In industries historically dominated by men – from construction and mining to infrastructure development and engineering – the growing presence of women is transforming how work gets done. The change is not just visible on organisational charts. It is reflected in how teams operate and how challenges are approached.
Serisha Sirputh, Director at LDM, a built environment consultancy firm, believes that the impact of women in technical environments goes far beyond representation. It is about diverse thinking, emotional intelligence and leadership styles that strengthen outcomes. And her view is supported by research. A McKinsey & Company report found that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to experience above-average profitability compared to those in the bottom quartile. Diverse teams, the study notes, are also more likely to outperform peers on innovation and decision-making.
Sirputh highlights seven key strengths that women bring, each increasingly essential in high-performance industries:
1. Enhanced Problem-Solving & Innovation
Diverse teams that include women approach challenges with broader perspectives, leading to more creative solutions. With a knack for collaboration, they bring fresh perspectives, involving the right people, building consensus, and seeking sustainable solutions. This approach doesn’t just fix issues — it sparks innovation and strengthens team dynamics.
2. Authenticity and Empathy
Empathy is a critical leadership trait, and studies show that women often score higher in emotional intelligence competencies, including empathy. Their authenticity further strengthens this impact, as they lead with honesty and transparency. This combination enhances trust, resolves conflicts, and fosters team cohesion, creating high-functioning teams, especially in high-stakes environments.
3. Strategic Foresight and Sustainability
Women leaders are known for their ability to think beyond immediate tasks, anticipating downstream effects and aligning projects with strategic and sustainable goals. This forward-looking perspective can reduce costly rework and ensure efficient use of time and resources.
4. Communication and Persuasion
Women leaders don’t just communicate - they connect and persuade. Effective communication is a hallmark of female leadership, and they often excel at translating complex issues into understandable actions, facilitating smoother decision-making across departments. Their inclusive and cooperative communication style and ability to connect enables them to build trust and influence stakeholders, which can reduce delays, even in complex, multi-stakeholder projects - something LDM has seen repeatedly in the hands of skilled female leaders.
5. Resilience and Adaptability
Having navigated workplaces that haven't always been welcoming, many women develop exceptional resilience and adaptability. These qualities enable them to manage change, lead through uncertainty, and stay focused in demanding conditions. Their ability to pivot, improve, or innovate in the face of challenges is invaluable in industries where agility and endurance are essential.
6. Attention to Detail Without Losing the Big Picture
Women often demonstrate the ability to focus on small but important details while maintaining awareness of broader objectives. This dual focus is particularly valuable in fields like construction and compliance, where oversight can lead to significant issues. At LDM, female leaders have played a key role in streamlining internal processes while ensuring they align with regulatory and strategic goals.
7. Breaking Stereotypes & Expanding Opportunities
The presence of women in leadership roles challenges outdated norms and paves the way for future generations to enter these industries with fewer barriers. Their success demonstrates the value of diverse perspectives and encourages more inclusive workplace cultures.
Sirputh emphasises that building gender-diverse teams is not about meeting quotas. It is about enabling different styles of leadership that drive better performance across the board. "We're not trying to fit women into outdated moulds. We're redefining what good leadership looks like, and that benefits everyone," she concludes.
