How Warranty Readiness Testing Builds Reliable Products
I’ll never forget the smell of burnt PCB on a Friday afternoon. We were two weeks away from shipping our first major production run of a new industrial sensor -the mood was electric. Then, a unit on my bench—one that had passed every single one of our standard qualification tests—let out a faint pop. A […]
How a Client Debrief Process Improves PM Performance
Project debriefs are helpful to improve your firm’s management processes, cost estimating or client communications. Mostly, these debriefs are internally focused. “How did we do? Could we reduce costs here or schedule things better there? Were we on time and on budget? Why or why not?” AEC firms get the majority of new work through […]
How Engineering Leaders Can Build an Emotional Intelligence System for Lasting Reliability
A Quick Note Before We Start I coach engineering managers every day. Before that, I was an engineer, and then I spent 10 years recruiting engineers. I’ve sat in hundreds of 1:1s, debriefs, and hiring loops, and I’ve had 1000s of tough conversations. What I’m sharing here isn’t theory. It’s a simple emotional intelligence system […]
Why Emotional Intelligence for AEC Project Managers Improves Leadership Success
In the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, technical expertise has long been considered the cornerstone of success. But as projects grow more complex, teams become more diverse, and client expectations rise, one thing is increasingly clear: technical knowledge alone isn’t enough. What separates effective AEC project managers (PMs) and leaders from the rest is […]
De-Escalation Tactics for Engineering Leaders in High-Stakes Meetings
I was in a meeting that was about to go supercritical; The VP of Product was red-faced, jabbing a finger at a graph on the screen, “The data pipeline is a liability! Your team’s latency is costing us revenue every hour!” My lead engineer, Greg, shot back, “Because you keep shoving in new, half-baked requirements […]
How Skill Readiness in Engineering Firms Transforms Workforce Success
Engineering is evolving faster than ever; emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), digital twins, and automation are changing how teams design and deliver projects. Meanwhile, sustainability requirements, new regulations, and global collaboration are pushing engineering firms to adapt at unprecedented speed. The challenge for leaders is clear: the workforce and skill readiness in engineering firms […]
How Feeling Known at Work Drives Connection and Engagement
How known do you feel by those you work with? How well do you truly know them? The answers to these questions are likely indicative of your level of connection and engagement at work, as having a sense of feeling known at work is highly correlated with these other metrics. But what is this even […]
Sustainable AI Data Centers Powered by Renewable Energy
As artificial intelligence reshapes industries, the infrastructure behind it—especially sustainable AI data centers—is under the spotlight. These facilities are the engines of AI innovation, but they’re also massive consumers of energy and resources. The challenge now is clear: How do we build and run AI data centers that are both high-performing and sustainable? We all […]
Practical AI in AEC: Stop Reading and Start Trying
AI is everywhere in AEC discourse, but most advice is generic: read a whitepaper, attend a webinar, or buy a tool. That won’t move the needle. Real change comes from trying things on your own projects. At a session I recently presented at, the refrain was the same: stop chasing hype and start solving your […]
From Passive Listening to Active Learning: How to Get the Most Out of Engineering Podcasts
In today’s fast-paced engineering world, professional growth doesn’t just happen; you must actively pursue it. At the Engineering Management Institute, we empower engineers through content that helps them give, guide, and ultimately grow as leaders and innovators. Podcasts offer an ideal medium for learning on the go, but only if you move from passive listening […]