In her final regular Inside Construction column, Dr Gretchen Gagel shares the lessons four decades in construction have taught her about the industry.
What an amazing opportunity it has been to collaborate with the Inside Construction team on 21 editorials over the past four years. Thank you for this incredible opportunity to share what I have learnt as a construction industry leader over the past 40 years. Readers, I hope my thoughts have challenged and informed your thinking as a leader.
But all good things must come to an end. After eight wonderful years living in Australia, and as a proud Australian citizen, I am shifting most of my time back to the US to be with my family and focus on my global work as founder and CEO of the International Institute for Women in Construction (IIWIC). This will be my final regular editorial, although the team has assured me that future guest appearances are welcome. My work with IIWIC will continue here in Australia as we build upon our recent white paper in collaboration with RMIT distinguished professor Dr Helen Lingard, NAWIC Australia and the Australian Constructors Association (ACA). I will be here regularly.
Embedding myself in the US and Australian construction industries, and now in additional countries through my work with IIWIC, has taught me several important lessons:
I hope you will connect with me on LinkedIn and share your thoughts on these ideas. What have I not yet learnt? What thinking has this provoked?
My deepest gratitude to editor Ashley Grogan and the Inside Construction team for providing space for my voice. Thank you to all who take the time to read these thoughts and share your thoughts with me. Mostly, thank you to the millions of people in the global construction community who, with pride and thoughtfulness, build and maintain our world.
Dr Gretchen Gagel, founder and CEO of the International Institute for Women in Construction ( iiwic.org ), is a member of the National Academy of Construction (US) 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
