HS2, Vaccines, and Beyond: Ruth Todd on Managing Mega Projects
20 August, 2024In the latest GSC Executives podcast, host Caitlin Tye sits down with Ruth Todd, former Chief Commercial Officer at HS2. Her career journey offers a treasure trove of insights for those of us in construction and engineering.
Ruth's story is one of breaking barriers. Starting in the automotive industry as one of few female managers, she's no stranger to challenging norms. As a champion of team diversity, not just for ticking boxes but for bringing different perspectives to the table, Ruth's approach to leadership shows how vital different perspectives are for problem-solving.
"The best teams I've been involved in have been diverse... in protected characteristics, experience, age. There are lots of different things that contribute to different ways of thinking. So there are some things that really matter. So you have to be prepared to play the team game. You can't come in with your own agenda, whatever your background."
Ruth's insights on embracing new technologies, particularly AI and machine learning, are spot on for a constantly evolving industry, but she also emphasises the importance of humility in leadership – a crucial trait for anyone managing a diverse team, no matter the site.
Want to hear more on Ruth's leadership philosophy?
Caitlin Tye's conversation with Ruth has valuable takeaways for construction and engineering professionals looking to elevate their leadership:
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