Picture this: I’m standing at the front of a conference room, my heart racing as I open with Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” speech. In my mind, it was perfect – what better way to inspire a room of executives as we prepared to launch a startup division within our company? The words about daring greatly, about stepping into the arena despite the risk of failure – they had moved me deeply during my preparation.
But as I read those powerful words about “the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood,” I was met with blank stares and uncomfortable shifts in seats. The silence in that room was deafening. This wasn’t the rallying moment I’d imagined. And just to drive home how completely I’d missed the mark, after I finished my entire presentation about our vision for this new division, someone approached me – not to discuss strategy or possibilities – but to inform me that “millworks” couldn’t be plural and I’d spelled it wrong on my powerpoint… thanks man. Really needed that last jab.
Months of preparation, research, and hard work, and that was my feedback. That moment could have broken me. Instead, it became my own personal “in the arena” moment – my face metaphorically marred by dust and sweat and blood, but still standing.
Here’s what I’ve learned after decades in construction and the building industry: that presentation wasn’t my last difficult moment – not even close. But each challenging experience, each failure, each awkward silence has made me stronger. Real confidence, I’ve discovered, isn’t about delivering perfect presentations or never making spelling mistakes – it’s about staying in the arena, no matter how many times you get knocked down.
Here’s the truth that transformed my career: real confidence comes from embracing challenges, not avoiding them. When I first stepped into a leadership role, I wasn’t the most confident or qualified person in the room. But I learned that confidence, like a well-built structure, requires a solid foundation and deliberate construction.
Today, I’m sharing five powerful strategies that helped me build unshakeable confidence in an industry where women make up only 11% of the workforce. These aren’t just theories – they’re battle-tested tools from decades in building materials and construction.
Courage: Your Foundation for Growth
Let’s get real: walking into a construction site or a building materials boardroom as one of the few women there takes courage. But here’s what I’ve learned – courage isn’t about feeling fearless. It’s about taking action despite the fear.
Remember my first major industry presentation? I was nervous and felt like my whole career was riding on that one moment. But I stood up and delivered anyway. That single act of courage led to speaking opportunities at Verizon, Walgreens, and major industry events.
Action Step: Identify one thing in your career that scares you – maybe it’s leading a major project, speaking at an industry event, or challenging a traditional process. Now, commit to taking one small step toward it this week. Courage builds confidence, one brave action at a time.
Failure: Your Greatest Teacher
Here’s something the construction industry doesn’t talk about enough: failure isn’t just normal – it’s necessary. During my first two years of starting my own businesses, I have made countless mistakes. Each one taught me something valuable about leadership, business, and myself.
The key? Stop seeing failures as setbacks and start seeing them as data points. When a strategy doesn’t work or a project goes sideways, you’ve just discovered one more way to improve.
Action Step: Start keeping a “Lessons Learned” journal. After every project or challenge, document what worked, what didn’t, and what you’ll do differently next time. Turn your failures into stepping stones for growth.
Curiosity: Your Edge in Innovation
In building materials, the phrase “we’ve always done it this way” can be deadly. Curiosity – asking questions, challenging assumptions, seeking new solutions – is your superpower.
When I founded Build Women and Grit Blueprint, I wasn’t just curious about leadership development; I was obsessed with changing the construction and building industry for the next generation of legacy leaders. That curiosity led to innovative programs that have transformed businesses and careers across the industry.
Action Step: Choose one area of your work and approach it with deliberate curiosity this week. Ask “why” five times. Look for inefficiencies. Question traditional approaches. Your unique perspective might just revolutionize a process.
Strengths: Your Competitive Advantage
Stop trying to fix all your weaknesses. Instead, double down on your strengths. As a Gallup-certified coach, I’ve watched countless people transform their careers and businesses by focusing on what they do best.
Your natural talents – whether they’re relationship building, problem-solving, or strategic thinking – aren’t just nice-to-have skills. They’re your competitive advantage in construction leadership.
Action Step: Take the Gallup Clifton Strengths test. Identify your top strengths. Now, how can you use them more intentionally in your current role? Look for opportunities to apply these strengths to solve industry challenges.
Differentiators: Your Unique Value Proposition
Here’s a powerful truth: what makes you different makes you valuable. In an industry dominated by traditional thinking, your unique perspective isn’t a liability – it’s an asset.
When I started sharing my experiences as a woman in building materials, I worried about standing out too much. Some co-workers and leaders even called me a show off. Now, I know that distinctiveness is exactly what makes my voice valuable in construction leadership conversations.
Action Step: Write down three things that make you different in your role or industry. How can you leverage these differences to bring fresh perspectives to your organization?
Building Your Confidence Blueprint
Remember: confidence isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about knowing your value and bringing your unique perspective to every conversation in construction and beyond.
Ready to build your confidence strategically? Join us at Build Women’s event with the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas on March 18th, where we’ll dive deeper into these strategies and create your personal confidence blueprint. Visit buildwomen.com to secure your spot.
The construction and building industry needs your voice, your leadership, and your confidence. Don’t wait until you feel ready – start building your confidence today, one brave action at a time.
Share your journey: What’s one step you’re taking to build your confidence in construction? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments below.
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