The Canaries in the Coal Mines

The Canaries in the Coal Mines

Many people have asked me why I decided to develop a Leadership Boot Camp exclusively for women in the construction industry especially given that I had never done anything specifically for women in the past.  Just the opposite.  I intentionally avoided any appearance...
Overworked & Underutilized

Overworked & Underutilized

We have both a crisis and an opportunity before us in the construction industry.  First the crisis.  People in the construction industry, particularly project level people and field personnel—hardworking, well-intentioned guys and gals are overworked, super stressed,...
#15 – Expertise is Not Enought

#15 – Expertise is Not Enought

Years ago, I pinned a quote by Robert A. Heinlein up on the door of my office while teaching at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo.  It was about the same time that I was writing my book Construction Management Jumpstart (published by Wiley, now in its 3rd...
#14 – Breaking Down Silos

#14 – Breaking Down Silos

In 1992, John Gray wrote one of the most significant relationship books ever written.  It was wildly popular and sold over 50 million copies in over fifty different languages around the world.  The book was entitled “Men are From Mars, Women are From...
#13 – The High Cost of the Low Bid

#13 – The High Cost of the Low Bid

“The riskiest position that any owner can find themselves in on their construction project is when working with a contractor who is losing money.”  This is the warning that I give every owner or developer planning to go with the “low bid” approach on their...
My New Mascot

My New Mascot

I admit it, I’m a workaholic.  Long ago I had a boss ask me what my hobbies were.  I told him – my work is my hobby.  He said, “No, really what’s your favorite hobby?”  I said, “No, really, it’s my work.” I’m one of the fortunate ones who was able to hone my work in...
The Power of Pull

The Power of Pull

If you are like most people, you have probably gone through stages where you felt like the job you have, or the work you do, or the life you’re living just isn’t fulfilling anymore—or that something is off, or wrong, or missing.  Or worse yet, you have lost...
Ready, Set, Jump

Ready, Set, Jump

I’m sure many of you feel the same way I do about leaving 2021 behind and jump starting 2022 with intention and anticipation.  Despite the challenges associated with learning to live and operate as normally as possible with the COVID infection still having...
Words of Wisdom from Shirley #3 – The Even Stickier Ladder

Words of Wisdom from Shirley #3 – The Even Stickier Ladder

Sharing the Wisdom of Women Warriors #3 The Even Stickier Ladder First Published on March 25, 2016 by Shirley Ramos                                                                                                 Co-founder of the Women Building Change Leadership Boot...