The Importance of Women in Construction Leadership
Women have historically been underrepresented in construction. However, embracing the presence and contributions of women in leadership can be key to fostering innovation and boosting employee morale.
Thankfully, change is afoot. Recently, the culture of construction has evolved significantly, creating more opportunities and support for all employees. This positive and dynamic environment empowers women, offering them the respect and encouragement that female trailblazers once dreamed of.
For the trajectory to continue its upward trend, more women need to rise as leaders in the construction industry. While some have encountered challenges like the glass ceiling, which hinders their progression to executive positions, many are still breaking through these barriers.
This should inspire ambitious women to enter the field with determination, shattering stereotypes and showcasing the invaluable role women can play in the broader scope of construction. Below, we reveal what it takes to encourage and promote professional women in construction.
The Underrepresentation of Women in Construction Leadership
Through history, women have consistently been underrepresented in both construction leadership and the construction industry in general. Women struggled to gain a foothold even as the field expanded significantly during the 20th century. For many years, construction was viewed primarily as a ‘masculine’ profession.
Things started to change in the 2000s, when women began taking on more managerial roles. By 2010, there were a reported 29,000 female construction managers in the United States. This was a time in which there were a total 477,000 construction managers employed nationwide.
As of 2022, 1.3 million women worked in the U.S. construction field, making up nearly 11 percent of the construction workforce. This marks a substantial increase in female representation compared to a decade ago, and there is still great potential for further progress.
The Benefits of Women in Construction Jobs
Women bring numerous essential qualities to the construction industry, including the opportunity to develop a more diverse and well-rounded workforce.
While there is still room for progress, early improvements highlight key benefits, making a compelling case for promoting women in construction, particularly in leadership roles.
Innovation and Diverse Perspectives
Because women’s experiences differ from their male counterparts, they offer unique and valuable perspectives that might otherwise never be uncovered. Teams that include female leaders may brainstorm and experiment with a wider range of strategies and solutions, rather than sticking with the status quo. Their insights can contribute greatly to risk management, as they may have a better grasp of challenges or pitfalls that others neglect to address.
As more women join the construction workforce, those who already hold key positions will feel more engaged and confident as they contribute their own unique ideas. This is already evident based on the many forward-thinking women who have made groundbreaking contributions in recent years.
The ultimate example is RENCO’s cutting-edge building system, which harnesses the hidden power of LEGOs. Sparked by leaders Karlie Fike, Lisa Hamilton, and many others from the contractor Coastal Construction, this breakthrough has delivered a major paradigm shift that promises to change how we view construction at large.
Stronger Collaboration and Communication
Employers widely regard female employees as strong communicators and collaborators, and a wealth of data backs this perspective. Leadership Circle’s Chief Learning Officer Cindy Adams explains, “Female leaders show up in a noticeably different way than male leaders in terms of building caring connections, mentoring and developing others, and exhibiting concern for the community.”
These efforts to boost communication and build strong relationships can have significant implications for construction teams along with ripple effects that make a difference across the entire sector. Communication style determines how project objectives and organizational visions are conveyed, as well as whether team members feel supported and empowered. Through effective communication, female leaders ensure that stakeholders grasp important project details and that team members work together to complete projects on time and under budget.
Expanding the Talent Pool
Amid labor shortages, employers are eager to expand talent pools so they can attract and hire the best in the business. As more women enter the field, these talent pools could see rapid growth, ensuring that the most promising professionals are hired for the specific roles that best reflect their interests and competencies. This could also make organizations more agile and adaptable, as they can draw on a broader range of skills and perspectives to help resolve emerging challenges or embrace new opportunities.
Role Models and Mentorship
Many accomplished women serve as powerful role models in construction leadership, and there is consistently a strong need for additional female mentors. A few inspiring women can set the stage for more women to enter the construction field and mentor future generations.
Organizations Promoting Women in Construction
Some organizations are currently taking active steps to remove barriers and help women ascend into the construction sector’s most influential roles. This support takes numerous forms. Examples include organizations that offer training and others that provide economic support through scholarships and grants. Building a robust professional network, which includes inspiring women in the field, is also crucial.
The Role of NAWIC
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) offers guidance and camaraderie for women who work in the construction industry. This influential organization is open to all women in construction jobs, with 118 chapters providing opportunities to connect with local leaders.
The National Association of Women in Construction also provides educational materials, aimed at helping women advance in their construction career paths. The organization’s annual conference brings together the field’s most influential individuals to discuss trends and opportunities in construction.
Other Initiatives
In addition to exciting initiatives from NAWIC, a range of other organizations and individuals are committed to expanding representation throughout the construction field. Opportunities worth examining include:
- Local Trade Groups and Apprenticeship Programs. A number of unions and trade groups celebrate female members. In Minnesota, for example, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 Women’s Committee celebrates Women in Construction Week and provides training and maternity benefits.
- Corporate Diversity Initiatives. Today’s top construction employers have expressed a clear commitment to supporting female employees through programs, policies, and initiatives. For instance, Bechtel maintains a Diversity Advisory Board, plus a Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Action Plan that aims to “build a culture of belonging.”
- Industry-Specific Scholarships and Awards. Several women who currently work in construction (or aspire to enter this field) enjoy access to exciting scholarship opportunities. These can help women pursue graduate-level education or other forms of leadership training. For example, NAWIC provides awards through the Founders’ Scholarship Foundation (NFSF), with amounts ranging from $500 to $2,500.
- Online Communities and Resources. Online forums offer valuable opportunities for women in construction to connect and share their experiences. On Facebook, professionals look to the Women in Construction group to provide a powerful sense of camaraderie. Boasting more than 95,000 members, this group encourages women to share their challenges and celebrate their successes. On YouTube, several creators share day-in-the-life videos, which offer a glimpse behind the veil to reveal what working in construction is really like. Podcasts provide additional insight; ambitious professionals will definitely want to check out the Women in Construction Leadership podcast.
Strategies for Change
Change is apparent in the construction industry, with women already seeing more leadership opportunities than a few years ago. To accelerate this pace, proactive strategies can make the field even more welcoming for female leaders.
Inclusive Leadership Training
Leadership training takes various forms, but Dar Mayweather, PhD of Doing the Good Work explains that today’s leadership training programs and initiatives need to boost consciousness and curiosity so that leaders are aware of different team members’ cultural identities and distinct strengths. It may also drive them to make concrete changes in how they relate to team members from all walks of life. Training initiatives should be accompanied by leaders who implement clear policies and procedures that set the standard for respectful work environments.
Proactive Sponsorship
Mentorship and training provide women with the tools to advance in the construction industry, helping them overcome long-standing barriers. This is where proactive sponsorship comes into play, such as actively identifying potential leaders and giving them opportunities to contribute to decision-making initiatives. Sponsorship can also involve financial opportunities like scholarships that encourage women in construction to pursue high-level training along with elite credentials.
Family-Friendly Policies
Women in many industries often face challenges in advancing their careers when they start families or take on caregiving roles. Organizations can support them by offering family-friendly policies, such as paid parental leave, sick leave, lactation breaks, and childcare benefits.
Celebrating Women’s Success
Many success stories remind aspiring leaders that there is undoubtedly a place for professional women in construction. Patricia Zugibe, for instance, is the proud CEO of Holt Construction and is committed to “cultivating a diverse family culture with an emphasis on community involvement.”
Meanwhile, Jennifer Dungan of Arcoco has overcome misconceptions in construction and software development, using her diverse skills and HR expertise to tailor Arcoco’s solutions to the construction sector’s needs.
Inspire Change in Construction With a Degree From Texas A&M
Do you have a strong desire to drive change in the quickly evolving field of construction? The right degree can equip you with valuable leadership skills, along with a well-rounded professional network and a thorough understanding of the field’s most cutting-edge trends, tools, and technologies.
As you plan your future in construction, look to Texas A&M for guidance. Our online Master of Science in Construction Management provides immersive learning opportunities and a strong overview of project management, cost estimating, construction scheduling, and more. Reach out and learn more today.
