Silenced Voices & Hidden Barriers: Why Inclusion Starts with Asking the Right Questions
Make it stand out
In this powerful episode of The Empowered and Embodied Show.
We sat down with Michele Heyward—engineer, founder of PositiveHire, and fierce advocate for women in STEM. We dug deep into who’s missing from leadership conversations, why that matters, and how we can start making real change.
Key Takeaways
🔹 Take action—don’t wait for permission. Change happens when we step up and push forward, even when the system isn’t ready.
🔹 Ask better questions. Instead of “Who’s in the room?” ask, “Who isn’t—and why?” Real inclusion starts with addressing exclusion.
🔹 Inclusion is essential. Retaining and supporting underrepresented groups strengthens our communities and workplaces.
🔹 Advocates and sponsors matter. Mentorship and sponsorship can be game-changers—seek them out and pay it forward.
🔹 Meet communities where they are. If people aren’t engaging, rethink outreach—it’s about access, not interest.
🔹 Small changes drive impact. Simple solutions, like curb cuts or better workplace benefits, create lasting transformation.
🔹 You have power—use it. Knowing your worth and challenging norms can spark real change.
Who’s in the Room—And Who’s Not?
One of the most eye-opening moments in our conversation was when Michele pointed out a harsh reality:
“We can teach the women to speak up as much as we want, but we generally are pushed back on because culturally, we’ve been told to be seen and not heard. And men will say, ‘I can’t believe she’s still talking’—when women have only spoken for 10% of the meeting.”
Sound familiar? This isn’t just about volume. It’s about whose voices are valued and whose are dismissed.
Too often, companies think they’re inclusive because they have diverse employees. But if people don’t feel safe to speak—or if they’re speaking and not being heard—then what kind of inclusivity is that?
Better Questions Lead to Better Change
Instead of asking:
❌ Who’s in the room?
Start asking:
✅ Who isn’t in the room—and why?
✅ Whose voices are we ignoring?
✅ What barriers are keeping people from speaking up—or even showing up?
Small Changes, Big Impact
Michele shared a powerful example of how small, intentional changes create massive shifts.
On a construction project, she realized that a tiny budget adjustment—just $3,500 out of a $40 million project—could add curb cuts for wheelchair users and parents with strollers.
The reaction? Pushback.
But Michele didn’t back down:
“What are they going to do? Fire me? They’re short 400,000 engineers. I can do this on every single project.”
💡 The takeaway? Sometimes, the system isn’t ready for change. That doesn’t mean we wait.
How to Be the Change (Even When the System Isn’t Ready)
If we want to create workplaces and communities where everyone thrives, we need to step up—whether or not the system is built for us.
🔹 Take action—don’t wait for permission. Change happens when we step up and push forward.
🔹 Find sponsors and advocates. Mentorship can open doors, but sponsorship is what gets you inside. Seek out the people who have influence and who will actively support your career.
🔹 Meet communities where they are. If people aren’t engaging, rethink outreach—it’s about access, not interest.
🔹 Use your power. Whether you’re an engineer, a leader, or just someone who sees the problem, you have influence. Use it.
Final Thoughts: It’s Time to Run Amok
Michele put it best when she said:
"We should run amok and make things happen—for the power of the people, for the betterment of the people." -Michele Heyward
And she’s right. If we don’t push for change, who will?
🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear more about how we can reshape workplaces, amplify underrepresented voices, and create lasting, meaningful impact.
Who do you know that’s missing from the room? Let’s make sure their voice is heard.
Key Moments
[00:00] – Introductions and celebrations: The power of rest and honoring our needs.
[04:36] – Meet Michele Heyward: Her journey from engineering to leading PositiveHire.
[06:34] – The power of mentorship: How Michele’s mentees continue to inspire her.
[09:33] – Bridging the gap: The difference between mentoring individuals and creating systemic change.
[13:04] – "Who aren’t you talking about?"—How organizations can identify who they are excluding.
[18:23] – Finding advocates and sponsors within organizations to create real career opportunities.
[26:18] – The labor shortage crisis in AEC: Why keeping women in the industry is critical.
[34:06] – The consequences of exclusion: How lack of diversity in design leads to real-world accessibility issues.
[39:47] – Rethinking community engagement: Why meeting people where they are matters.
[49:44] – "Run amok for change!"—How engineers and professionals can use their influence for good.
[55:22] – Final thoughts: Stepping into the room and challenging the status quo.
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Connect With Michele:
PositiveHire Website: https://PositiveHire.co
