Comments on: How can construction firms make their executive teams more ethnically diverse?

By: Bill Addington

Bill Addington — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 06:23:52 +0000

In reply to Jeffrey Smith. As commendably diverse the group may be it is noted that 80% of the participants appear to be of BAME ethnicity which is significantly at odds with the national figure of 18%. While being a strong advocate of greater diversity in our industry I do sometimes wonder if the topic has become a little overblown. And I agree, a smile or two would have helped their arguments no end!

By: David Howard

David Howard — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 14:07:02 +0000

“Stop stereotyping, there is no definition of a leader,” An extraordinary statement from the head of profession and at a conference where, if the article is to be believed leadership was discussed. The (British) Army Leadership Code An Introductory Guide defines the following 7 leadership behaviours as:

• Lead by example
• Encourage thinking
• Apply reward and discipline
• Demand high performance
• Encourage confidence in the team
• Recognise individual strengths and
weaknesses
• Strive for team goals

A good starting point, I would have thought. It is incredible, it would seem, to have a President who has not studied the wealth of published material available on leadership and not formulated her own definition of a leader and leadership style.

By: Jeffrey Smith

Jeffrey Smith — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 08:09:21 +0000

The picture at the top of this story may well be commendably ethnically diverse but they do look a rather unhappy bunch. Cheer up folks, despite all the gloom and terror in the World at the moment!