S4 Ep7 - Women in Construction: Taking Off the Armour with Faye Allen

Send us Fan Mail (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2489643/fa...) What does it take to succeed as a woman in construction—and what does that success cost when you feel you have to protect yourself behind a tough exterior? Faye Allen has spent more than three decades in the industry, often as one of very few women in the room. Now a senior global leader and author of Building Women: How Everyone in Construction Can Win, she joins executive leadership coach Mary Gregory for an honest conversation about ambition, belonging and the cultures we create at work. Faye describes the “armadillo shell” she developed early in her career, the support that helped her become more herself, and an experience of persistent undermining that chipped away at her confidence. Together, we explore: • Why resilience can make it harder to recognise how much you are tolerating. • Navigating organisational politics and setting boundaries. • The difference supportive leadership makes. • Owning mistakes and welcoming feedback as a senior leader. • How women and men can become allies to one another. • Flexible working, caring responsibilities and retaining talented women. • Why healthier workplace cultures matter for everyone. Drawing on her own experience and the research behind her book, Faye offers practical examples of leadership that combines high expectations with care for people. For anyone leading a team, navigating a difficult workplace or working to make their industry more inclusive, this conversation offers plenty to reflect on. Connect with Faye on LinkedIn -   / fayeallen   Or go to Rimkus - https://rimkus.com/expert/faye-allen/... Buy her book - Building Women: How Everyone in Construction Can Win is available in print, on Kindle and on Audible - https://amzn.eu/d/0aNOJCuw Content note: This episode includes discussion of bullying, an abusive relationship, mental health and suicide bereavement. Follow She Leads Collective for conversations about women’s leadership, allyship and the changes that help people thrive at work. 🔗 Connect with Mary: marygregory.com (https://marygregory.com) 📣 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marygregory (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marygrego...)  📸 Instagram:   / mary_gregory    📰 Newsletter: Subscribe on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/build-relati...  🎙 Want to be a guest? Get in touch!  ⭐ Subscribe, share & leave a review  ✨ Produced by Mary Gregory Leadership Coaching