Elizabeth Spikes, LC

I attribute my success to hard work, effective time management, and strong communication. As the second oldest of six children and the oldest girl, I grew up watching my parents take responsibility for both their family and professional lives, which taught me the importance of being dependable and learning how to manage multiple priorities.

I also believe that time management and communication are skills that you continue to develop throughout your entire life. In my career, I have learned to work hard, stay committed, and keep moving forward even when I experience uncertainty. Imposter syndrome can be difficult, particularly when you are building credibility and learning to believe the positive feedback you receive from others. For me, success has come from continuing to work hard, trusting the relationships I have built, and continuing to move forward.

The best career advice I have received is the importance of active listening. My experience with improvisation taught me that you do not always need to be talking or immediately responding. Sometimes the most valuable contribution you can make is to listen carefully and wait until your input is genuinely needed.

I believe you should not add to a situation simply because you are present. Instead, add substance when it is meaningful and useful. Listening allows you to understand what people actually need, identify important information, and respond in a way that adds value. Active listening has therefore become one of the most important principles I apply in both my professional and personal relationships.

I often say that instead of describing an industry as male-dominated, I prefer to think of it as male-populated. You do not need to have a large number of women to make an impact. If you are efficient, effective, and capable of connecting with people, the possibilities are significant.

I encourage young women to understand what they are genuinely good at and then find or create a role that fits their strengths, personality, and goals. Sometimes a company may not realize it needs a particular role or skill set until someone demonstrates the value they can bring. Learning how to communicate your strengths and sell yourself professionally is important.

I also believe in understanding your weaknesses without allowing them to define you. A weakness can become an opportunity for growth when you deliberately work on it and turn it into a strength. As you continue developing, new areas for improvement will emerge, and that process of learning and growth can continue throughout your career.

One of the biggest challenges in the South Florida construction industry is the level of competition. The market can feel saturated, but I believe it is often saturated with quantity rather than quality. The challenge is therefore to distinguish yourself by consistently delivering quality work, service, expertise, and relationships.

There is always enough work for people who establish themselves effectively. Rather than focusing exclusively on the largest projects, I believe there is significant value in building a strong reputation through the opportunities that are available today. Successfully completing smaller projects can create the credibility needed to be considered for larger ones in the future.

This approach applies whether someone is new to an area or has been established in the industry for years. When clients see that you have successfully handled similar responsibilities repeatedly, they become more willing to trust you with larger opportunities. For me, building a reputation through consistent performance and meaningful relationships is one of the strongest paths toward future growth.

Integrity is one of the most important values in both my professional and personal life. I believe it is essential to understand the rules, expectations, and environment in which you are operating so that everyone involved understands what game we are playing. Having that shared understanding creates a stronger foundation for working together toward a common goal.

I also value having a growth mindset rather than a rigid mindset. I believe in remaining open to learning, listening to others, and continually developing. I try to uplift people rather than bring them down because when people feel safe and respected, they are more willing to share information and perspectives that can genuinely help a situation.

Ultimately, I value respect, integrity, accountability, and following through on my commitments. Doing what I say I am going to do and treating people with respect are fundamental to how I approach both my work and my relationships.