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TECC 101: How to Use Leadership in Your Engineering Firm to Attain High Performance

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In this episode, Chris Knutson, PE interviews leadership expert Steve Armstrong on leadership and how to develop your leadership skills in your engineering firm.

Engineering Success quotes:

engineering firm

engineering firm

Here are the key points around building a strong leadership culture in your engineering firm: [Read more…] about TECC 101: How to Use Leadership in Your Engineering Firm to Attain High Performance

TECC 124: Delivering Leadership During A Crisis Situation

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Delivering Leadership During A Crisis Situation

In this episode, Chris Knutson, PE interviews Steve Armstrong, leadership coach and no stranger to leading during an emergency, or crisis situations, about the special attributes of leadership that must be called on when facing crisis situations. And we’ll be doing so based on his experiences with the McMurray wildfires that devastated the town at the same time.

Engineering Success quotes:

Crisis Situations

Crisis Situations

Crisis Situations

Here are the key points:

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TGEP 108: The Challenges of Entering Into the Competitive Geotechnical Engineering Industry

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Geotechnical Engineering IndustryIn this episode, I speak with Frank DiSalvo, P.E., the dynamic regional manager of American Pile and Foundation, LLC, about the ongoing talent shortage in the geotechnical engineering industry and explore his innovative solutions to address this pressing challenge.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Geotechnical Engineering Industry

Geotechnical Engineering Industry

Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Frank:

  • When you first started in the industry, did you encounter any significant challenges or memorable experiences?
  • Which aspects of geotechnical engineering do you find most enjoyable, and what drives your passion and motivation in your work?
  • What are the biggest challenges you face in project management and design?
  • How has the talent shortage impacted your work and the industry, and what steps do you think could help address this challenge?
  • Can you share an interesting experience you’ve had with ground improvement and groundwater techniques?
  • What strategies do you think could help attract and retain more professionals in the field of geotechnical engineering?
  • What advancements or changes do you believe are necessary for the geotechnical industry to meet the demands of modern infrastructure?
  • What final piece of advice would you give to those just starting out in engineering or geotechnical engineering?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the Challenges of Entering into the Competitive Geotechnical Engineering Industry:

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TGEP 102: How to Utilize Technology for Remote Geotechnical Work

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Remote Geotechnical WorkIn this episode, I talk about the evolving opportunities in remote geotechnical work, highlighting how job roles are increasingly offering the flexibility to work from home or in the field. I also discuss the tools and technologies that are facilitating this transition.

***The video version of the episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Remote Geotechnical Work

Remote Geotechnical Work

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Utilize Technology for Remote Geotechnical Work:

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TGEP 100: Top 10 Geotechnical Engineering Podcasts: A Journey Through Engineering Excellence

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Geotechnical Engineering PodcastsIn this episode, I reflect on our top 10 geotechnical engineering podcasts that resonate the most with our listeners. We explore groundbreaking discussions on new technologies and share inspiring stories of career development and engineering leadership.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.**

Here Are the Top 10 Geotechnical Engineering Podcasts:

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TGEP 096: Land Site Characterization: Essential Techniques for Informed Decisions

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Land Site CharacterizationIn this episode, we talk with Leonard Sands, Global Business Line Director for Land at Fugro, about his extensive career journey, the evolution, and innovations in land site characterization and geological data gathering.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Land Site Characterization

Land Site Characterization

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Leonard:

  • What notable advancements have you observed in the field of land characterization and geological data gathering?
  • Reflecting on your experiences, which project stands out as the most memorable to you?
  • How have the evolved non-intrusive diagnosis techniques impacted the industry?
  • Can you elaborate on the role and significance of digital models and forecasting in today’s geotechnical engineering?
  • Which strategies and technologies have proven pivotal in enhancing data quality for land site characterization?
  • What do you perceive as the major challenges in large-scale geotechnical projects, and how do you approach managing them?
  • How do you manage scope creep and ensure timely delivery in projects with optimistic time frames?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Land Site Characterization: 

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TGEP 091: Navigating the Engineering Landscape with Integrity as Your Compass

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IntegrityIn this episode, we talk with Andrew Leung, P.E., president and managing principal at YU & Associates, about the importance of integrity in leadership. He also talks about his management style, and innovations in geotechnical and environmental engineering.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Integrity

Integrity

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Andrew:

  • Can you describe your management style as the president and managing principal of your company, and explain how it has contributed to the success of your firm?
  • As a leader in geotech environmental services, how do you contribute to maintaining and evolving your firm’s culture and values?
  • When considering geotechnical engineering, especially innovations like AI and machine learning, what challenges and advancements do you see in this complex field?
  • For seasoned and new engineers, what key responsibilities and ethical considerations should they be mindful of in the field of engineering and engineering ethics?
  • What are your thoughts on the fact that integrity isn’t tied to money, and you don’t need a formal education to possess it — either you inherently have it or you don’t?
  • What advice would you offer young engineers aiming to make a positive impact in the field of geotechnical engineering?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Navigating the Engineering Landscape with Integrity as Your Compass:

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TGEP 090: Harnessing the Power of Geotechnical Engineering for Effective Pavement Design

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Effective Pavement DesignIn this episode, we talk with Prashant Patil, M.S., P.E., a Geotechnical Engineer at Gessner Engineering, LLC, about the intricate factors that shape effective pavement design recommendations.  We also dive deep into geotechnical investigation, and discuss some of the challenges geotechnical engineers encounter on projects.

Engineering Quotes:

Effective Pavement Design

Effective Pavement Design

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Prashant:

  • Could you provide some details about the projects or activities your company is currently involved in?
  • Can you guide us through the crucial steps and methodologies in geotechnical explorations or investigations?
  • What specific challenges do geotechnical engineers commonly face when conducting investigations for pavement design?
  • With all the challenges and opportunities in geotechnical engineering, why wouldn’t everyone want to pursue a career in it, given its importance and the intriguing challenges it presents?
  • Can you explain how things like soil composition, geological conditions, and environmental factors affect the results of investigations and how they influence recommendations for pavement design?
  • What strategies and conditions are effective in places with extreme weather?
  • When working on pavement design projects that involve diverse structures like highways, parking lots, and airport runways, how do you adjust your approach to accommodate different load-bearing requirements?
  • How vital is it to collect crucial information from your client early on, rather than solely relying on assumptions?
  • How does sustainability factor into pavement design, and what role do geotechnical recommendations play in promoting environmentally responsible infrastructure development?
  • What upcoming trends and innovations do you foresee in geotechnical engineering pavement design that could significantly influence the industry in the future?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Harnessing the Power of Geotechnical Engineering for Effective Pavement Design:

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TGEP 088: Adapting to the New Reality of Leadership in the Hybrid World

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Leadership in the Hybrid WorldIn this episode, I talks about the dynamic evolution of leadership in our hybrid world and how these shifts are fundamentally redefining the very essence of leadership in this ever-changing environment.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Leadership in the Hybrid World

Leadership in the Hybrid World

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Adapting to the New Reality of Leadership in the Hybrid World:

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TGEP 081: How to Create a High-Performing Team with Cognitive Diversity

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Cognitive Diversity

In this episode, we talk to Matthew J. Niermann, P.E., M.ASCE, Vice President at Schnabel, about the fascinating realm of cognitive diversity and its profound impact on teamwork within the engineering industry.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Cognitive Diversity

Cognitive Diversity

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Matthew:

  • What is the relationship between cognitive diversity and team dynamics?
  • What experiences or insights sparked your interest in cognitive diversity and its impact on team performance?
  • Did you actively seek out and find information on cognitive diversity, ask for approval, and pursue it on your own, or did someone suggest exploring this area due to your existing interest in diversity?
  • Is there a measurable or descriptive way to assess cognitive diversity within a team?
  • Does cognitive diversity, specifically the aspects of cognitive resources, cognitive effect, and cognitive effect, remain constant over time, or is it subject to change and evolution throughout an individual’s life?
  • How does cognitive diversity contribute to cultivating effective teamwork within engineering and construction projects?
  • What are the potential trade-offs or challenges that may arise while working with a cognitively diverse team, and how can these challenges be effectively addressed to ensure smooth collaboration?
  • How can teams optimize the benefits of cognitive diversity and mitigate conflicts or communication gaps through practical solutions and strategies?
  • What specific techniques and practices have been implemented within the organization to encourage cognitive diversity and promote enhanced teamwork?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Creating a High-Performing Team with Cognitive Diversity:

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