Lead With Trust For Construction Leaders – Details, episodes & analysis

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 Institute

IPI Project Leader Certification

Join the International Partnering Institute

Sue'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. suedyer@sudyco.com

Enjoy!

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 industry
• And so much more...

Resources:

Emily's LinkedIn

United Contractors Association

The Trusted Leader Course

Lead with Trust Newsletter

Sue's Email

Today's episode of The Lead With Trust Show is a continuation of the Bring Women into Construction series. This time, Sue chats with Kaitlin Frank, CEO of eMOD, a safety application for construction contractors. Kaitlin has over a decade of experience leading trade crews in the field as a Superintendent in the construction industry. She envisioned and led the development of eMOD while serving as a Superintendent of an ENR Top-400 commercial general contractor. eMOD, named a 2021 Top-Product by Constructech, currently has nearly 1,000 contractors and more than 17,000 platform users.

Joining a small but growing number of women CEOs in the A/E/C sector, Frank is a recognized thought leader within the construction industry, being named a Top Tech Powered Superintendent by Plangrid in 2019, a Top Woman in Construction by Constructech in 2020 and a Construction Champion: Up and Coming Leader by Construction Dive in 2021. She acts as an industry advisor to prominent technology providers and has spoken in advocacy of technology at national conferences and podcasts. Born into a construction family, Frank holds a B.S. in Architecture and an M.S. in Construction Management from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston.

During the episode, Sue and Kaitlin discuss her early desire to be an architect and the realization that sitting at a desk all day was not the path for her, and how that led to her becoming the only female construction superintendent in Boston.

Kaitlin offers insights on the importance of being a role model for the next generation of women in the construction industry.

They also explore Kaitlin's desire to see a construction industry where being a woman on a job site is no longer a novelty, or an anomaly - it's completely normal.

Join Sue and Kaitlin for this fascinating discussion into the opportunities being created for women and how those in the industry today are paving the way to the future.

If you have any questions or suggestions for Sue, feel free to reach out via email.

Enjoy!

What You’ll Learn in this Show:

• Kaitlin's path into the construction industry, and where that long road began.
• The importance of bringing your business culture with you to any construction project.
• Some of the barriers Kaitlin still sees facing women in the industry.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Kaitlin's LinkedIn

eMOD Safety website

Sudyco website

Lead with Trust Newsletter

Sue's Email: suedyer@sudyco.com

Sign Up for Sue's Free Masterclass, No More Claims

Learning is exciting and creative. It helps you see things in a new way, and can push you to create new and even better results. Of course the flip side of learning is teaching and for Sue, they have both been long-time passions. After the successful launch of her book, "The Trusted Leader," many people had asked if she would create some training materials based on the material in the book. The result is the Trusted Leadership course, which is now open for enrollment. This training focuses on helping you integrate the trusted leadership concepts right into your projects and your life as a leader.

In today's episode of The Lead With Trust Show, Sue offers some details on the new Trusted Leadership course.

During the episode, Sue looks at the thinking behind the Trusted Leadership course, and the inspiration that brought it to life.

She offers some details on the structure of the course itself, such as the included workbook and weekly group coaching sessions.

Sue also talks about the 30-day trusted leadership challenge, an opportunity to implement everything you've learned in the course thus far into your work.

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:

• Details and structure of the Trusted Leadership course.
• How to drive out fear and create a high-trust team.
• How to become a trusted leader on your projects.
• And so much more...

Resources:

The Trusted Leadership Course

Lead with Trust Newsletter

Sue's Email: suedyer@sudyco.com

Imagine being the president of a successful contracting business, a company started by your great-great grandfather 135 years ago. Continuing such a powerful legacy of professionalism and success is the goal of today's guest.

Today's episode of The Lead With Trust Show is a continuation of the Bring Women into Construction series. This time out, Sue chats with Mary Teichert, President of Teichert Inc., a construction and materials company founded in 1887 by her great-great-grandfather Adolph Teichert. Part of the business for almost 20 years, she previously worked at Apple Computer and Bain Consulting. Teichert mines and sells rock, asphalt and concrete and builds roads and streets, subdivisions, levees, airports, gas distribution and various other elements of infrastructure. Mary is also a Senior Fellow with the American Leadership Forum and a board member of the California Building Industry Association (CBIA), the California State License Board (CSLB), HomeAid of the East Bay, The Beavers (a heavy engineering construction association of which she is Vice President) and Teichert Inc. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard College.

During the episode, Sue and Mary discuss the most fun part of her job - the variety it offers, as well as the challenge of ensuring that they are sending everybody home safely every day.

Mary highlights Teichert's 'Take Your Daughter to Work' initiative, offering opportunities for employees to bring their daughters to the office and the work site, offering much-needed exposure to the industry and the opportunities it presents.

They also explore the importance of determining the purpose for your business, particularly in the early days. What difference do you want to make in the world? What kind of legacy do you want to create for your children to carry on?

Join Sue and Mary for this eye-opening discussion into creating an industry that is more welcoming to women,particularly those with a long term vision.

If you have any questions or suggestions for Sue, feel free to reach out via email.

Enjoy!

What You’ll Learn in this Show:

• Mary's belief that the definition of quality is what the customer wants.
• Why women in the industry have common experiences that are not common to men.
• The importance of having a long-term vision.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Teichert website

Mary's LinkedIn

Sudyco website

Lead with Trust Newsletter

Sue's Email: suedyer@sudyco.com

Power imbalances within a project is an issue that many businesses encounter. For example, the owner of a project hires a designer to develop bridging documents, while the designer of record designs the facility itself. However, the designer of record feels that at each step of the way, they are being undermined by the bridging document designer, who seems to want things beyond what's practical in the contract. Perhaps the bridging document designer has the ear of the owner, and they've worked together now for a few years on this project. As a result, they feel that they must protect what was promised to the stakeholders. So no matter how many iterations the designer of record submits, they just can't make the bridging document designer and thus the owner happy. 

Power imbalances are all-to-common throughout the construction industry, in projects, with third parties and within businesses and organizations. Addressing those power imbalances is the subject of today's show.

In today's episode of The Lead With Trust Show, Sue offers some insights as to the cause of these power imbalances, and steps you can take to mitigate or even avoid them altogether.

During the episode, Sue looks at the adverse effects power imbalances can have on your projects, from personnel to financial.

She offers tips for recognizing and addressing imbalances early in the process, before they can grow into major issues.

Sue also talks about the importance of offering possible solutions to team leaders, allowing them to make better, more informed decisions.

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:

• Why the most common form of power imbalance comes in the form of the field team vs. the office team.
• The positive impact of setting clear ground rules when an imbalance is discovered.
• Why all members of a project have an important role to play in decision making.
• And so much more...

Resources:

The Trusted Leadership Course

Sudyco website

Lead with Trust Newsletter

Sue's Email: suedyer@sudyco.com

Today's episode of The Lead With Trust Show is the first in our Bringing Women into Construction series, and to that end Sue chats with Emily Cohen, Executive Vice President of United Contractors. Emily oversees government relations, public policy, political advocacy, and external affairs. Over her tenure, she has helped secure more than $90B in funding for the industry through local and state ballot measures and legislation. She has secured dozens of bills to improve the business environment, increase safety, and expand the market share for CA union signatory contractors. Emily is motivated by the opportunity to directly assist members —large and small —with issues that impact their bottom line.

During the episode, Sue and Emily discuss the reasons why the number of women in construction, percentage wise, is abysmal. They discuss the workforce and talent shortage currently being experienced by the industry, and the conversations and solutions that they hope will arise from this series.

Emily explains why she believes that the companies which are moving to recruit and retain and develop a diverse workforce based on talent and hard work are the companies that will succeed.

They also explore the role of men in the conversations being had throughout the industry, and why their advocacy and allyship is vital to addressing the problem of diversity in the workforce.

Join Sue and Emily 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.

Enjoy!

What You’ll Learn in this Show:

• Why there are currently, half a billion jobs going unfilled in the construction industry.
• The importance of having a high-trust culture in your business.
• Why women represent the future of the construction industry.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Emily's Email: ecohen@unitedcontractors.org

Sudyco website

Lead with Trust Newsletter

Sue's Email: suedyer@sudyco.com

We all talk about great leaders, but how often do we actually get to meet one? Being a great leader isn't just about being intelligent, or a visionary. It mostly involves inspiring and creating a high-trust environment filled with high-trust relationships with their teams. Sue's guest today has done just that through both his work and volunteer activities, and he's joined us to offer his insights.

In today's episode of The Lead With Trust Show, Sue chats with Jorge Rubio, AAE, CAE, deputy director of the City of San Diego Department of Real Estate and Airport Management (DREAM), and also the past president of the Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (SWAAAE).

During the episode, Sue and Jorge discuss his background, his education as an architect and some of the foundational experiences that have helped him become the leader he is today. They discuss his first job when he arrived in the US as a busboy, which only lasted for a single day due to his difficulties with the language.

They discuss the pivotal role trust plays in his role as Deputy Director of Airport Management, ensuring that the airports are run safely and efficiently to service the 500+ flights that go in and out of San Diego daily.

They also explore Jorge's shift from architecture to aviation, and his cross country move (with new family in tow) to the west coast, a place he believed was a mecca for aviation in America.

Join Sue and Jorge for this fascinating discussion around building and maintaining a high-trust environment in an industry where trust is paramount.

If you have any questions or suggestions for Sue, feel free to reach out via email.

Enjoy!

What You’ll Learn in this Show:

• Jorge's background, early education as an architect and some of the foundational experiences that have helped him become a trusted leader.
• The role that trust plays in ensuring that the airports are run safely and efficiently to service the 500+ flights that go in and out of San Diego daily.
• Jorge's educational shift from architecture to aviation, and his cross country move (with new family in tow) to California.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Sudyco website

Lead with Trust Newsletter

Sue's Email

Jorge’s Email 

Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives - Board of Directors

It might seem that the agriculture and construction industries have little in common. However, there are a surprising number of similarities between the two, particularly in the area of the staffing issues every industry seems to be experiencing. In addition, many of the strategies and tactics that make for great leaders apply equally to both industries.

In today's episode of The Lead With Trust Show, Sue chats with Tyler Dickerhoof, leader, speaker and host of The Impact Driven Leader podcast. Tyler is dedicated to helping leaders in all industries get their teams to the next level. He has over 20 years of experience starting multiple businesses, and is a member of the John Maxwell Network Marketing Advisory Council. Together with his wife Kelley, Tyler has also become one of the top 5 income earners for the network marketing company Isagenix.

During the episode, Sue and Tyler discuss the similarities between the construction and agriculture industries, from problem solving and dealing with many different people from many different fields to the high level of state of the art technology involved.

They discuss how one of the often overlooked elements of the construction industry is creativity - coming up with creative and novel ways to solve real world problems that can affect the completion of projects.

They explore the power of inclusivity and combining people of different backgrounds, styles and abilities to create more powerful and effective teams.

Tyler also discusses his Impact Driven Leader podcast - where the original idea for the podcast came from, and what a truly impactful leader looks like.

Join Sue and Tyler for this fascinating discussion around being an impactful leader in your organisation.

If you have any questions or suggestions for Sue, feel free to reach out via email. suedyer@sudyco.com

Enjoy!

What You’ll Learn in this Show:

• The surprising similarities that exist between the construction and agriculture industries.
• How the built environment has a role in designing the culture of your life and business.
• The importance of aligning your various teams with common goals.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Tyler's LinkedIn

Tyler's website

Sudyco website

Lead with Trust Newsletter

Sue's Email: suedyer@sudyco.com

Obviously, the most successful projects are completed by teams made up of the best people available. But how do you get those people on your team? How do you ensure that you're recruiting the best and most effective people? Today's guest is here to provide some insight into those questions.

In today's episode of The Lead With Trust Show, Sue chats with Ryan Englin, CEO of Core Matters, and the co-host of the Blue Collar Culture podcast. Core Matters helps construction companies attract, hire, and retain frontline talent and make their recruiting efforts more effective.

During the episode, Sue and Ryan discuss the five secrets to effective recruiting, including making recruiting a marketing activity, caring for your employer brand, etc.

Ryan highlights the biggest mistake most construction companies make during their recruiting process - so you can avoid it in your recruiting process.

They also explore the best methodologies for creating recruiting ads designed to get a 300% improvement in response.

Join Sue and Ryan for this informative discussion into making your recruiting efforts far more effective.

If you have any questions or suggestions for Sue, feel free to reach out via email.

Enjoy!

What You’ll Learn in this Show:

• Ryan's five secrets for effective recruiting, such as creating a relationship between you and your employee, addressing red flags during the interview process, and more.
• The number one mistake most construction companies make during the recruiting process.
• How to create a recruitment ad designed to get a 300% improvement in response.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Ryan's Email: ryan@thecorematters.com

Ryan's Website

How to Hire the Ones You Won't Want to Fire book

Sudyco website

Lead with Trust Newsletter

Sue's Email: suedyer@sudyco.com