Let’s get real: I’ve spent decades in the building materials industry, and I’ve seen brilliant women repeatedly hit the same invisible walls. After reading “How Women Rise” by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith, everything clicked. The habits holding women back in corporate America? They’re amplified in our male-dominated construction world.
Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on these career-limiting patterns I see constantly in our industry. More importantly, I’m sharing how to break free from them. Because in construction, we can’t afford to let these habits hold us back any longer.
The Silent Achiever Syndrome
Here’s a story that might sound familiar: One of my mentees was crushing it in commercial sales, consistently exceeding targets and innovating processes that saved her company millions. But when I asked about her last promotion discussion, she admitted she’d never had one. Why? “My work should speak for itself.”
This is what Helgesen and Goldsmith call “Reluctance to Claim Your Achievements,” and it’s killing careers in construction. In an industry where women make up only 11% of the workforce, waiting for someone to notice your contributions is a career death sentence.
The Fix: Start documenting your wins. Every successful project, every problem solved, every innovation implemented – write it down. Then, make it a habit to share these achievements in team meetings, with your supervisor, and yes, even on LinkedIn. The construction industry needs to hear your voice.
The Expertise Trap
“I just need one more certification…” Sound familiar? I see too many women in building materials focusing solely on technical expertise while their male counterparts are building relationships and visibility. Yes, knowing your stuff matters – but it’s not enough.
The Fix: For every hour you spend on technical training, spend one hour on relationship building. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and connect with other leaders in construction. Your expertise is valuable, but your network makes it visible.
The Relationship Paradox
Women in construction often excel at building deep, meaningful relationships. But here’s the hard truth: we frequently fail to leverage these connections strategically. We’re great at supporting others but hesitate to ask for introductions, recommendations, or opportunities.
The Fix: Start viewing your relationships through a strategic lens. That contractor you’ve worked with for years? They might be the perfect person to recommend you for that industry speaking opportunity. Your vendor network? They could be your ticket to that dream role.
The Perfectionism Penalty
In construction, where mistakes can be costly, perfectionism seems logical. But I’ve watched too many women miss opportunities because they were waiting to be “perfectly ready.” Meanwhile, their male colleagues jumped at chances with half the preparation.
The Fix: Adopt what I call the “80% Rule” – if you’re 80% ready, go for it. Whether it’s applying for a promotion, speaking at an industry event, or launching a new initiative, perfect timing doesn’t exist in construction.
Breaking Free: Your Action Plan
- Start Sharing Now Don’t wait until you have a massive platform. Share your industry insights on LinkedIn, contribute to trade publications, or speak at local industry events. Your perspective matters.
- Build Your Brand Intentionally Choose your focus area in construction and become known for it. Maybe it’s sustainable building materials, efficient project management, or innovative sales strategies. Own your expertise.
- Leverage Your Network Strategically Make a list of your top 10 industry connections. How can each relationship help advance your goals? More importantly, how can you provide value to them?
- Document Everything Keep a “victory file” of your achievements, positive feedback, and project successes. Update it weekly. This becomes your ammunition for promotion discussions and your content for industry visibility.
The Construction Industry Needs You
Here’s the reality: the construction industry is evolving, and women’s leadership is more crucial than ever. We can’t afford to let these self-limiting habits hold us back. Your experience, your perspective, and your leadership are essential for driving our industry forward.
Ready to Rise?
Join us at Build Women’s upcoming events where we’ll dive deeper into breaking these habits and building strategies for success in construction. Connect with other women who are changing the face of our industry.
Remember: In construction, your work won’t speak for itself – but you can give it a powerful voice.
Join the conversation: What career-limiting habits have you overcome in the construction industry? Share your story in the comments below.
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