In this electrifying episode of The Sparky Life, host Lia Lamela dives deep into the dynamic world of the construction industry with an absolute powerhouse: Barb Allen, a trailblazer with over three decades of experience in leadership, from a licensed carpenter to superintendent and business owner. Join us in todays amazing conversation.0:00 Introduction: Women Reshaping Construction and Persistent Challenges 1:00 Introducing Barb Allen: Extensive Experience and Perspective 2:30 Being Labelled "Difficult" as a Female Leader 4:30 Leadership Techniques: Letting People Come to Their Own Conclusions 7:30 The Initial Shock of Women in the Trades 8:30 Shift to Microaggressions and Unconscious Biases 11:30 Differences in Male and Female Conversational Styles 12:30 Dealing with "Yesing to Death" and Lack of Follow-Through 14:30 Leadership Title Without Actual Authority 17:30 Bosses Undermining Authority and the Importance of Reinforcement 19:30 The Constant Need to Reprove and Reasons for Women Leaving 21:30 Having Conversations with Leaders About Lack of Authority 25:00 Using the Socratic Method for Leadership Discussions 27:30 Approaching Leaders with the Assumption of Good Intentions 28:30 Sponsor Message: Supply House 29:30 Lack of Understanding from Clients and Design Teams 31:30 Assumptions About Women's Lack of Field Experience 34:30 Leadership Skills Versus Trade Skills and the Peter Principle 37:30 The Necessity of Leadership Training and its Impact on the Bottom Line 40:30 Reasons for Leaving Jobs: Bad Bosses Versus Pay 41:30 The Cost of Employee Turnover and the Practice of Pigeonholing 43:00 Differences in Male and Female Leaders Letting People Go 46:00 Being the One to Speak Up in Meetings and Male Colleagues' Reactions 48:00 Advice on Speaking Up and Potential Career Repercussions 52:30 Example of Inappropriate Industry Event and Varying Reactions 57:30 The Importance of Building a Strong Support Network 58:30 Where to Find Barb Allen and Her PodcastFollow Barb here - www.constructionbarb.com or @constructionbarbThanks to our sponsor SupplyHouse! - Visit www.supplyhouse.com/t-m🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE 👍, COMMENT 💬, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 for more motivation & success tips!📲 Follow me on social media for more adventures: Instagram: @yourconstructionnetworkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesparkylifepodcast#construction #womeninconstruction #leadership #mentorship #career #trades #superintendent #genderequality #podcast #lialamela #barballen #thesparkylife #constructionbarb #constructivebehaviors #empowerment #building #industry #2025
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