Episode 22 - Helen Collie

In this episode of Recon, host Bev Williams speaks with Helen Collie, a partner at HKA and a chartered structural engineer. Helen shares her journey in the construction industry, discussing her transition into leadership, the importance of establishing boundaries between work and home life, and the challenges she faced, including the loss of her father. She emphasises the value of having a supportive team and the lessons learned from her experiences, including embracing one's uniqueness and the significance of shared values in a Collie environment. In this conversation, Helen and Bev discuss the significant gender pay gap in the construction industry, the importance of representation and visibility for women in engineering, and the need for a cultural shift to support women in STEM fields. They explore the concept of failure, emphasising the importance of learning from experiences rather than letting them define one's worth. Helen shares her journey and insights on how to encourage more girls to pursue engineering, while also reflecting on her own career and the challenges faced along the way.Helen’s experiences highlight the importance of authentic leadership in the construction industry. By embracing her leadership style, setting boundaries, and prioritising self-care, she not only enhances her own well-being but also fosters a supportive environment for her team. Aspiring leaders can learn valuable lessons from Helen’s journey, reminding us that leadership is about more than just a title; it’s about being true to oneself and empowering others.Takeaways·      Leadership allows for personal expression and doing things one's own way.·      Establishing boundaries is crucial for work-life balance.·      Grief can impact career direction and stability.·      Supportive work environments are essential for well-being.·      Having a solid team with shared values is invaluable.·      Failure to execute is not the end of the world.·      It's important to learn to share the load with a team.·      Embracing uniqueness can lead to personal satisfaction.·      Celebrating one's weirdness is a positive trait. Words can have a lasting impact on young minds.·      Statistics often hide deeper cultural issues.·      Failure can be reframed as a learning opportunity.·      Visibility of women in engineering is crucial for future generations.·      Encouraging girls to consider STEM is essential for change.·      It's important to enjoy the journey and successes in your career.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Helen Collie05:05 Reinventing Leadership and Personal Growth08:15 Establishing Boundaries in Work and Life13:09 Navigating Grief and Career Challenges19:08 Support Systems in the Workplace24:52 Lessons Learned from Team Dynamics27:15 Embracing Uniqueness and Overcoming Insults32:00 Gender Pay Gap in Construction38:07 Redefining Failure43:00 Visibility and Representation in Engineering