“There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”
Madeleine Albright’s powerful words have always struck a chord with me, but they recently took on new significance. I was called names like “whore” and “attention seeker” on LinkedIn for pointing out how society often values appearance over intelligence. It was a tough reminder of the challenges women face, especially in male-dominated fields like construction.
It’s tough enough to break into the construction industry as a woman. We shouldn't have to worry about tearing each other down on top of that. We need to stand together, supporting each other just as much as we want men to support us. Encouraging diversity through kindness, compassion, and solid business sense isn’t just the right thing to do—it makes good business sense, too. Unity in construction matters.
Breaking the Cycle of Female Rivalry
Female rivalry is a real issue. Why? Because of the perception that there are limited opportunities for women, which leads to competition instead of collaboration. In construction, where women are often a minority, this rivalry can feel even more intense. But we have to break this cycle. We need to shift from seeing each other as competition to recognising that we can all succeed together.
The Power of Empathy and Unity in Construction
Empathy and unity are key to creating a supportive environment. When we truly understand and respect each other’s experiences, we build a foundation of trust.
Here’s how we can bring this to life in the construction industry:
Mentorship Programmes: Let’s set up mentorship programmes where seasoned pros guide and support newcomers. Mentors can share their insights, offer advice, and provide a shoulder to lean on, helping others navigate the challenges of the industry.
Peer Support Groups: Creating peer support groups gives us a safe space to share our experiences, challenges, and successes. It helps foster a sense of community and belonging, reducing feelings of isolation and competition.
Celebrating Achievements: Let’s make a habit of celebrating each other’s successes. Publicly recognising the achievements of women in our industry boosts morale and inspires others. It shows that women can and do thrive in construction, encouraging others to reach for their goals.
Diversity and Inclusion: Good for Business
Promoting diversity and inclusion isn’t just about fairness; it’s also smart business. Diverse teams are more innovative and make better decisions. In construction, where problem-solving is key, diversity drives success.
Here’s how we can make our industry more inclusive:
Recruitment and Retention: Actively recruiting women and supporting their career growth builds a more diverse workforce. This includes offering flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities, and policies that support work-life balance. It doesn't mean filling a quota!
Inclusive Leadership: Leaders must champion diversity and inclusion, not just through policies but by modelling inclusive behaviour—listening to diverse perspectives and addressing biases.
Training and Education: Training on unconscious bias and cultural competency helps create an inclusive workplace. Educating everyone about the value of diversity ensures lasting change.
Building a Culture of Kindness
Kindness should be at the core of our workplace culture. It means treating everyone with respect, offering help when needed, and making sure everyone feels valued. In construction, kindness can transform the work environment, boosting job satisfaction and productivity.
To cultivate kindness:
Lead by Example: Leaders should model kind behaviour, showing that it’s a valued trait in our industry. This sets the tone for everyone else.
Encourage Collaboration: Promote teamwork and collaboration over competition. This can be done through team-building activities, collaborative projects, and creating opportunities for people to work together.
Recognise and Reward Kindness: Acknowledge acts of kindness and reward those who contribute to a positive work environment. This can be through formal recognition programs or simple gestures of appreciation.
Combining Kindness with Business Sense
While kindness and compassion are crucial, we also need to balance them with strong business sense. Supporting each other should enhance business performance, not hinder it.
Here’s how we can combine the two:
Strategic Mentorship: Design mentorship programs that align with business goals, ensuring mentees receive guidance that helps them contribute effectively. This includes technical training, leadership development, and career planning.
Performance Metrics: Establish clear performance metrics that value diversity and inclusion. Metrics might include diversity in leadership roles, employee satisfaction scores, and retention rates.
Continuous Improvement: Regularly assess and refine diversity and inclusion initiatives to ensure they remain effective and aligned with business objectives.
Moving Forward Together
In the end, the construction industry—and any industry—thrives when we support each other. By breaking the cycle of rivalry and fostering a culture of empathy, unity, and smart business practices, we can create a more inclusive and successful environment.
Let’s take Madeleine Albright’s words to heart and commit to supporting each other with unwavering kindness and business savvy. Together, we can revolutionise the construction industry, making it a place where everyone—men and women—can thrive.
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