We are proud to welcome CCI Consulting to Keystone Partners.
We are proud to welcome CCI Consulting to Keystone Partners.
Marianne Monte’s journey to authentic HR leadership began with a pivotal moment in the early 1990s at a conservative Boston insurance company. Faced with the exhausting burden of hiding her true self, she made a courageous decision that would transform not only her career but her entire approach to human resources.
“You can only fake it so long and you can only hide who you really are for so long,” Monte explains in this powerful episode of The Hennessy Report. Her decision to come out at work, symbolized by trading skirts for pantsuits, became the foundation of her leadership philosophy: letting employees bring their authentic selves to work creates better outcomes for everyone.
This authenticity principle now drives Shawmut’s culture, where workplace inclusion and authenticity aren’t just buzzwords but operational imperatives that directly impact client service and project success.
Shawmut Design and Construction operates as a 100% employee-owned company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), creating a fundamentally different dynamic than traditional corporate structures. Monte emphasizes how employee ownership ESOP benefits extend far beyond financial rewards.
“Everyone has a voice. Everyone has a stake in the company,” Monte explains. This ownership model transforms how HR operates, requiring leaders to listen differently and empowering employees at every level—from the CEO to the front desk clerk—to contribute meaningfully to company decisions.
The results speak for themselves: Shawmut has grown into a $2 billion commercial construction firm with remarkable employee retention. The company regularly retires employees with over $1 million in their ESOP accounts—wealth they never contributed to personally, representing a powerful “thank you” for decades of dedicated service.
The construction industry faces unique challenges around worker wellbeing, and Shawmut’s approach to mental health in construction workplace initiatives sets a new standard. Monte recognized that traditional safety measures—ladder height and proper tie-offs—while crucial, only address part of the safety equation.
“If your head’s not in the right place, not only does that cause physical injuries more often than not, it’s not that the ladder wasn’t working—it’s that your head wasn’t in the game,” Monte observes.
Shawmut’s comprehensive safety program includes:
These initiatives extend to subcontractor employees, recognizing that true job site safety requires caring for everyone present, regardless of their employer.
Monte’s passion for construction industry talent development centers on bringing non-traditional workers into the field. “This is a math equation,” she states. “We need good people to join this industry. When you bring a diverse group of people with diverse backgrounds and diverse mindsets to a table, you get a better outcome.”
Shawmut’s approach to diversity goes beyond compliance, focusing on practical outcomes. The company actively recruits women, people of color, and neurodiverse individuals, recognizing that different perspectives improve every aspect of project delivery.
The industry’s reputation for being unwelcoming to diverse talent is something Monte actively works to change. Her recent Construction Dive award for championing women in construction reflects this commitment, but she emphasizes the work is far from finished.
One of the most significant recent developments at Shawmut demonstrates Monte’s commitment to HR leadership in construction industry best practices: the promotion of Michelle LaFleur to Chief Resource Officer after 28 years with the company.
This succession planning success story illustrates several key principles:
Monte’s transition to focus on mergers and acquisitions while LaFleur assumes the CRO role exemplifies how effective succession planning benefits both individuals and organizations.
Managing complex construction projects requires exceptional communication skills, especially when coordinating multiple subcontractors on projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Shawmut’s talent development programs recognize that technical skills alone aren’t sufficient for success.
The company’s learning management system, “Shawmut U,” provides comprehensive training in:
“The real skill set that’s valued here is communication and collaboration,” Monte explains, noting that this focus on soft skills differentiates Shawmut in a industry often focused solely on technical capabilities.
Marianne Monte’s insights offer valuable lessons for HR professionals across industries:
The Hennessy Report features in-depth conversations with leading HR professionals and business leaders sharing insights on workplace innovation, leadership development, and organizational transformation. Hosted by David Hennessy with colleague Rob Byron, the podcast explores how authentic leadership and innovative HR practices drive business success.
Listen to the full episode to hear Marianne Monte’s complete insights on transforming workplace culture, building inclusive organizations, and leading with authenticity in challenging industries.
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