Nikki Greenberg is an internationally known futurist and innovation strategist who helps companies prepare for tomorrow. She will be a featured speaker at the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Annual Conference taking place August 20-23 in Boston, Massachusetts. The theme of the conference is “Together we rise.” Greenberg recently shared some of the concepts she will be talking about at the conference.
She begins by pointing out that most industries are facing generational change. These are changes in company values, changes in the work force, and evolving customer expectations. Another topic is emerging technologies, which are bringing about rapid changes. “These are things like artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and spatial computing,” she explains. “I will also address how organizational leaders can prepare themselves for the future, including what internal changes need to be embraced in order to be more future-forward.”
Greenberg sees women setting examples as crucial to their growth in the construction industry saying, “I think one of the important things—whether its traditional construction or future construction—is that there has to be that role modeling, because there’s that great phrase, ‘You can’t be what you can’t see.’ Let’s say we have more construction robots on site. Who’s operating them? Are we getting a pipeline of talent coming in saying, ‘Well actually that’s what I want to do. Look at that cool person over there. I want to be like her.’”
Understand what’s happening, find your place, and have fun
To prepare for the future, Greenberg suggests several key elements. The first is developing an understanding of the trends and technology shaping the industry. She notes that this could be about how AI is making certain elements of construction more efficient, or it could be changes in the workforce.
Second, she says, is what to do about it. “This is figuring out how you as a leader or an organization can innovate and adapt to this evolving world.”
Next is that in this landscape of emerging technologies “everybody has a place, even a seasoned vet can have a place in the future. Don’t think there isn’t a place for you. What you’re building today must stand the test of time. A futuristic mindset is not just for 20-year-olds. People in construction are problem solvers and have an intrinsically forward-looking mindset.”
Lastly, she encourages people to see that the future is fun and to seek out the new things that are possible. Using humanoid robots on construction sites is one example. Another is the contest that NASA recently held to design and build a habitat using simulated Martian dust as a principal building material. She notes, “Lessons learned from this exercise on earth could be used for space exploration. What else can we do today to be future-ready tomorrow? And that’s whether it’s the more pragmatic elements like adapting to AI, or the wilder futuristic stuff, like worksite robots and building a habitat on Mars.”
Kelly Aust, President of NAWIC, appreciates how Greenberg’s view of the future fits the mission of her association and is eager to hear her speak to the Annual Conference in August. “NAWIC has shown that when women advocate for progress, the entire construction industry benefits.” Aust says, “We see the future as creating opportunities, reshaping policies, and refusing to accept exclusion.”
About NAWIC
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) originated as Women in Construction of Fort Worth, Texas. Sixteen women working in the construction industry founded it in 1953 to create a support network for women in construction-related jobs. Today, NAWIC is still based in Fort Worth and has 118 chapters throughout the United States that provide professional development, education, networking, leadership training, and public service.
