64 | Stop Letting Power Imbalances Undermine Your Team

Today marks the final episode of the Lead with Trust podcast in 2023. In this episode, Sue reflects on a year dedicated to empowering women in construction. With over forty years of experience in the field, she shares her unique journey as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, beginning in the early 1980s, a time when career opportunities for women were limited and societal norms were markedly different. Sue recounts the challenges she faced, including the struggle to gain respect and acceptance in construction. Her experiences, from being the only woman in the room to confronting gender biases, reveal some of the significant cultural shifts that have occurred over the decades.Sue delves into her role in negotiating with unions, highlighting key strategies that helped her succeed in a tough environment. She emphasizes the power of setting the agenda and controlling the narrative, which earned her the nickname "the Snake Lady" for achieving what seemed impossible. By taking a long-term view and focusing on the industry's collective needs, she was able to negotiate agreements beneficial to all parties involved. Sue also underscores the industry's inclusive nature, welcoming all who are willing to work hard, regardless of gender or background. This sentiment is a testament to the progress made over the years.Join Sue for this fascinating discussion!If you have any questions or suggestions for Sue, feel free to reach out via email.Enjoy!What You’ll Learn in this Show:The societal and professional obstacles women face in traditionally male-dominated fields.Sue's innovative approach to union negotiations and how setting the agenda can control the outcome.How taking a long view in business negotiations and planning can lead to sustainable success.The construction industry's evolution towards accepting diverse talents, irrespective of gender or background.And so much more...Resources:International Partnering InstituteIPI Project Leader CertificationJoin the International Partnering InstituteSue's Email

Today's episode of The Lead With Trust Show marks the conclusion of the Bring Women into Construction series, and this time Sue chats with Emily Cohen, the Executive Vice President of United Contractors, an Association representing hundreds of union-signatory construction firms across California. She is the founder of EHC Content, a communications consulting firm, and a Senate appointee to California’s High-Speed Rail Board of Directors. In the community, Emily serves on the Board of Trustees for the GLIDE Foundation and the Advisory Board for Old Skool Cafe.During the episode, Sue and Emily discuss the importance of incorporating more storytelling and marketing in the industry to encourage and nurture diversity. They look at the culture shift that needs to happen, and the embedded stereotypes that must be challenged, in order to help bring more women into the industry.They also discuss the reasons why the 'old boys club' is simply no longer viable as a recruiting tool. When the trades neglect to recruit women, they are severely limiting the talent pool. Join Sue and Emily for this fascinating discussion.If you have any questions or suggestions for Sue, feel free to reach out via email. [email protected]!What You’ll Learn in this Show:The 10 biggest lessons learned from the Bring Women into Construction series.The importance of bringing your ingenuity to the construction industry.The power of mentoring and how it benefits all parts of the industryAnd so much more...Resources:Emily's LinkedInUnited Contractors AssociationThe Trusted Leader CourseLead with Trust NewsletterSue's Email

Have you ever thought about a woman's evolving role in the industry of construction?Are you curious about how trust, culture, and diversity can reshape this male-dominated sector?In this inspiring podcast episode, we are going to explore the transformation of the construction industry through the experiences and insights of Sue, a seasoned professional in the construction field. Discover how women are making a significant impact, not just in construction but in leadership positions, and how trust plays a pivotal role in this evolution.Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn in this episode:-The pivotal role of trust in shaping the construction industry's future.-Insights into fostering a culture of inclusivity and collaboration.-The unique perspectives and innovation that women bring to construction.It's time to embrace new opportunities and narratives women can make in construction.Enjoy listening!What You Will Learn In The Show:Women’s role in the construction industry: Women are pivotal in revolutionizing the construction industry's culture and practices.Trust In Construction: Building trust is paramount for success in construction, both within teams and organizations.Importance Of Communication: Effective communication is the cornerstone of a smooth leadership transition within construction companies.Pay Equity Issues: Solving pay equity issues requires a comprehensive analysis and strategic action plan.Women’s perspectives in construction: Women bring diverse perspectives to construction, driving innovation and creativity.Construction Industry Marketing: Marketing the industry and its opportunities is crucial to attracting diverse talent, debunking stereotypes, and showcasing appeal.The Value Of Personal Stories: Sharing personal experiences and stories can inspire others to explore construction careers.Creating Elevator Pitches: A concise elevator pitch about the industry can ignite interest in potential newcomers.Resources:The Trusted Leader CourseLead with Trust NewsletterSue's Email: [email protected]

In today's episode of The Lead With Trust Show, Sue chats with Meg-Anne Pryor, Apprenticeship Coordinator and Operating Engineer with the International Union of Operating Engineers. Meg-Anne grew up in the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco and worked there as an apprentice and as a journeywoman. After a friend told her about CityBuild, she joined the pre-apprenticeship training program and then got placed into the Operators trade.During the episode, Sue and Meg-Anne discuss The biggest barriers for women in the industry, primarily difficulties finding childcare. Meg-Anne believes that, because women are predominantly the caregivers, and when childcare is not available, they have to take care of their children, which prevents them from  being breadwinners.She offers insights on the challenges of being a woman in the industry. The need for respect, as well as the dangers of having nails, lashes and hair, things getting caught in machines and pinch points.Meg-Anne also offers advice for women looking to enter the trades: don't don't be afraid, go after it. She also suggests that contractors and employers that wish to attract women to their workforce need to consider offering incentives.Join Sue and Meg-Anne for this fascinating discussion!If you have any questions or suggestions for Sue, feel free to reach out via email.Enjoy!What You’ll Learn in this Show:How to get started with an apprenticeship program in the industry.The old (and tired) belief that women can't do the job.Being the first African-American female apprenticeship coordinator.And so much more...Resources:Operating Engineers Local 3City Build San FranciscoThe Trusted Leader CourseLead with Trust NewsletterSue's Email: [email protected]’s email: [email protected]

Today's episode of The Lead With Trust Show marks another part of the Bring Women into Construction series, and this time Sue chats with Kellie Lee, a construction technology veteran who has worked in the industry for over a decade. She spent nearly six years at part of the team that worked to grow Procore Technologies, a SaaS company that connects people, applications, and devices in one central hub, as well as several construction technology start-ups. Along with her experience and knowledge, she also has a passion for making construction a viable career path for women - starting with children.During the episode, Sue and Kellie discuss her passion for diversity and inclusion in the industry, and how that really began with her work at Procore, alongside her friend and co-worker, Danielle Edberg.They look at the book Kellie and her husband are writing, which will tell the stories of countless incredible and powerful women on job sites who built the world that people interact with every day.They also discuss the biggest barriers for women entering the construction industry, as well as Kellie's belief that those barriers are formed all the way in childhood, when, as parents, we take away a young girl's ability to be brave.Join Sue and Kellie for this fascinating discussion.If you have any questions or suggestions for Sue, feel free to reach out via email.Enjoy!What You’ll Learn in this Show:Kellie's experience in the construction industry, and how the birth of her daughter brought a new perspective to her women-in-construction journey.The gender gap in the construction industry and methods for addressing it.Changing the public perception of the construction industry, and introducing construction to children.And so much more...Resources:Kellie's LinkedInProcore TechnologiesThe Trusted Leader CourseLead with Trust NewsletterSue's Email

Today's episode of The Lead With Trust Show is another installment in the Bring Women into Construction series. This time out, Sue chats with Coralee Beatty, Business Strategist and Fractional COO of ThriveHQ, speaker, trainer and serial entrepreneur. Coralee's experience in the construction industry started with a 10 year career as a building envelope consultant with a multinational engineering firm. She left to work full time with her husband in their mechanical contracting business and remained there for the following 15 years. When the business quickly grew to seven figures, Coralee realized that the business was running her life. The freedom that business ownership was supposed to offer was lost in the running of the business - putting out one fire, and then the next. She hired a business coach to help keep her accountable and to help her learn how to structure her business, increase profitability and scale it to multi-seven figures, putting herself in a position to finally sell it and strike out on her own. Coralee has since set out on her path of coaching other women business owners in construction and trades, sharing the lessons she's learned, to lighten their burden and help them reach the life they want.During the episode, Sue and Coralee discuss her journey in the construction industry, to a building and selling a seven-figure business and eventually charting her own path as an entrepreneur and coach.Coralee offers insights on her experiences as a woman working as a consultant in the construction industry.They also explore the four primary reasons why women leave the construction industry, including a lack of flexibility and family obligations.Join Sue and Coralee for this fascinating discussion about the entrepreneurial path and the rewards and challenges it offers to women in construction.If you have any questions or suggestions for Sue, feel free to reach out via email.Enjoy!What You’ll Learn in this Show:The importance of having an end goal in mind when starting a business.Why many women are leaving the construction industry.How Coralee grew and eventually sold a seven-figure business.And so much more...Resources:Thrive HQ websiteHiring Secrets bookCoralee's email: [email protected] websiteLead with Trust NewsletterSue's Email: [email protected] YouTube channel

Today's episode of The Lead With Trust Show marks another part of the Bring Women into Construction series, and this time Sue chats with Jacob Adirte and Susan Rodriguez. Jacob is the Director of Organizing at the Nor Cal Carpenters Union, and Susan is a Field Representative for the Northern California Carpenters Regional Council, part of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters. The Nor Cal Carpenters Union (NCCU) has a membership of over 37,000 skilled craftspeople and is one of the largest organized voices in the construction industry. Their mission is to ensure each member can build a career with dignity that provides the best wages and benefits possible. The Northern California Carpenters Regional Council (NCCRC) is an affiliate of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, one of North America’s largest building-trades unions. The NCCRC represents over 30,000 working men and women in the northern 46 counties of California as well as several thousand contractors. They have served their members, employers, and communities for over 130 years.During the episode, Sue, Jacob and Susan discuss their new all-female pre-apprentice program, including the breakdown of the process applicants will experience.They look at the challenge the industry faces supporting female workers on the job, particularly as they enter their childbearing years.  They also offer information for those who wish to take part in the next pre-apprenticeship program.Join Sue, Jacob and Susan for this fascinating discussion.If you have any questions or suggestions for Sue, feel free to reach out via email.Enjoy!What You’ll Learn in this Show:Why the real challenge in the industry is not recruiting people - it's retaining them.The importance of recruiting and retaining new talent in the industry.The role of the union in the construction industry and ensuring that female members are fully supported.And so much more...Resources:Susan's LinkedInSusan's Phone: (209) 992-0760Susan's EmailWomen’s Focus CommitteeJacob's EmailNor Cal Carpenters Union websiteThe Trusted Leader CourseLead with Trust NewsletterSue's EmailSign Up for Sue's Free Masterclass, No More Claims

Today's episode of The Lead With Trust Show marks part 3 of the Bring Women into Construction series, and as such Sue chats with Kabri Lehrman-Schmid, Project Superintendent at Hensel Phelps. Kabri's 16-year career portfolio showcases her depth of skill as a superintendent across all project phases on highly-phased, active campus projects totaling over $1.9B work in place. She is valued by clients and trade partners as a talented controller of building strategy and an attentive coordinator of construction teams - outcomes rooted in the mutually-beneficial relationships she maintains. Recognized as one of ENR's 2023 Top 20 Under 40 national honorees and Construction Business Owner's 2019 Outstanding Women in Construction, Kabri is also the recipient of AGC of Washington's 2022 inaugural Rising Star award, and Washington Women in Trades' 2019 Workplace Leader Award. She is an experienced public speaker who contributes her industry insights to organizations and publications that prioritize workforce health building strategies, field management training and supporting careers in the skilled trades.During the episode, Sue and Kabri discuss the training curriculum Hnasel Phelps employs for women in the construction industry.Kabri highlights her personal experiences as a woman in the construction industry, including lessons she's learned, insights she's gained and obstacles she has overcome.They also explore the importance of having contingencies in place for the changes that you don't know are going to happen, as well as the ones you do.Join Sue and Kabri for this informative discussion into the value of bringing more women into the industry.If you have any questions or suggestions for Sue, feel free to reach out via email.Enjoy!What You’ll Learn in this Show:Kabri's journey into the construction industry and how she got started.The importance of psychological safety in the workplace.The barriers that still exist in the industry and need to be overcome.And so much more...Resources:Hensel Phelps websiteKabri's LinkedInSudyco websiteLead with Trust NewsletterKabri's email: [email protected]'s Email: [email protected]

Today's episode of The Lead With Trust Show is the fourth in our Bringing Women into Construction series, and to that end Sue chats with Tara Rohe, Project Administrator at Allied Painting Inc, a full service industrial painting contractor located in the New Jersey area. Allied Painting specializes in infrastructure that includes bridges, water tanks, overpasses and railroads. They are a certified lead abatement specialist engaged in the SSPC QP-1 and QP-2 programs and have been for over 20 years. Allied employs industry professionals such as project managers, engineers, safety personnel, and qualified superintendents and foremen to meet all of their client's industrial protective coating and infrastructure rehabilitation needs.During the episode, Sue and Tara discuss the benefits of working with a company that embraces people for who they are and what they can bring to the table.Tara explains some of the challenges for an East coast-based company working on a project on the West coast, including housing and logistics.They also explore Tara's journey through the industry, starting with answering phones and doing odd jobs around the office to her current role as Project Administrator.Join Sue and Tara for this informative discussion into the need to bring more women into the construction industry.If you have any questions or suggestions for Sue, feel free to reach out via email. [email protected]!What You’ll Learn in this Show:The differences working on projects on the East coast versus the West coast.The existing barriers that prevent women from getting into the industry.How to get the word out to women in the industry.And so much more...Resources:Tara's LinkedInTara's EmailAllied Painting Inc.Sudyco websiteLead with Trust NewsletterSue's Email: [email protected]

At one time or another we've all felt the blood rushing to our heads while our heart was pounding, and we've felt like we're about to burst with anger. It's normal and quite human. However, once we open our mouths to share this fervor, we add fuel to the fire of the conflict or disagreement that we've found ourselves in. We've become part of the problem. Our minds become hijacked, and we cannot focus on understanding the problem, or exploring possible solutions. Instead, we focus on rebuttals, getting even, or making sure that we win.In today's episode of The Lead With Trust Show, Sue offers some insights on this all-too-common problem and how you can manage or even avoid it altogether.During the episode, Sue offers two secrets she uses to manage high-conflict situations and prevent them from spiralling out of control.She offers an example of a large water treatment project she worked on that resulted in teams sitting in locked trailers emailing threats to each other, no one listening or communicating in any meaningful way.Sue also talks about partnering ground rules that you can set to create an atmosphere where dialogue and communication are encouraged.Join Sue for this fascinating discussion!If you have any questions or suggestions for Sue, feel free to reach out via email.Enjoy!What You’ll Learn in this Show:What happens when you find yourself partnered with a dysfunctional team.How to create an atmosphere that allows for dialogue to occur.Why senior leadership positions are shared decisions.And so much more...Resources:The Trusted Leadership CourseLead with Trust NewsletterSue's Email: [email protected]