Balancing Life In Construction: Practical Lessons for Industry Leaders

In the construction industry, it's no secret that among the excitement of building major projects can also be an environment where high-pressure and tight deadlines are the norm.

For many executives, finding a workable balance between professional demands and personal commitments is an ongoing challenge.

In our recent episode of the Building Doors Podcast , Emma McCaughey shares her approach to managing these pressures—offering practical insights for leaders in our field.

Early Experiences and Building Support Networks

Her career began in an environment where most of the other students where men and coming from an All Girls School, Emma found herself in a position where she was one of only a few women in the classroom.

Recognising early on that a strong support network was essential, she and her fellow female classmates banded together to navigate the challenges they faced.

This early experience underscored the value of collaboration and mutual support—an approach that remains relevant throughout her career and remains a crucial part of her advocacy work with NAWIC QLD - National Association of Women in Construction .

Learning the Realities of On-Site Demands

After graduation, Emma was quickly assigned to major projects and wholeheartedly enjoyed the challenges. From accompanying divers to review QA work through to providing insight on methodology and building many diverse projects across the infrastructure industry- Emma was hooked.

Her first assignment at Fisherman’s Island provided a clear view of the industry’s demands: long hours on site, rigorous deadlines, and the constant pressure to deliver.

Emma's passion to commit to delivering a high-quality project whilst also managing the handover process in the FIFO period proved to be one of the most pivotal professional and personal challenges she would face as a leader.

While working on FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) projects in Darwin, the extended travel and long work hours began to affect her family life significantly.

Faced with the added stress of fertility treatments and personal loss, she realised that the approach to managing the industry’s demands were taking a toll on her well-being.

This experience prompted a critical reassessment of how the way she managed her work would impact her time off site and the crucial importance delegation and time management would play in her next phase of leadership.

The Importance of Delegation and Time Management

Following this turning point, she shifted her focus from striving for perfection in every detail to managing her time more effectively. The key was to set clear daily priorities and delegate tasks where possible. By planning her day around essential work commitments and preserving time for family, she found a way to meet project deadlines without sacrificing personal well-being.

Her method is straightforward: every morning, she outlines the critical tasks for the day, delegates responsibilities to her team, and sticks to a strict schedule. This disciplined approach not only ensures project success but also protects the time needed for family and personal recovery.

Redefining Success in Construction

Today, she measures success by both her professional achievements and her ability to maintain a healthy personal life.

Her experience demonstrates that focusing on key priorities and trusting capable team members can lead to better outcomes on both fronts.

For her, a successful day is one where important projects are completed without compromising the time reserved for family and where she is able to also contribute and commit her time to advocacy and volunteer work- ensuring a more diverse and sustainable industry for us all.

Emma sharing her story offers several practical lessons for leaders in the construction industry:

• Establish Clear Priorities: Identify the most critical tasks each day and focus on completing them first.
• Delegate Effectively: Trust your team with responsibilities to prevent burnout and ensure smooth project execution. Recognise the perfection tendencies and find contingencies of managing your team to deliver and understand what is expected of them even when you aren't physically present on site.
• Plan Rigorously: A structured daily schedule helps manage the high demands of construction projects while preserving personal time and ensures the important work always gets done.
• Balance Professional and Personal Goals: Redefine success to include both career achievements and personal well-being, Emma reflecting on her kaleidoscope wheel through a coaching leadership exercise identified for her an inherent need to give back and contribute to the industry which is where she increased her involvement in NAWIC and advocacy in the industry.

In an industry characterised by exciting projects means we can also be met with relentless deadlines and high stakes, so maintaining a balanced life is challenging but achievable.

By setting clear priorities, delegating tasks, and planning meticulously, leaders can empower and create a more sustainable work environment in the long term.

Emma's approach reminds us that as much as Construction remains a passion for many- as the industry continues to be navigating changing conditions, project delays and then future project ramp ups- the need the step back, reflect and put ourselves into a planned and proactive mindset is now important than ever.

Want to hear more about Emma McCaughey 's career journey? Listen on the Building Doors Podcast where we discuss this topic and more in this weeks episode.