edelman Trust Barometer documented a deepening cycle of distrust that has profound implications for construction teams. In 2022, the report revealed a “vicious cycle of distrust” driven by diminishing faith in government and media, as misinformation and polarization took hold globally edelman.com. By 2025, Edelman highlighted a “crisis of grievance,” noting that six in ten respondents felt institutions, including government and business, served narrow interests at the expense of regular people. Globally, the overall Trust Index stagnated at 58, with government distrusted in 17 of 28 countries measured, an alarming sign for project leaders striving to unify stakeholders. In this environment, IPI’s Project Leader Certification equips practitioners with proven techniques to counteract skepticism, foster transparency, and cultivate a shared sense of purpose. 

2. Hybrid Work Models Demand Agile Coordination 
By mid-2025, over 60 percent of office-based construction staff operate under hybrid schedules, while field crews rely on mobile connectivity for real-time updates. Maintaining alignment across dispersed teams requires structured processes, virtual stand-ups, cloud-based document controls, and periodic on-site “touch points” to reinforce accountability. IPI’s partnering framework offers ready-to-use templates and best practices for integrating remote workflows with in-person collaboration, ensuring that dispersed teams converge around common goals. 

3. AI-Enabled Field Intelligence Fuels Proactive Partnering 
Artificial intelligence tools have matured from novel pilot programs to everyday decision-support systems. Real-time safety analytics, productivity dashboards, and materials-logistics forecasting are now accessible via smartphone apps and wearables. Yet data alone does not cement partnership, it’s how leaders interpret insights, communicate implications, and align all parties around corrective actions. IPI’s training includes guidance on leveraging emerging technologies to anticipate conflicts, galvanize stakeholders, and keep communication channels open, merging data-driven decision-making with human-centric partnering. 

4. Climate Resilience and Supply Chain Transparency Accelerate Collaboration 
Extreme weather events, from late 2024 floods in the Southeast to early 2025 wildfires in the West, have underscored supply chain fragility and regulatory scrutiny. Successful partners now prioritize sustainable materials, transparent procurement, and joint risk assessments that share both accountability and reward. By adopting collaborative contract structures promoted by IPI, teams can innovate around climate-resilient design, preempt disruptions, and deliver projects that satisfy owners, regulators, and communities alike. 

5. Workforce Evolution: Diversity, Upskilling, and Well-Being 
The nationwide construction labor gap remains acute, with over 650,000 open roles reported in early 2025. However, more women, Gen Z professionals, and digital natives are entering the field. Employers who foster inclusive cultures, invest in upskilling, and embed mental health support experience higher retention rates. IPI’s community provides mentoring circles and leadership cohorts designed to help project leaders develop empathy, emotional intelligence, and strategies for harnessing diverse strengths, turning workforce challenges into competitive advantage.