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Women Civil engineering managers stand out from the crowd. Respect is so hard to gain, but so easily lost. We all want respect, especially in our professional career, let alone women civil engineering managers in a male dominated industry. These five respect building tips for women can give them the edge.
1. Analyse your own strengths and weaknesses. When you are 'put on public display' as a manager, your every action will be scrutinised and judged. If you do not know what your strengths are, then you need to find them quickly. Women in particular can be labeled as 'floating around' or 'floundering' while they find a man to come in and do the job, which, whilst completely untrue, it is very real throughout the feelings of your staff. Recognise your problems, and head them off before they grow out of hand.
For example, if you are good with directing and influencing people but poor on the follow-up and monitoring, then the ongoing results will show a problem. Work on the areas that you are not confident in, or that you may have poor results in. Realise there is nothing wrong with having weaknesses, your strongest point should be the ability to admit this fact, in other words, get additional help (from your staff) on those weak points. If you don't work on strengthening or managing your weaker skills, then ultimately they will be used against you when times get tough. Like all environments, 'get a few runs on the board' and prove yourself will certainly go a long way to secure your position.
For example, if you are good with directing and influencing people but poor on the follow-up and monitoring, then the ongoing results will show a problem. Work on the areas that you are not confident in, or that you may have poor results in. Realise there is nothing wrong with having weaknesses, your strongest point should be the ability to admit this fact, in other words, get additional help (from your staff) on those weak points. If you don't work on strengthening or managing your weaker skills, then ultimately they will be used against you when times get tough. Like all environments, 'get a few runs on the board' and prove yourself will certainly go a long way to secure your position.
2. Recognise the skills and strengths and weaknesses of your staff. Extracting this information might be difficult, but constant talks and getting to know your staff will reveal their traits very quickly. If you want a great cross section and honest opinions about people, then ask their colleagues what they think. You are not after the 'gossip', but rather the descriptive quality observations about the staff. By finding your staff strength and weaknesses, you can shape the whole team to perform better. As a woman you will have a different point of view of staff from your male counterparts. This should be used in the best way possible, that is, you may see something that others don't see. Respect is gained when you fit the team together that works well, or rectify or change a team with improved productivity.
3. Knowing when to be 'one of the boys' and when to stop the party. This is probably one the hardest things to master. Everyone likes to be 'accepted' both on a professional and personal level. In the civil engineering field the 'boys' and conversation can get a little rough and 'risque', especially towards women. Trying to fit in will often lead to trouble, and disrespect in the future. You gain most respect from being yourself, and having a laugh with everyone in a relaxed atmosphere until they perhaps start belittling each other or you. It is then time to excuse yourself and announce that you must get back to work as you have something urgent that you need to do. It is never good to partake of office gossip unless you are there to quench the fuel and disqualify the rumours. Sticking with this guideline early in the piece establishes you are a respectful person both for yourself and others. Cross this line early and you may have a hard time regaining credibility and respect.
4. Moderating dress sense. Regardless of your impression of the general office, the office will have a general impression on you based on your dress sense. You need to be recognised for your engineering and management abilities, not your designers clothes and fashion dress sense. This is always a difficult topic, as you will be judged no matter which way you look at it. Dress to skimpy or revealing and you will be judged with a less palatable reputation, however too conservative and you will be considered to strict and an absolute academic and a bore with no heart. It must be a fine balance, especially when surrounded by over zealous excitable professionals in the civil industry. Now I am not suggesting that the civil engineering world is all brawn and full of testosterone, but you have to be careful in a male dominated industry based on a construction background. Your dress standard is a tricky issue that needs careful attention.
5. Stating your authority should be related back to the overall management board. In difficult or precarious conversation it may be beneficial to restate the backing of the overall management board with this decision. The reason for this 'superficial statement' is that you are seen to be supported by the overall board, which may seem unnecessary at the time, it reaffirms in your staff's mind that the board is happy with your decision, especially as a women in the predominantly male industry. This helps avoid or reduce the descriptive adjectives that may be flung your way upon your meeting departures. Without offense, it is simply a respect building exercise as some men feel threatened or intimidated by females in positions of power. Respect is a two way street, show respect to your team and office staff, and they will invariably reciprocate that level of respect, especially if you are 'endorsed and backed' by the management board.
Your role as a civil engineering manager can be very rewarding and noticed when you have a team that respects you and works with you. In fact, you will probably stand out as a force to be reckoned with as a female in the male dominated industry. People will be happy to deal with a woman engineer that both listens, and delivers the engineering results on time to budget in a professional manner. Thank to David J Cummings
