EP 81: When Strength Becomes Heavy... with Dr. Ashley Smith

What if the most important thing we build in construction isn't the project, but the people building it?In this episode Barb Allen sits down with Sydne Jacques, a licensed civil engineer turned culture and retention expert who has worked with more than 700 construction teams, to talk about why creating strong teams requires the same intentionality we put into building successful projects.Sydne shares the leadership lesson that has stayed with her for more than 30 years and why she believes construction teams need to create "culture by design, not default".They also discuss how small changes in communication can build trust, why creating opportunities for personal connections matters, and how leaders can be more intentional about the impact they have on the people around them. Sydne also shares the inspiration behind her book, Build What Matters, and why the people we build along the way may be our greatest legacy.Build What Matters - Click for FREE copy of the Audio Book! CLICK HERE for a great Connection Question ListConnect with Sydne:WebsiteLinkedINInstagramLooking for a Construction Industry Speaker that has Real Construction Experience? Someone your audience can truly relate to? Check out my Keynotes at ConstructionBarb.com and let's start a conversation to ensure your next event gets rave reviews! [email protected]

What if construction’s workforce problem is actually a marketing problem?In this episode of Constructive Behaviors, Barb Allen sits down with Kate Glantz, CEO and co-founder of Move Over Bob, a magazine designed to attract young girls/women to the skilled trades, to talk about why so many young women never consider construction… and what the industry can do differently to change that.Kate shares her unconventional path to the skilled trades and why she believes construction needs to rethink both the message and the messenger when trying to attract the next generation.They also discuss how companies can better connect with young people, why construction needs to market the life and opportunities that come with these careers, and the work Move Over Bob is doing to help girls see themselves in the skilled trades.Connect with Kate & Move Over BobLearn more about Barb’s book, OneLadder to Leadership, available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook on Amazon.Looking for a Construction Industry Speaker that has Real Construction Experience? Someone your audience can truly relate to? Check out my Keynotes at ConstructionBarb.com and let's start a conversation to ensure your next event gets rave reviews! [email protected]

In this episode of *Constructive Behaviors*, Barb Allen sits down with Dr. Richard Bruce, Associate Professor of Construction Management at the University of Central Missouri.With experience in higher education, workforce development, and the construction industry, Richard brings a unique perspective to a conversation about the Sticky Rungs from Barb's book, OneLadder to Leadership.Together, Barb and Richard discuss how future construction leaders can begin practicing leadership before they have the title, from college student organizations and apprenticeships to early-career industry involvement. They also explore the signals leaders often use to judge readiness, why confidence and ambition can sometimes be misleading, and how humility, curiosity, collaboration, and even failure can be important indicators of future leadership potential.This episode is a reminder that leadership readiness does not magically appear with a promotion. It is developed through opportunity, feedback, experience, and support.If we want to make the Sticky Rungs less sticky, we have to get better at recognizing readiness in all the different ways it can show up.Connect with Dr. Bruce through LinkedIn or directly by email at [email protected] for a Construction Industry Speaker that has Real Construction Experience? Someone your audience can truly relate to? Check out my Keynotes at ConstructionBarb.com and let's start a conversation to ensure your next event gets rave reviews! [email protected]

In this episode of the Constructive Behaviors Podcast, Barb Allen sits down with Kelly Price, founder of Thrive HR, to explore the "Missing Rungs" from Barb's newly released book, OneLadder to Leadership. Together, they discuss how vague feedback, unclear expectations, and poor communication can unintentionally stall employee growth and advancement... and what both leaders and climbers can do to improve communication cultures inside organizations.In this episode:• Why vague feedback hurts growth • How onboarding impacts communication culture • Why employees often assume hard work should "speak for itself" • How leaders can create clearer advancement pathways • The importance of ownership from both leaders and climbers • Why communication must flow both up and down the ladder Memorable Quotes:• "Leaders are support staff." • "If you want to grow and develop, you have to own that." Connect with Kelly Price & Thrive HRFacebook l InstagramGrab YOUR copy of OneLadder to Leadership: Amazon / AudibleLooking for a Construction Industry Speaker that has Real Construction Experience? Someone your audience can truly relate to? Check out my Keynotes at ConstructionBarb.com and let's start a conversation to ensure your next event gets rave reviews! [email protected]

In this intentionally timed Mental Health Awareness Month episode, Barb welcomes Dr. Ashley Smith back to the Constructive Behaviors Podcast for a conversation around mental health, construction culture, and leadership… while simultaneously tying it to the Sticky and Slippery Rungs from Barb’s book, OneLadder to Leadership. This episode explores:• the mental load of constantly feeling like you have to prove yourself• chronic stress, burnout, and impression management• the pressure many people in construction feel to just “handle it”• unconscious expectations around toughness and emotional suppression• and how we can begin redefining strength, resilience, and mental health in the industryConnect/Follow Dr. Ashley:LinkedIn - YouTube - TikTok - Facebook - InstagramSubscribe to Dr. Ashley's Newsletter HEREDr. Ashley's Book: The Way I See ItGrab Barb’s Book: OneLadder to LeadershipLooking for a Construction Industry Speaker that has Real Construction Experience? Someone your audience can truly relate to? Check out my Keynotes at ConstructionBarb.com and let's start a conversation to ensure your next event gets rave reviews! [email protected]

What happens when a driven, ambitious woman who has spent her entire career climbing suddenly realizes she needs to stop long enough to breathe?In this episode, Barb sits down with construction industry leader, speaker, and business advisor Kelli Paskert for a conversation that starts with leadership ambition and career growth… and eventually lands on something many high performers struggle with: learning how to step away.Kelli shares her journey from corporate America to the construction industry, the bold decision to openly state her leadership ambitions early in her career, the resistance she encountered along the way, and the sponsors who helped pull her up the ladder. She also opens up about what happened when she finally walked away from a long-term executive role and why taking time between careers became one of the healthiest decisions she has ever made.Although this episode centers around the idea of "Take the Vacation," if you are familiar with Barb's book, OneLadder to Leadership, you will recognize several real-world examples of the Missing, Broken Sticky, & Slippery Rungs discussed throughout the book:• women communicating ambition and career goals• sponsorship and advocacy• leadership perception• confidence vs. arrogance• navigating leadership as women in predominantly male industries• and the importance of visibility during the climbThis conversation gives you the opportunity to hear what those ladder dynamics sound like in real life through Kelli's personal experiences and reflections. Whether you are climbing the ladder yourself, leading others, or simply trying to figure out how to build a successful career without losing yourself in the process, this episode delivers honest conversation, laughter, insight, and probably a few moments that hit closer to home than expected.Listen now and then... schedule the vacation!Connect with Kelli on LinkedInCheck out her websitePurchase Barb's book, OneLadder to LeadershipLooking for a Construction Industry Speaker that has Real Construction Experience? Someone your audience can truly relate to? Check out my Keynotes at ConstructionBarb.com and let's start a conversation to ensure your next event gets rave reviews! [email protected]

You may have heard about my new book, OneLadder to Leadership. Now here’s your chance to get a closer look inside!In this quick 15-minute episode, I walk you through the core concepts behind the book and why I wrote it.Whether you are working to move up or leading others who are, this episode will start to connect some dots.I’ll cover:What is actually keeping people from advancing, even when they are delivering resultsThe four types of “rungs” that create challenges on the leadership ladder.Real patterns I have seen across roles, from tradeswoman to executiveWhere climbers may be unknowingly holding themselves backWhere leaders may be unintentionally creating or reinforcing these challengesThis episode is a high-level overview designed to give you insight into the concepts inside the book and encourage you to take a deep dive into Oneladder.If this episode resonates, you can find OneLadder to Leadership on Amazon and Audible.Looking for a Construction Industry Speaker that has Real Construction Experience? Someone your audience can truly relate to? Check out my Keynotes at ConstructionBarb.com and let's start a conversation to ensure your next event gets rave reviews! [email protected]

In this episode of the Constructive Behaviors Podcast, I sit down with Kimberly Sauceda to talk about what it really takes to build strong relationships at work-and why those relationships are often the difference between teams that struggle and teams that thrive.Kimberly shares her journey from leading roles in major companies like Apple and Logitech to becoming an executive coach focused on helping leaders and teams create better connections and stronger outcomes.We dive into her "build the bridge" concept, what it means to create real connection instead of just going through the motions, and how small, intentional actions can completely shift the way teams work together.We also talk about:Why one person can start building the bridgeThe difference between transactional vs. relational interactionsHow expectations, alignment, and curiosity impact team dynamicsAnd how to repair relationships when things break downIf you've ever felt the tension of misalignment, poor communication, or just "not clicking" with someone at work, this episode will give you practical ways to approach those situations differently.Looking for a Construction Industry Speaker that has Real Construction Experience? Someone your audience can truly relate to? Check out my Keynotes at ConstructionBarb.com and let's start a conversation to ensure your next event gets rave reviews! [email protected]

In EP 77, I sit down with Erika Scherman, owner of MC Tool and Safety, to talk about her unexpected path into construction and what it means to run a business in this industry. We get into how ownership gives her a unique perspective on the products being put in front of customers every day, and the responsibility that comes with choosing what actually works in the field.We also talk about the evolution of PPE for women, why fit and functionality matter, and she shares some of the brands and products she's seen perform well for women in construction. Links to some of those are below!Radians Women’s T-shirtRadians Women’s two-tone vestPIP Women’s vest PIP Women’s two-tone vestPortwest Women’s JacketErgodyne General Purpose 7000Looking for a Construction Industry Speaker that has Real Construction Experience? Someone your audience can truly relate to? Check out my Keynotes at ConstructionBarb.com and let's start a conversation to ensure your next event gets rave reviews! [email protected]

In EP 76, I sit down with Shannon Seipel to talk about the power of relationship capital, what it is, how it's built, and why it matters more than most people realize.Shannon shares her unexpected path into the construction industry, how she built credibility from the ground up, and the role relationships played in shaping her career. We break down the difference between mentorship and sponsorship, why sponsors are critical to career growth, and how showing up, asking questions, and staying curious can create opportunities you never planned for.We also dive into what it looks like to pay it forward, recognizing potential in others, supporting the next generation, and using your own relationship capital to help others grow.If you've ever wondered why some people seem to have doors open for them, this conversation will give you a new perspective on what's really behind it.Looking for a Construction Industry Speaker that has Real Construction Experience? Someone your audience can truly relate to? Check out my Keynotes at ConstructionBarb.com and let's start a conversation to ensure your next event gets rave reviews! [email protected]