Finding the Sweet Spot
The New Year always brings us opportunities to think about how we can lead better and manage our projects better. We make resolutions, set goals, and try new things to motivate our teams. As we do this, it’s essential to take a step back and look at the metaphorical horizon, that is, think strategically. That […]
How To Write SMART Goals, Courtesy of a Moose
Several years ago, we took a family vacation to Maine. Being a savvy professional, I set official goals for the trip. I wrote them down, of course. Goals aren’t real unless you write them down. I shared my written goals with a peer group. I even wrote them down in the visitors’ registration book at […]
The Increasing Importance of BIM for Civil Engineering
Every building project, no matter how small, comes with many aspects to consider and disciplines to reconcile. Sometimes, that’s the hardest part — having everyone work together without getting in each other’s way. For decades now, architects, engineers, and building contractors have looked for ways to resolve this problem, as well as cut project costs […]
Stop Talking and Listen!
Communication: The imparting or exchanging of information or news. Depending on your personality, you are either the type to listen or talk. Usually, people struggle to be good at both. I was the type to talk, to think about what to say next, and sometimes forget to listen to the person I was talking to. […]
Being a Good Communicator Isn’t as Hard as You Think
“Engineers don’t have good communication skills.” I hear this all the time, and it is a myth. While it may be true for some engineers, we cannot put it out as a blanket truth that applies to all of them. And most importantly, if someone is not a great communicator now, they can develop those […]
No Moment Is Too Small for a Sincere Thank You
Over the past 12 months, during another painful period of global socio-economic strife, I have thoroughly enjoyed EMI’s support as we’ve discussed AEC industry trends and leadership themes. Last month’s effort, A Sustainable Sales Platform Starts With an Organization’s Values, presented an opportunity to summarize these discussions. This month, as we move into what […]
Leadership Skills You Can Develop Now
Are you doing what it takes to earn a leadership role at your firm? A few years ago, I was working with a team of senior project managers (PM). The training program was “From PMs to Business Leaders.” In our first session, I asked them to list the job requirements for a PM and […]
You Don’t Have to “Win”
I once had a conversation with someone who bragged about how he was able to get a car dealership to basically give him a car. He talked about all the different tactics he used and how at the end of it, the salesmen essentially said, “We’ll sell you the car, but we ask that you […]
A Sustainable Sales Platform Starts With an Organization’s Values
As with every phase of life, beginnings and ends are times for focused reflection on our successes and failures. Individually and as a member of a team, this analysis sets the stage for subsequent growth. This reflective planning rhythm has defined the last 10 years of my life, as I’ve strived to grow from events: […]
Three Guarantees in Life: Death, Taxes, and Job Insecurity
According to careertrend.com, job security is defined as “a sense of assurance that you will remain employed for the foreseeable future – or at the very least, until you decide that you are going to move on. Job security means you are confident that your employer will keep you on board, regardless of the forces […]