122 episodes

The podcast where the world's leading thinkers share their ideas about how to create greatness. Great leaders, great teams and great organizations. Why be good when you can be great!

Greatness Podcast Gretchen Gagel

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 2 Ratings

The podcast where the world's leading thinkers share their ideas about how to create greatness. Great leaders, great teams and great organizations. Why be good when you can be great!

    Greatness Podcast (Ep 121) | Suzanne Arkel Discusses DEI in the Construction Industry

    Greatness Podcast (Ep 121) | Suzanne Arkel Discusses DEI in the Construction Industry

    My good friend Suzanne Arkel is a remarkable woman who has devoted her 25 year career to driving inclusivity in large construction programs. I asked Suzanne, who identifies as African American, to rate the inclusivity of the construction industry on a scale of 1 (low) to 4 (high), and I appreciate her answer - "It's a two-and-a-half . . . if there were no specification or contractual requirements, it would be a zero . . . ". Suzanne shares her insights on how we can all help small business and underrepresented communities thrive in our industry. 

    • 38 min
    Greatness Podcast (Ep. 120) | Laura Miranda Discusses Her Podcast "You Don't Look Like an Engineer"

    Greatness Podcast (Ep. 120) | Laura Miranda Discusses Her Podcast "You Don't Look Like an Engineer"

    I have a deep appreciation for people who immigrate from one country to another. I've learned, it's hard! I can't imagine doing it as a 17-year-old who doesn't speak the language. Laura Miranda joined the Greatness Podcast to share her journey from Columbia to Australia and how that led her to a two-year technical degree and to co-founding the podcast called "You Don't Look Like an Engineer". I am always grateful for the opportunity to meet people like Laura who step up as leaders to improve our industry. Laura's story is remarkable, wise beyond her years with incredible insights to share with us. I also encourage you to listen to Laura and her co-founder Sohan Roopra on their podcast as they share remarkable stories that help us understand diversity, equity, and inclusion in the construction industry. 

    • 29 min
    Greatness Podcast (Ep 119) | Erica Jones Discusses Women's Leadership in Construction

    Greatness Podcast (Ep 119) | Erica Jones Discusses Women's Leadership in Construction

    Women lifting up other women in the construction industry is critical to our efforts to be a more inclusive industry. As part of my journey of making new construction industry friends in Kansas City I met the amazing Erica Jones, Vice President of MMC Corporation and Founder of On The Rise. This incredible program elevates women in the construction industry during a half-day workshop. Erica is a wonderful example of someone who beyond leading marketing for a $1.2 billion company also steps up as a volunteer to lead change in our industry. Erica joined the Greatness Podcast to share many examples of how to support the success of women and minorities, intentionally, in our industry; and also shares her success in building the marketing team for MMC as the organization grew from $300 million to their current size. Her advice to women - be advocates for other women, lift women up, be a mentor, pay it forward. Let's embrace that we bring different things to the table - it makes every organization better.

    • 38 min
    Special Episode: Women in Construction Week Audio Summit 2024 Preview

    Special Episode: Women in Construction Week Audio Summit 2024 Preview

    I strongly encourage those of you in the construction industry (all genders) to join myself and five other amazing construction industry podcasters for the free inaugural Women in Construction Week Audio Summit 2024!

    Join creator Barb Allen and myself for a preview of the Audio Summit on the Greatness podcast and sign up here - https://constructionbarb.ck.page/8c2e8cf8f1. I'll be talking about unconscious bias, a favorite topic. 

    • 14 min
    Greatness Podcast (Ep 118) | Bill Proudman of White Men as Full Diversity Partners Discusses Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

    Greatness Podcast (Ep 118) | Bill Proudman of White Men as Full Diversity Partners Discusses Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

    Bill Proudman co-founded White Men as Full Diversity Partners (WMFDP) 30 years ago to work with leaders at the intersection of equity and inclusion - helping leaders be the stewards of an inclusive culture with courage, consciousness, and competency. Bill is a white man who had the courage to "follow his heart" three decades ago when he realized that a "whole bunch of people around the globe were having a very different experience than I was" and these differences were not "out there", they were important to him. WMFDP works with leaders on creating a culture where people feel they belong - feel seen, connected, proud, and supported. This isn't about attacking or criticizing white men. "This isn't a blame and shame game". It's a system where certain people have "systemic unearned benefits" and we as leaders need to be present to that in working towards inclusion. 

    • 35 min
    Greatness Podcast (Ep 117) | Steve Davies and Cara Robb Discuss the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association Womens Leadership Development Program

    Greatness Podcast (Ep 117) | Steve Davies and Cara Robb Discuss the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association Womens Leadership Development Program

    Have you ever experienced a man apologizing for an all-male panel at a conference? Five years ago while attending my first Australian Pipelines and Gas (APGA) Conference in Darwin I saw APGA CEO Steve Davies do just that. Steve was so proud of the fact that he had convinced many of the industry's top leaders to come to Darwin for a senior leader panel, and then it sank in - no woman. And Steve said that on stage - I'm embarrassed that there isn't a woman on this panel and we, as an industry, can do better.
    Steve's courageous statement created the spark for my work with APGA to develop the Women's Leadership Development Program modeled after a similar program at the American Gas Association. Our first cohort sold out in 24hrs, and as Steve says, ". . . women in the industry were crying out for something that was targeted at them and their experience in the industry." Our purpose - to retain women in the pipeline industry and provide them with the skills they need to continue to advance their careers.

    Seven cohorts and 175 women later the outcomes of the program make my heart sing. One participant told me that after 10 years of a stalled career she's had two promotions in two years, and 90% of the participants report an increase in confidence. Steve also comments in the podcast that the program has inspired member companies to pay more attention to and place greater value on inclusion.

    • 35 min

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