Not long after my husband and I moved our family to Pittsburgh, we had the realization that we had gone weeks—months!—without someone asking us what we do for work. This was striking coming from the career-driven atmosphere in Washington, D.C., where that often was one of the first questions asked in conversation.
At this point I have an idea of what our neighbors or the parents of our son’s friends do for a living, but we don’t talk much about work. It’s refreshing in a way, although a session I attended at the recent NAHB International Builders’ Show has me thinking otherwise.
During the “Punch List: 18 Ideas for Inspiring the Next Generation” session, Jeff Shore, founder of Shore Consulting, delivered the first idea to the audience. He started off by gushing about a vacation he and his wife took before pausing to ask attendees to raise their hand if they now wanted to travel to that destination.
I can’t recall where they traveled (sorry, Jeff), but what did stick with me was what he said next.
“When we are passionate about something, we talk about it,” he stated. “How many of you are passionate about home building? Have you let anybody know? Because there is no question about it, we are so underserved, we need people in our industry. You know what draws people to our industry more than anything else? YOU. The industry needs your passion above everything else.”
Let that sink in for a moment.
Following IBS, I said one of the things I loved most was the passion for the industry felt throughout those three days in Las Vegas. Energy was high. It was the reinvigoration I didn’t realize I needed until it struck, and perhaps that was true for some of you as well.
Another post-IBS reflection? Five former bosses of mine also were in attendance. How special this industry must be, indeed, for all of them to have chosen to continue their careers in this space. If in the room, they, too, would have raised their hands when Shore asked who is passionate about home building.
This month, Women in Construction Week celebrated its 25th year. Its “Many Paths, One Mission” theme is a nod to the journeys taken toward strengthening the success of women in the industry. Women make up just 11% of the construction workforce, according to the NAHB. The number is growing, but not quickly enough.
All five aforementioned bosses have been influential mentors over the years, but it’s not lost on me that three of the five editors are smart, strong, spirited women who showed me what’s possible, supported my journey, and continue to set the bar high. Thank you Claire Conroy, Denise Dersin, and Jean Dimeo for unfailingly sharing your passion.
As Shore said, we need people in our industry, and the industry needs our passion. So join me—perhaps in person at our upcoming build-to-rent forecast in Dallas or at Builder 100 in California—and let’s talk about home building.
