The Importance of Bringing Your Whole Self to Work

By Cloteen Jasmin, senior vice president, market leader - Atlanta

Sheryl Sandberg was once quoted saying, "Bring your whole self to work. I don't believe we have a professional self Monday through Friday and a real self the rest of the time. It is all professional, and it is all personal." She is right, and it's time we all started being real with ourselves. For decades, women, people of color, and those who consider ourselves "different" have had to mask our true selves in the workplace to not make our counterparts feel uncomfortable. In doing so, we've changed our appearance, we've changed our speech, and in some cases, suppressed elements of our culture to blend in. We've prioritized the comfort of others over our own comfort.

Thankfully, the tides are turning 

As a historically male-dominated industry, a welcome change is occurring in the construction world. Construction jobs are being filled by a talent pool that has more women candidates than ever before. At Ryan, we have seen an increase in women applicants applying for jobs within our construction and development divisions. We're thrilled to continue to build diverse teams that bring a broader and more cutting-edge view to our real estate projects, ultimately helping our clients to build and generate long-term value. For example, women made up 30% of all new hires at Ryan in 2021. This is an increase from 20% in 2020.

Our differences make us stronger

We work hard to create an accepting environment for all Ryan employees to be their authentic selves because we believe in the principle of bringing your "whole" self to work. In today's world, companies who foster a culture that not just permits but celebrates employees who dare to be authentic and transparent will have a leg up on their competitors. In fact, a report from McKinsey & Co. reveals that the most gender-diverse companies are more likely to achieve a higher increase in profitability and financial performance than their leading competitors. Innovation and inclusion go hand in hand, and it's never been more true than right now in the construction industry.

Changing perceptions and culture 

Currently, there are about 1.1 million women in construction in the US. While diversity levels are still lacking, more women are trying to claim their seats at the table than ever before. Specifically, at Ryan, 19% of our leadership roles, titled Director or higher, are held by women. Women are making great strides in leadership roles, with many female construction executives and managers entering those roles in the past five years. With more women making efforts to change the landscape in the construction industry, companies are taking steps to become more diverse and inclusive for the generations to come. Efforts to educate young women on the benefits of working in the construction industry have increased, with more local classes, workshops, or apprenticeship programs that help women prepare for a job in construction, offering industry-specific training or job-specific skills. Professional women's organizations such as CREW, NAWIC, and PWC have also been created to cultivate a better sense of community and connect, encourage, and even mentor others. 

Today, we understand that these characteristics of authenticity and transparency are actually what define and connect us the most. When we bring our whole selves to work and share our unique, diverse backgrounds, it's easier to find true commonalities with our colleagues. Women in Construction & Development can now look at the horizon of the coming years with confidence, knowing real and meaningful changes are being made that will enable their true, authentic selves to shine in an industry primed for new ideas and imagination.