The Toxic 'Tough Guy' Culture in Construction Needs to End
- Steve G
- Jan 11
- 3 min read
Let’s talk about one of the construction industry's dirty little secrets: the toxic 'tough guy' culture. You know the one. The idea that you must be tough as nails, never show vulnerability, and power through any problem—even if it costs you your mental health, safety, or a cohesive team. It’s time we stopped celebrating this mindset and started calling it what it really is: toxic and dangerous.
In an industry where one in five serious workplace injuries occurs on construction sites, we need to ask ourselves: is this “tough guy” attitude actually working for us, or is it leading us straight to disaster? (Gardner, 2024). The data speaks for itself. Behind every preventable accident, there’s often a culture that dismisses vulnerability and promotes a “just get on with it” mentality. Is that really toughness, or is it a refusal to confront systemic problems?
Mental Health: Construction's Unspoken Crisis
The Australian construction industry has one of the highest rates of suicide across all sectors—workers are 53% more likely to die by suicide than the national average (Graham et al., 2019). Why? Because vulnerability is often seen as weakness. The “tough guy” culture tells workers that asking for help, showing signs of mental distress, or taking a step back when overwhelmed is a failure.
How often have you heard this line on-site? "Real men don’t need help." This mindset is killing people—literally. It’s time to acknowledge that mental health needs to be prioritized in an industry that operates under constant stress, deadlines, and danger. Toughness isn’t about enduring; it’s about knowing when to ask for help and protecting your team.
Impact on Safety: What’s Machismo Costing Us?
Let’s talk safety. The macho “we can handle it” attitude directly contributes to unsafe work practices. Workers are less likely to report near-misses or unsafe conditions because doing so makes them look "weak." As I noted in my research, workplace health and safety (WHS) violations are often overlooked due to this ingrained toughness—leading to accidents that could have easily been avoided (Gardner, 2024).
The reality is, WHS is often sacrificed for speed and efficiency under the guise of "getting the job done." But this toxic attitude only increases the likelihood of accidents. We’ve all seen it: workers shrugging off their own safety to meet deadlines, lifting more than they should, or ignoring proper procedures because "I don’t need that." But ignoring WHS standards isn’t strength—it’s negligence.
Teamwork and Leadership: Toxic Masculinity as a Barrier
The tough guy mentality doesn't just impact individuals; it damages teamwork and leadership. When vulnerability is viewed as weakness, teams struggle with communication, problem-solving, and trust. Leaders who buy into this toxic mindset often micromanage, dismiss concerns, and foster a hostile work environment where people are afraid to speak up.
Collaborative leadership—where emotional intelligence, listening, and adaptability are emphasized—is proven to result in better outcomes (Turner, 2007). Yet, it’s often dismissed in favor of authoritarian leadership styles in construction. Why? Because it’s seen as "soft." But this kind of thinking is outdated, and it’s failing us.
In my PhD research, I found that collaborative leadership styles lead to better team performance and higher project success rates (Gardner, 2024). When workers feel safe to voice concerns, contribute ideas, and be human, the entire project benefits.
It’s Time for a New Definition of Toughness
What does toughness actually mean? Real toughness isn’t about ignoring pain, denying mental health struggles, or pushing your team to the breaking point. Real toughness is leading with empathy, protecting your crew, and fostering a culture of safety and communication.
Construction is one of the most challenging industries in the world, but we’re not going to succeed by sticking to outdated, toxic models of masculinity. We need to evolve. Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s a strength that enables better decisions, safer work environments, and healthier teams.
If you're still clinging to the "tough guy" culture, you’re holding back your team, your project, and ultimately, yourself. It’s time to redefine what it means to be strong in construction—because the old way is killing us.
Hashtags: #ConstructionLeadership #MentalHealthInConstruction #ToughGuyCulture #WorkplaceSafety #WHS #LeadershipEvolution #Teamwork #EmotionalIntelligence #ConstructionIndustry #CultureChange
Author Bio: Stephen Gardner, Queensland holds a PhD in construction project management, with a focus on the technical and interpersonal skills that define successful project leaders. A seasoned property developer and project manager, Stephen has managed multi-million-dollar projects across Australia, including ISO 8 cleanroom facilities and cutting-edge residential developments. He is passionate about driving culture change in the construction industry and advocating for mental health, safety, and collaborative leadership.
References:
Gardner, S. (2024). Technical and Interpersonal Skills and Characteristics of Successful Construction Project Managers. Griffith University.
Graham, A., Sherriff, B., & Cairney, S. (2019). Mental Health in the Construction Industry: Who Is Responsible? Safety Science Journal.
Turner, J. R. (2007). Project Success and Leadership in Construction.