What if the labor shortage in construction could be solved by tapping into a powerful, often overlooked workforce? In this episode of Titans of the Trades, Ryan Englin talks with industry leadership expert Dr. Gretchen Gagel, CEO and Founder of Greatness Consulting, about why bringing more women into construction isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s essential for the future of the trades.
Dr. Gagel shares her incredible journey from being disowned for studying engineering to leading multimillion-dollar construction projects and now authoring a groundbreaking book: Building Women Leaders. She opens up about unconscious bias, microaggressions, and how businesses can transform their culture to be more inclusive, respectful, and productive…for everyone.
If you’re serious about building a sustainable workforce and evolving leadership in the trades, this episode is your blueprint.
Episode Takeaways:
- [00:16] Why Gretchen left a Harvard acceptance to study engineering and never looked back.
- [02:01] What inspired Building Women Leaders, and why it’s not just for women.
- [04:47] Understanding unconscious bias and how it shows up on job sites and in hiring.
- [08:36] Tips for recognizing and reducing unconscious bias in your company.
- [14:31] Is construction getting better for women? Here's what the data says.
- [16:52] What makes women in the trades feel exhausted and how leadership can change it.
- [17:27] The small ways male allies can make a big difference in workplace culture.
- [20:38] Advice for aspiring women leaders entering the trades.
- [24:28] How construction businesses can take real steps toward inclusion and representation.
Connect With Dr. Gagel:
Website: https://gretchengagel.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchen-gagel/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Building-Women-Leaders-Blueprint-Construction/dp/1394251386
Support Titans of the Trades:
If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.