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 […]
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 […]
How GIS in Civil Engineering Transforms Decision-Making
Let’s be honest, civil engineering has never been short on complexity. Every project we tackle comes with moving parts: tight budgets, regulatory hurdles, environmental factors, and community expectations. For decades, we relied on experience, intuition, and a stack of static drawings to make it all work. But here’s the truth: those days are gone. The […]
Build Innovative AEC Teams With These 7 Future-Focused Leadership Tips
“Clear goals provide a roadmap for innovation, guiding teams towards meaningful progress and achievement.” —Simon Sinek In today’s rapidly evolving AEC landscape, the pursuit of innovation has become imperative for teams and organizations seeking to thrive. Innovation isn’t just about generating groundbreaking ideas; it’s about cultivating a culture that nourishes creativity, encourages risk-taking, and drives […]
Ambiguity Tolerance in Leadership Unlocks Competitive Advantage in AEC
In the fast-paced world of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC), project managers are often expected to deliver clear answers, fast decisions, and flawless execution. But the truth is, the early phases of most AEC projects are anything but clear. In these moments of ambiguity, where information is incomplete and outcomes are still uncertain, ambiguity tolerance […]
Why the Tool-First Mindset Is Holding Your Engineering Team Back
Engineering professionals love tools. Many of us (myself included) spent our early career years chasing the latest software or gadget, convinced that mastering these tools was the key to success. I remember obsessing over new software and automation scripts, believing that if I just found the right tool, our projects would practically manage themselves. This […]