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Ambition Theory: Women in Construction

Ambition Theory: Women in Construction

By Andrea Janzen

The Ambition Theory Podcast focuses on strategies and thought leadership around creating a workplace where everyone is welcome and everybody can thrive and we’re not going to shy away from the difficult conversations.
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Reina, the first all-female condo development with Mara Nicolaou

Ambition Theory: Women in ConstructionOct 14, 2021

00:00
26:08
Life after the Great Resignation with Dr. Giovanna Brasfield

Life after the Great Resignation with Dr. Giovanna Brasfield

In this episode, Dr. Giovanna Brasfield (Popularly known as Dr. G), the CEO and Principal Consultant at Brasfield Associates, discusses her journey in the construction industry, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Dr. G is an award-winning diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) advocate and changemaker with over 18 years of experience in leadership consulting and DEI program development, training, education, and outreach for the construction industry and construction-related trades.

At Brassfield & Associates, she offers inclusive strategies for large infrastructure projects and supports employee resource groups with a keen focus on developing sustainable actions for employee engagement and retention. Dr. Brasfield shares her passion for construction and how her work integrates communities often overlooked, ensuring they have an equal voice in projects. 

The conversation delves into the importance of allyship, the evolution of DEI efforts from project-driven to organization-wide initiatives, and the critical role of leadership in fostering a culture of inclusion.  Her insights highlight the significance of listening tours, employee feedback, and strategic DEI planning in addressing the talent shortage and improving workplace culture.

Highlights

  • 00:00 Dr. Giovanna’s journey in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the construction industry.

  • 03:12 Focusing on the positive impact that the construction industry has on communities.

  • 09:08 Diversity, equity, and inclusion in large infrastructure projects and construction.

  • 14:52 Tackling the talent retention and shortage conundrum in the construction industry.

  • 28:21 The best ways to start and manage diverse employee resource groups.

  • 33:35 How the Great Resignation affected the construction industry and the labor market in general.

  • 37:05 Programs that organizations can implement to attract and retain talent.

Links

Resources Mentioned

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Feb 21, 202446:35
When You Take Action - Big Things Can Happen with Beth Tubbs

When You Take Action - Big Things Can Happen with Beth Tubbs

In this episode, Beth Tubbs, the Chief Fire Protection Engineer at ICC, shares her journey of growth, both personally and professionally, within the construction and engineering sectors. 

She delves into the significance of building codes for public safety and energy efficiency, her role in developing these codes, and how she finds purpose in her work. 

Beth also discusses the impact of attending an Ambition Theory workshop, which catalyzed her to take bold steps towards leadership within her organization and the Society of Fire Protection Engineers. 

Her story is a testament to the power of asking questions, seeking growth opportunities, and embracing change with confidence.

Tune into the episode to discover how Beth Tubbs navigated challenges, overcame self-doubt, and leveraged her expertise to ascend to new heights in her career, all while contributing significantly to the safety and efficiency of building standards.

Highlights

  • 00:00 Beth Tubbs’ distinguished career in fire and life safety in the built environment.
  • 01:49 What she loves about writing and working on building code.
  • 02:57 How an Ambition Theory workshop helped Beth advance in her career.
  • 09:39 The strategy she used to get her boss to support her in developing her leadership potential.
  • 15:49 Why it’s important to have a sense of purpose in your career.
  • 17:25 Navigating challenges at work and how teamwork helps.
  • 20:06 Tips for staying motivated as a leader.
  • 21:56 The experience she had being the President of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE).
  • 24:57 How you can build up your confidence as a leader.

Links

Connect on LinkedIn

Feb 09, 202426:05
Sponsorship In Action: Real-Life Success Stories with Kathryn Payne

Sponsorship In Action: Real-Life Success Stories with Kathryn Payne

In this episode, Kathryn Payne, a Project Executive with LeChase Construction, shares her inspiring journey in the construction sector. Kathryn fell in love with the field early on at Clemson University, and her passion for problem-solving and creating has driven her career.

Sponsors have played a crucial role in Kathryn's growth, facilitating opportunities for her and others. She believes in investing in and empowering future leaders through sponsorship.

During our conversation, Kathryn delves into the launch and impact of the Employee Resource Group for Women at LeChase. This group actively works towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment by addressing gender disparities in the workplace.

Kathryn highlights the benefits of sponsorship both for her role as a project executive and for her journey as a protegé. She shares personal stories of how sponsorship has positively influenced her own growth and helped her overcome challenges to get to where she is today. She also provides valuable insights on how businesses can leverage sponsorship. 

Kathryn emphasizes the importance of goal setting and curiosity in career development. She encourages individuals to explore new opportunities, take risks, and continuously seek growth.

Highlights

  • 00:00 Kathryn Payne's Construction Journey 

  • 00:24 The Role of Sponsorship in Kathryn's Career

  • 00:34 Launch and Impact of the Employee Resource Group for Women at LaChase Construction

  • 00:50 Personal Stories and Benefits of Sponsorship 

  • 01:08 Insights on Leveraging Sponsorship for Business Growth

  • 01:14 Importance of Goal Setting and Curiosity in Career Development 

Links: 

Connect on LinkedIn: 

Dec 14, 202333:51
Creating A Legacy For Women In Construction With Doreen Bartoldus

Creating A Legacy For Women In Construction With Doreen Bartoldus

Nov 30, 202352:34
Breaking The Glass Ceiling in Manufacturing with Kristin Graybill

Breaking The Glass Ceiling in Manufacturing with Kristin Graybill

Getting more women into leadership roles is important for every industry but especially for manufacturing. The sector lags behind others in terms of representation, particularly in the C-Suite. What does it take to attract women to the industrial space? What can companies do to retain these women? What guidance do current women leaders have for the next generation to improve their chances for a successful career in manufacturing? Kristin Graybill shares the results of the Manufacturers Alliance Research report called In Her Own Words: Breaking The Glass Ceiling Is Good For Business.  

Highlights 

  • The real story behind Rosie The Riveter 

  • How to be more intentional with your hiring and interview process

  • The return on investment of having a strong culture 

Links: 

Connect on LinkedIn: 

Special Thanks to Lucinda Dykens of Coastal Virtual Solutions for editing this episode.

Oct 19, 202329:45
Sponsorship in Action with Rachael Ferrera
Sep 21, 202333:24
How Women Improve Project Outcomes with Dr. Tim Taylor
Sep 07, 202342:38
Salary Is Not The Answer To Retaining The Best Talent 
Aug 24, 202317:43
From Mentorship to Sponsorship: How A Mindset Shift Created a More Inclusive Workplace
Aug 10, 202306:55
Group Coaching Vs. One-On-One: How To Decide Which Style Is Right For You Or Your Team Members
Jul 26, 202309:52
How To Motivate Your Employees With A Simple Question
Jul 13, 202308:54
How To Begin Implementing Sponsorship At Your Company
Jun 29, 202307:57
Why Sponsorship (Not Mentorship) is the Answer
Jun 15, 202306:49
Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter With Liz Wiseman
Jun 01, 202342:39
How Women Rise to Leadership in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industry with Dr. Paul Hickey
May 18, 202351:53
What Women Want: How to Build a Workplace Where Women Can Thrive with Tim Taylor

What Women Want: How to Build a Workplace Where Women Can Thrive with Tim Taylor

May 04, 202339:20
The Human Side Of Construction With Angelo Suntres
Apr 20, 202338:41
When Culture Is Your Strategy With Jerry Naranjo

When Culture Is Your Strategy With Jerry Naranjo

Apr 06, 202339:19
When The Safety Vest Fits With Kat Von Kamrath and Laura Beneteau
Mar 23, 202335:34
How To Attract And Retain Gen Y & Z With Kathryn Hart
Mar 09, 202348:25
Mothers In Construction With Tonia Rivers
Feb 23, 202346:20
How To Build and Lead an Unconventional Team With Marius Tawembe
Feb 09, 202331:03
Juno Jones: Supporting Gender Equity By Making Shoes That Fit
Jan 26, 202328:39
Building A Safety Culture With Myrna Layton And Chelcea Driscoll
Jan 12, 202326:10
What It’s Like To Be ‘The Only’ With Kathryn Coulter
Dec 29, 202233:47
How Men Can Be Better Allies For Women With Brad Johnson And David Smith
Dec 15, 202256:31
When Women Support Other Women

When Women Support Other Women

Dec 01, 202250:35
Part 3: How To Make Your Company's Culture More Inclusive. Steps That Individuals And Companies Can Take To Accelerate The Path To Leadership For Women.

Part 3: How To Make Your Company's Culture More Inclusive. Steps That Individuals And Companies Can Take To Accelerate The Path To Leadership For Women.

"I didn't believe it."

This is the feedback a male executive at a large construction company shared with us after attending an Ambition Theory workshop last March.

But, after asking just a few women he worked with, he quickly realized their experience aligned with what he learned in the presentation.

His company had invested heavily in recruiting and hiring women and developed a mentorship program and an employee resource group. However, women still weren't advancing at the same rate as men.

He finally understood why. The women's leadership experience was entirely different from that of men in the industry.

Listen to the audio recording of our live series from September 2022.

How Men And Women Can Create Opportunities Together

  • Part 1: How to shift from a transactional leadership style to a transformational approach and why this is a critical step to improve employee retention.
  • Part 2: Why sponsorship (not mentorship) is the answer to accelerating the path to leadership.
  • Part 3: How to make your company's culture more inclusive. Steps that individuals and companies can take to accelerate the path to leadership for women.

Links:

Connect on LinkedIn

Special Thanks to Lucinda Dykens of Coastal Virtual Solutions for editing this episode.

Nov 17, 202232:25
Part 2: Why Sponsorship (Not Mentorship) Is The Answer To Accelerating The Path To Leadership.

Part 2: Why Sponsorship (Not Mentorship) Is The Answer To Accelerating The Path To Leadership.

"I didn't believe it."

This is the feedback a male executive at a large construction company shared with us after attending an Ambition Theory workshop last March.

But, after asking just a few women he worked with, he quickly realized their experience aligned with what he learned in the presentation.

His company had invested heavily in recruiting and hiring women and developed a mentorship program and an employee resource group. However, women still weren't advancing at the same rate as men.

He finally understood why. The women's leadership experience was entirely different from that of men in the industry.

Listen to the audio recording of our live series from September 2022.

How Men And Women Can Create Opportunities Together

  • Part 1: How to shift from a transactional leadership style to a transformational approach and why this is a critical step to improve employee retention.
  • Part 2: Why sponsorship (not mentorship) is the answer to accelerating the path to leadership.
  • Part 3: How to make your company's culture more inclusive. Steps that individuals and companies can take to accelerate the path to leadership for women.

Links:

Connect on LinkedIn

Special Thanks to Lucinda Dykens of Coastal Virtual Solutions for editing this episode.

Nov 03, 202247:47
Part 1: How Men And Women Can Create Opportunities Together

Part 1: How Men And Women Can Create Opportunities Together

"I didn't believe it."

This is the feedback a male executive at a large construction company shared with us after attending an Ambition Theory workshop last March.

But, after asking just a few women he worked with, he quickly realized their experience aligned with what he learned in the presentation.

His company had invested heavily in recruiting and hiring women, and developed a mentorship program and an employee resource group, but women still weren't advancing at the same rate as men.

He finally understood why. The women's leadership experience was entirely different from that of men in the industry.

Listen to the audio recording of our live series from September 2022.

How Men And Women Can Create Opportunities Together

  • Part 1: How to shift from a transactional leadership style to a transformational approach and why this is a critical step to improve employee retention.
  • Part 2: Why sponsorship (not mentorship) is the answer to accelerating the path to leadership.
  • Part 3: How to make your company's culture more inclusive. Steps that individuals and companies can take to accelerate the path to leadership for women.

Links:

Connect on LinkedIn

Oct 20, 202237:45
Organizational Culture In The Construction Industry With Alexis Clark
Oct 06, 202227:34
When Women Run The Family Construction Business with Heather and Sarah Cruickshanks
Sep 22, 202235:44
 The Required Skills To Lead In The Construction Industry
Sep 08, 202239:43
How To Retain Top Talent In The Construction Industry with Susan McCutchan and Nadia Fratantonio

How To Retain Top Talent In The Construction Industry with Susan McCutchan and Nadia Fratantonio

The priority for most construction companies today is retention.  Susan McCutchan and Nadia Fratantonio from Pomerleau Construction talked about how the transformational approach to leadership is an extremely effective way to attract and retain top talent. It encourages people to be authentic at work, and it allows you to uncover talents on your team. It makes people want to work with you and stay at the company.

Highlights:

  • How to leverage people's unconventional talents to bring more value to your team.
  • Why cultural fit is more important than technical skills if you want to attract and retain the best talent.
  • How to be more authentic at work and encourage your team to do the same.
  • How to build up your team's technical skills to ensure you can deliver with excellence.

Links:

Connect on LinkedIn

Aug 25, 202236:24
Why Women’s Leadership Initiatives Should Start At The Top With Brad Kohl
Jul 28, 202229:03
Transformational leadership leads to growth in the construction industry
Jul 14, 202247:08
Using your voice and overcoming imposter syndrome with Lisa Fougere and Laura Hynes
Jun 16, 202246:25
The secret to exponential career growth in the construction industry with Jennifer Cross
Jun 02, 202244:07
How To Engineer Your Success As A Mother With Kinia Romanowska

How To Engineer Your Success As A Mother With Kinia Romanowska

Kinia Romanowska is the founder of Pros and Babes. As a strategic advisor to moms in competitive, corporate, high-stress, and STEM careers, Kinia helps people navigate the pressures of growing successful careers and families.

Highlights:

● What matrescence is and how it impacts careers, especially in construction.

● How we can harness guilt to serve career decisions.

● What successful women decide before taking leave so that their careers do not stall.

● Why companies should look to integrate personal and professional resources.

Links:

● Free Report: Imposter Syndrome – If You’re a Woman in Construction it’s Not All in Your Head http://ambitiontheory.ca/imposter/

● Watch the Webinar: Gold Seal Certification And Women in Construction https://ambitiontheory.ca/gold-seal-cert/

● Pros&Babes https://prosandbabes.com/ 

● Pros&Babes https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSUURkUljsRWJKqvkCns4bA

Connect on LinkedIn

● Ambition Theory https://www.linkedin.com/company/ambition-theory/

● Andrea Janzen https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreajanzen/

Kinia Romanowska linkedin.com/in/kinia-romanowska

Apr 14, 202250:45
How to make decisions in a dual career family
Mar 31, 202242:39
Building Trust in the Construction Industry

Building Trust in the Construction Industry

Natalie Doyle Oldfield is on a mission to help business owners and leaders grow their companies by building trusting relationships with customers and colleagues.

Natalie works with leaders, project managers, technical professionals to build relationships that solve problems, build businesses, and earn higher revenues. Natalie’s book: The Power of Trust, How Companies Build, Manage, and Protect It helps leaders understand the fundamentals of building relational skills. In addition, Natalie is the founder of Success Through Trust, an education and consulting company for business owners.

Highlights:

● How to gauge trust levels

● What to do during uncertainty and supply chain disruptions

● Why technical excellence may not indicate leadership readiness

● When mistakes build engagement and relationships

Links:

● Business Survey Results for Profitability: https://immediac.blob.core.windows.net/successthroughtrust/pdf/SuccessThroughTrustNewsReleaseBusinessSurveyResultsAreInFeb17,2021.pdf

What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful by Marshall Goldsmith https://marshallgoldsmith.com/product/book-2/

● Free Report: Imposter Syndrome, If you’re a Woman in Construction it’s Not All in Your Head http://ambitiontheory.ca/imposter/

● Watch the Webinar: Gold Seal Certification And Women in Construction https://ambitiontheory.ca/gold-seal-cert/

Connect on LinkedIn

● Ambition Theory https://www.linkedin.com/company/ambition-theory/

● Andrea Janzen https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreajanzen/

● Natalie Doyle Oldfield linkedin.com/in/nataliedoyleoldfield

Mar 17, 202239:51
Women Have What The Construction Industry Needs

Women Have What The Construction Industry Needs

Jennifer Sproul is President of the Maryland Center for Construction Education and Innovation(MCCEI). She sees women as the answer to the construction industry’s need for talent, and she is working to connect the industry with educational, governmental, and nonprofit agencies. Her vision is to create an abundant pipeline of diverse people eager to work in the construction industry.

Highlights:

● How to know when to take the next right step

● What terror tells us

● How networking expands our influence exponentially

● Why coaching is transformative

Links:

● Free Report: Imposter Syndrome, If you’re a Woman in Construction it’s Not All in Your Head http://ambitiontheory.ca/imposter/

● Watch the Webinar: Gold Seal Certification And Women in Construction https://ambitiontheory.ca/gold-seal-cert/

● Maryland Center for Construction Education & Innovation https://mccei.org/

● National Association for Women in Construction https://www.nawic.org/

Connect on LinkedIn

● Ambition Theory https://www.linkedin.com/company/ambition-theory/

● Andrea Janzen https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreajanzen/

● Jennifer Sproul linkedin.com/in/jennifersproul1

Mar 03, 202231:52
Career Diversity Key to Addressing Talent Shortage

Career Diversity Key to Addressing Talent Shortage

Feb 17, 202250:27
Construction is beautiful with Nadine Speirs
Feb 03, 202243:54
How to be your authentic self in the construction industry with Sandra Benson
Jan 20, 202245:39
Transformational Leadership Part 2 : Mentorship vs. Sponsorship
Dec 23, 202122:57
Transformational Leadership Part 1: Why the industry needs this skillset
Dec 09, 202123:05
From Admin to CEO: A Journey Through Construction
Nov 25, 202142:12
How men are learning to be allies for women in construction
Nov 11, 202101:02:07
Empowering contractors to make more money with Ashley Kielbratowski
Oct 28, 202128:30