This myth is also a misnomer. It can be a success factor given recent research published in Construction Management and Economics (2024-2025) showing emotional intelligence (EI) is directly correlated with project success. Projects led by emotionally intelligent managers have higher completion rates, better team cohesion, and fewer conflicts.

This makes me laugh out loud given it's outdated for 2026. The reality is that modern tools, machinery, and equipment design have fundamentally shifted what the job requires. Success in these fields relies more on skill, precision, and knowledge rather than sheer strength.

Communication styles are different cross industries genders and experience. I definitely thought that I'd be heard and respected as a builder if I spoke like a bloke. WRONG. Ive found that faking it is like you are being defensive...that breeds mistrust. On the flip side, when someone shows up authentically (even if that includes asking clarifying questions or admitting uncertainty), they trigger higher trust responses. The brain reads authenticity as confidence. On a building site, this means: A woman who shows up as herself—curious, direct, collaborative—will be trusted MORE than a woman who's forcing a "tough bloke" voice. Do you have an experience of being authentic or playing a cool one of the boys roles?

Hi! I'm Naomi, founder of BPW. Before this, I spent 20 years in construction and project management—from the UK to Australia, from corporate PM work to building site reality. I've sat across the table from both the banker and the builder and I work on renovation and small new build residential projects. Now it's your turn: Please drop a comment below with: *1) Your name, *2) What brought you here (project, career, business), *3) One thing you are currently figuring out. We read every single comment. Thankyou for joining, getting to know each other is how we build community.

Welcome to Building Project Women. This is not another generic construction group. We exist because the construction industry needs more women in it—and those women deserve better than to figure it out alone. That may mean you are 1 project in, or 1000 projects in building and construction. Here, you will find: Frameworks that translate your existing competence into construction authority. Straight-talking guidance from someone who has been on the tools and in the boardroom. A community who actually get it—so you are never the only one in the room. We operate on three pillars: Construction (the systems), Communication (the language), and Confidence (the mindset). Everything here sits inside one of these three pillars. New here? Start with the pinned 'Introduce Yourself' post below. We are glad you are here.