Leadership in construction doesn’t fail because of a lack of talent. It fails when capable people are overlooked, overextended or quietly pushed to the margins by systems that haven’t kept up with the workforce doing the work.
At CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, the session Leading Ladies: Practical Strategies to Overcome Challenges and Manage It All presented by Karli Langner public relations manager at Command Alkon and Lindsay Fife Berthelot, president and CEO at Sorrento Lumber & Concrete, delivers clear, actionable strategies contractors can use to reduce bias, strengthen mentorship and develop capable leaders at every level, regardless of gender.
“When they see women operating with authority, clarity and respect, not just titles, it signals that construction offers real opportunity, not just entry-level access.”
Lindsay Berthelot
CEO at Sorrento Lumber & Concrete
OVERCOMING BIAS AND OTHER CHALLENGES
Bias in construction leadership is rarely overt. More often, it shows up in subtle ways: how readiness is judged, how mistakes are remembered and how trust is extended. Women are frequently evaluated based on past performance, while others are assessed on future potential. Expectations shift without being named, and standards are applied unevenly.
The impact isn’t always obvious, but it’s costly. Talent stalls. Confidence erodes. Teams lose momentum.
Reducing bias starts with removing subjectivity. When expectations, performance standards and decision criteria are clearly defined, leadership becomes measurable, and credibility no longer depends on perception alone.
Clarity doesn’t just support women. It strengthens entire teams by creating consistency, accountability and fairness across the organization.
“When bias is reduced, teams perform better,” Karli says, “and companies keep their talent longer.”
LEADERSHIP STARTS BEFORE THE TITLE
Many women in construction step into leadership long before they are formally recognized as leaders. They manage people, projects and problems often without the authority or resources to match the responsibility.
This dynamic is especially common at the middle-management level, where leaders absorb pressure from every direction. Without clear priorities and aligned authority, burnout becomes inevitable, even for high performers.
When leaders are supported instead of stretched thin, organizations see stronger execution, better decision-making and healthier teams.
“When they see women operating with authority, clarity and respect, not just titles, it signals that construction offers real opportunity, not just entry-level access,” Lindsay says.
Companies that achieve this alignment also send a clear message to the next generation watching closely to see whether leadership roles are realistic and supported over time.
MENTORSHIP MATTERS
Mentorship is often treated as a program or a checkbox, but for women in construction, the most meaningful mentorship happens in real time inside real decisions.
Effective mentorship looks like being invited into the room, exposed to tradeoffs and trusted with accountability. It’s about understanding not just what decisions are made, but why.
“That’s how future leaders are built,” Lindsey says.
Learning how the right mentorship accelerates leadership growth helps build confidence grounded in experience, not reassurance.
STRONGER TEAMS ARE BUILT TOGETHER
Leadership without limits isn’t achieved by one group alone. Collaboration across gender, experience and role strengthens decision-making and team culture.
Men play an important role as allies by listening, asking questions and using their influence to challenge inconsistency when it appears. Inclusion works best when it’s treated as shared responsibility, not a separate initiative.
“Progress accelerates when men and women collaborate, bringing different experiences and perspectives together to make stronger decisions and healthier teams,” Karli says.
When done right, the outcome for your team is resilience, trust and better leadership at every level.
WHY THIS SESSION MATTERS NOW
Leadership gaps don’t close on their own. Without intention, they widen; costing companies talent, consistency and trust.
This session is designed for contractors who want to build stronger teams by addressing leadership challenges at their root. It offers practical insight drawn from real construction environments and real leadership experience.
Progress doesn’t require perfection. Small, consistent leadership actions compound over time.
“That’s where real change happens,” Karli says.
This session offers an opportunity to step back, reflect and rethink how leadership is developed, supported and sustained.
Editor’s Note: Celebrate Women in Construction Week® with us all week long at CONEXPO-CON/AGG.
Seats are limited at sessions, so don’t miss the chance to talk with Karli and Lindsay in person the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 session, Leading Ladies: Practical Strategies to Overcome Challenges and Manage It All. Register today.
Photo Courtesy of Sorrento Lumber & Concrete
