“We need to start seeing cultural issues the way we do health and safety. It’s a standard expectation, not a competitive advantage.”
These words from my counterpart across the Tasman, ACE New Zealand CEO Helen Davidson, capture the essence of a series of conversations I’ve had this month.
We know culture is a big barrier for Australia’s construction industry. But a poll of delegates at the Australian Constructors Association’s inaugural Foundations and Frontiers (FF24) forum this month ranked it equal with poor productivity as the construction industry’s biggest challenge – and ahead of financial sustainability.
As ACA CEO Jon Davies noted in the FF24 opening address: “We need to push the frontiers for acceptable outcomes in areas like industry culture, diversity, productivity and profitability – and we need to do this quickly.”
Later in the day, Engineers Australia CEO Romilly Madew observed that issues of “stagnant productivity, poor mental health, lack of diversity and financial sustainability” are “deeply interrelated” and, therefore, require holistic solutions.
That’s why I’m so proud of the work of the Consult Australia Champions of Change. Last week we held our annual lunch, and a record number of business leaders of member companies big and small came together to talk about the holistic solutions we can embrace together.
Our guest speakers included Susanne Legena, CEO of Plan International, who shared findings from the groundbreaking Gender Compass report. This identifies opportunities for influence with all Australians, whether they fall into the 19% of ‘trailblazers’ who think gender equality is everyone’s business or the 17% of ‘rejectors’ who think gender equality has gone too far.
We also heard from David Leser, author of ‘Women, Men and the Whole Damn Thing’, who spoke powerfully about the opportunities to engage men in “leading where we have a chance to lead”.
Consult Australia’s Champions of Change Group continues to lead purposeful work towards a more diverse and inclusive culture, and I extend my personal thanks to outgoing Chair, SMEC’s James Phillis, and warmly welcome our new Chair, Arup’s Kerryn Coker.
You can read more about Kerryn Coker’s priorities for the Consult Australia Champions of Change Group in this issue of Consulting Matters, as well as an interview with ACE New Zealand’s Helen Davidson and a roundup of the key insights from FF24.
This bumper issue of our newsletter reflects a busy month, including advocacy wins, an expansion of our work in the defence sector and input into the next iteration of the National Construction Code.
Looking ahead, we are launching the Consult Australia Awards for Excellence program and the Digital by Default paper in the months ahead. So, watch this space.
I’ll leave you with one thought. We inherited the construction industry culture of today, but we aren’t stuck with it. It’s up to each of us to progress practical actions that drive the change we want to see in our culture – one where everyone is welcome.