A New Era for Construction Starts with Rethinking Leadership
The construction industry stands at a pivotal moment. Labor shortages, burnout, and evolving workforce expectations demand more than incremental change—they require a redefinition of leadership itself.
Building Better: Rethinking Leadership in Construction uncovers what’s missing in today’s leadership pipeline—and how expanding who gets access to leadership could transform the future of the industry
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“Radical change is needed and the group lacks the cohesive focus and leadership support to make any meaningful changes.”
– Building Better Respondent
What’s Inside the Report?
Leadership isn’t just about business success—it’s the reason people stay or leave. When asked what’s pushing them out of the industry, the majority of women point to poor leadership as the driving factor. If companies want to solve their workforce challenges, they need to start by rethinking leadership.
- Companies say they’re developing leaders. Women disagree.
42% of women say their company’s leadership programs fail to address the challenges they face or help them advance their careers. - Mentorship exists, but it’s not enough.
63% of companies say they offer mentorship programs, but only 37% of women report having access to one. Even when they do, mentorship alone doesn’t provide career-defining opportunities. - Sponsorship is the missing piece.
Only 31% of companies have a formal sponsorship program. Without direct advocacy, too many high-potential employees get overlooked for leadership roles and high-profile projects. - ERGs won’t fix this.
35% of women say their company’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) don’t help them advance—yet companies continue to rely on them as a leadership development tool. - The real issue? How we choose leaders.
The industry still prioritizes transactional leadership skills—execution, authority, and control—while overlooking the transformational leadership skills that actually drive results. - The companies rethinking leadership are seeing real results.
Organizations that embrace transformational leadership see: - 30% higher retention, stronger financial performance, more innovation, increased safety, and better team morale.
Get the full report to learn what’s working—and what needs to change.
How This Report Can Help You Lead Change
Who is this for?
This report is essential reading for:
- Executives & HR Leaders building the next generation of talent.
- Project Managers & Sponsors advocating for high-potential talent.
- Women in Construction seeking data-backed strategies for advancement.
“More support from leadership – actual support to enact plans, not just a token name of the senior leadership sponsor on the poster.”
– Building Better Respondent
About Building Better
Building Better is a collaborative research initiative between Ambition Theory and The National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) created to provide the construction industry with critical insights and actionable strategies for workforce development and leadership advancement.
Building Better explores timely challenges and opportunities, with a special focus on ensuring that all individuals—particularly women—have the support, pathways, and leadership opportunities needed to thrive. Each report delivers data-driven recommendations to help companies drive meaningful, lasting change in how they attract, retain, and develop talent.
Download your copy of the report
I agree to allow Ambition Theory LLC or National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) to contact me. I may withdraw my consent at any time through the unsubscribe link.
About NCCER
The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) education foundation created in 1996. It was developed with the support of more than 125 construction CEOs and various associations and academic leaders who united to revolutionize training for the construction industry. Sharing the common goal of developing a safe and productive workforce, these companies created a standardized training and credentialing program for the industry. This progressive program has evolved into curricula for more than 40 craft areas and a complete series of journey-level assessments offered in over 4,000 NCCER-accredited training and assessment locations across the United States. Learn more at nccer.org.
About Ambition Theory
At Ambition Theory, we’re dedicated to driving systemic change in the construction industry. We offer leadership training and coaching that equips individuals with the transformational leadership skills essential for advancement. We firmly believe that it is the responsibility of industry leaders and companies to create a more inclusive and diverse environment, and we work collaboratively with organizations to make this a reality. By sharing our expertise and proven approach, we’re able to shift the burden of change from individual women to the industry as a whole. Listen to our Women in Construction podcast and learn more at AmbitionTheory.com.
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