Episode #36
Construction Protects the Body. But What About the Person?
Construction has spent decades improving physical safety. Hard hats. Harnesses. Glasses. Training. Procedures. PPE. But what about the things we can't see? In this episode of Activating Curiosity™ , Ryan Ware sits down with Dina Fodero , speaker, certified Enneagram Practitioner, and creator of I-PPE™ (Invisible Personal Protective Essentials), to explore the human side of safety in construction. Together, they unpack why protecting people may require us to think beyond physical safety to psychological safety, mental health, belonging, communication, relationships, and the experiences people carry with them into work every day. Drawing from Dina's experience building and leading a business centered around women, the conversation explores what happens when people feel supported, respected, and safe enough to grow—and what those lessons might teach an industry still working to create stronger cultures for women and men alike. Dina's own experience of feeling like an outsider became an important influence on how she approached culture, belonging, and helping others thrive. The conversation also challenges the idea that communication, empathy, emotional intelligence, and other human skills are somehow "soft." Because navigating the complexity of ourselves and the people around us may be some of the hardest work we do. From women supporting women and men becoming better allies to leadership, workplace culture, mental health, and the invisible factors influencing retention, this episode asks construction leaders to widen the way we think about keeping people safe. Because what we don't see doesn't mean it isn't happening. What You'll Learn Why physical safety may be only one part of protecting people at work What Dina means by I-PPE™ and Invisible Personal Protective Essentials How psychological safety and belonging influence construction culture Why human skills for construction leaders deserve the same attention as technical skills What women in construction experience when they feel isolated or like outsiders How women can support other women without protecting their own "seat at the table" Why men have an important role as allies How leaders can better understand people's strengths, blind spots, and communication styles Why culture can't be created through one-time training or onboarding How mental health and the invisible experiences people carry affect both women and men in construction Who This Episode Is For Construction leaders, general contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, project managers, field leaders, HR and people leaders, women in construction, male allies, and AEC professionals interested in psychological safety, mental health in construction, workplace belonging, emotional intelligence, leadership development, construction culture, and the human side of the built environment. Chapters 00:00 — Construction Protects the Body. But What About the Person? 04:59 — Learning That Culture Matters as Much as Technical Skill 09:?? — Creating a Culture Where People Feel Safe to Grow 15:16 — Hiring People With Heart 23:27 — We Don't Leave Our Lives at the Door When We Go to Work 28:21 — Women in Construction Don't Need to Navigate It Alone 32:36 — There's Nothing Soft About Human Skills 34:44 — Leaders Have to Remember They're Leading People 42:22 — Culture Isn't a One-Time Training 46:31 — There's Enough Room on the Beam 47:42 — The Invisible Challenges Affect Men Too 52:20 — What We Don't See Doesn't Mean It Isn't Happening Guest Dina Fodero is a speaker, certified Enneagram Practitioner, and creator of I-PPE™ (Invisible Personal Protective Essentials) and Dare to D.R.E.A.M.™, frameworks focused on emotional and mental safety, human connection, and personal growth. With more than 20 years of experience in leadership, communication, education, and personal development, Dina helps individuals and teams better understand the invisible factors influencing how people think, communicate, lead, and experience work. Her work has a particular focus on supporting women in construction while also encouraging stronger mentorship, allyship, and human connection across teams. Her belief is simple: PPE protects the body. I-PPE protects the person. https://www.dinafodero.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/dina-fodero-85056835/ Overcast Innovations Helping project teams coordinate building systems earlier for more predictable outcomes. New Lyfe Accounting Free Diagnostic ($500 value) for Activating Curiosity Listeners by NLA, to help your financial goals Connective Consulting Group Helping construction leaders simplify change, strengthen trust, and move forward with clarity. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Have feedback or stories to share? Drop us a note or leave a VM —we’re listening! Follow Ryan at the following: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryankware/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/connective-consulting-group-llc https://connectiveconsultinggrp.com/ https://connective-coaching.com/ https://ryanware.me/ Don't miss out on future episodes! Follow & subscribe now to our newsletter and stay informed about the latest trends and insights in the construction industry. If this show helps you, please consider supporting it. Just $3/month helps cover production and keeps the conversations going. ⭐ “Love the show? Toss some stars my way, it’s the easiest applause ever.
