Construcciones Yamaro: IIWIC inspires action in construction through global storytelling

Research can show where construction needs to improve, but stories are what help people see that change is possible. (Image: Gorodenkoff/stock.adobe.com)

The International Institute for Women in Construction (IIWIC) is helping the industry see how change is already taking shape.

By Dr Gretchen Gagel.

I was born in the US state of Missouri, known as the ‘Show Me State’, meaning ‘I’ll believe you when you show me’. I often joke that the global construction industry was born there because we lean to the ‘laggard’ rather than ‘early adopter’ side of the innovation adoption curve. Sometimes we are hesitant to try new things unless peers have led the way.

Dr Gretchen Gagel. (Image: Heidi Victoria)

I was recently in a meeting with several US principal contractor leaders. I mentioned that John Holland Group was piloting two different project start times to accommodate workers who need to drop children at school or daycare. The response was immediate: “How are they doing that? We’ve been trying to do that for years.”

In the last edition, I wrote about the importance of research and data in helping us understand the status of women in construction. I also wrote about the IIWIC, RMIT, Australian Constructors Association and National Association of Women in Construction Australia partnership on a white paper outlining key initiatives that are working in Australia.

But research, data and white papers are not enough. The ideas we are trying must be shared with the world, and that is IIWIC’s second primary focus: global storytelling.

The power of stories

The stories we tell become the narrative, the folklore, our culture and our behavioural norms. As an engineer, I’m often more comfortable with data, but stories create emotional connection and inspire action.

We have all heard stories of heroics, technical prowess and project success. It is also important that we tell the stories of women succeeding and of active allyship driving a culture that welcomes women and actively wants women to be part of it. We need people to believe women are key to the sustainability of our industry.

How can you support this effort?

For those of us who often lead with data and facts, technical challenges can feel easier to address than people challenges. But it is our ability to connect that creates the greatest power, and stories are an important tool.

Think of the stories you are telling. Are you lifting people by celebrating their successes? Are you telling stories that inspire action, or fuel drama and conflict?

Allyship: An important story

While meeting with construction leaders in the UK recently, I heard the term ‘passive allyship’. To me, this means saying all the right things, such as “Of course I support women” or “I was cheering for her, but she just couldn’t cut it”. Active allyship looks different. It is stepping up to support women before they ask, noticing when a woman is being spoken over in a meeting and calling out poor behaviour.

Years ago, I recorded a Greatness Podcast with Andre Noon, COO of Acciona Australia/New Zealand. Andre asked his team to set a goal of 50 per cent female participation on a girls’ school construction project. While there was some pushback, they achieved it. That is active allyship. That is inspiring action towards a bold goal and creating a story that inspires others.

A culture worth sharing

I encourage you to think about how you contribute to the story of success for women in construction, and your male peers as well. How can your stories fuel a positive, professional culture that attracts the best and brightest? Think about your allyship. What are you actively doing to support your mates, male and female? Together, we can foster a construction industry filled with stories of women and men flourishing.

Dr Gretchen Gagel, GAICD, founder and CEO of the International Institute for Women in Construction, is a member of the National Academy of Construction and a leader respected for her four-decade career of strategic advisement in the construction industry. Gretchen is passionate about leading change in the construction industry and developing future leaders. You can hear more from Gretchen on the Greatness Podcast and her book, Building Women Leaders: A Blueprint for Women Thriving in Construction, is available on Amazon. Find out more at gretchengagel.com

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