Breaking Barriers: Women Thriving in Construction with Dr. Gretchen Gagel

Building Scale

We interview successful Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) business leaders to learn how they use people, processes, and technology to scale their businesses.

Breaking Barriers: Women Thriving in Construction with Dr. Gretchen Gagel

E120 • Apr 22, 2025 • 61 mins

Dr. Gretchen Gagel shares her journey in the construction industry, focusing on her role in industry committees and promoting diversity. She discusses technology's impact on scaling AEC businesses, overcoming gender biases, and the importance of diversity and organizational agility. Dr. Gagel reflects on leadership differences in various-sized companies and her chair role at Brinkman Construction. The episode explores strategies for attracting women to construction, addressing labor issues, and the role of cohorts in leadership development. It concludes with Dr. Gagel's insights on AI's impact, influential leaders, and organizational culture.

Key Points

Creating an inclusive and diverse workforce in the construction industry can significantly enhance problem-solving capabilities and overall team performance.
Implementing agile leadership practices, such as reducing excessive bureaucracy and empowering team members, can improve organizational agility and responsiveness.
Utilizing AI for tasks like proposal development and strategic planning can significantly increase efficiency and free up valuable time for more critical activities.

Connect with Gretchen - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchen-gagel/ Website: https://womenthrivinginconstruction.org/ Connect with Justin & Will - Will's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willforet/ Justin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justneagle/ Learn More & Connect With Spot Migration - Website: https://www.spotmigration.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spot-migration Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotmigration Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Spotmigration Do you want to be a guest on the show? Go to https://buildingscale.net/guests Need to discuss your IT and Cybersecurity Strategy? Go to https://buildingscale.net/help

Speakers

Dr. Gretchen Gagel

Guest • 74%

Will Foret

Host • 2%

Justin Neagle

Host • 19%

Will Foret

Host • 6%

Chapters

0:00	Introduction to Dr. Gretchen Gagel and her work in construction industry committees
1:21	The role of technology in scaling AEC businesses
2:30	Dr. Gagel's journey into the construction industry
5:00	Overcoming challenges and biases as a woman in construction
7:07	The importance of diversity and Dr. Gagel's research on organizational agility
11:11	Leadership differences in large vs. small construction companies
13:02	Dr. Gagel's chair role at Brinkman Construction and founding Women Thriving in Construction
19:13	Men's involvement in promoting gender diversity in construction
22:39	Strategies to attract and retain women in the construction industry
27:52	Addressing labor and retention issues in construction
31:33	Cohorts and their role in leadership development
37:16	Enhancing self-awareness and emotional intelligence in leadership
40:02	The significance of investing in leadership skills and continuous learning
41:18	Core values and the 'right person, right seat' concept
42:57	Influential leaders in organizational culture and making people feel valued
50:15	The impact and applications of AI in the construction industry
57:49	Dr. Gagel's advice to her younger self and information on her book
1:00:18	Final thoughts, appreciation, and episode wrap-up
1:00:42	Recap of the three pillars of scaling a business and cybersecurity strategy call-to-action
1:01:13	Sign-off and farewell

Transcript

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