Communication & Public Speaking

TCEP 271: How to Enhance Projects With Better Communication

September 18, 2024 By EMI

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In this episode, I chat with Jacqueline Dirmann, P.E., CME, CFM, client manager at T&M Associates, about how better communication strategies can elevate your projects and career, from engaging stakeholders to keeping the public informed during capital improvement projects.

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

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Jacqueline:

How do you approach communication with different project stakeholders, especially in municipalities where community involvement is key, given your experience as both a consulting and municipal engineer?
How do you keep the public informed and engaged throughout the entire lifecycle of capital improvement projects?
In your experience, how important is it to involve contractors early in communication with residents and stakeholders, and how does this affect the success of a project?
How do you balance technical requirements with the concerns of local communities when addressing compliance issues related to zoning regulations and stormwater management?
Can you share your approach to securing and managing grant funding for infrastructure projects, and how it affects the overall success of a project?
Can you share an example of when proactive communication with residents helped prevent or reduce challenges during an infrastructure project?
How do you adjust your communication strategies when working with different stakeholders like planning boards, zoning boards, and redevelopment agencies?
Can you share some best practices for engineers looking to improve their community engagement skills when holding neighborhood meetings with local residents?
What final advice would you give civil engineers wanting to improve their communication skills, especially when working on projects that greatly affect communities?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Enhance Projects With Better Communication:

TCEP 181: Building Your Networking Skills as a Civil Engineer

August 11, 2021 By EMI

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In the episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk about a topic that is of the utmost importance to civil engineering professionals which is relationship building. I will look at it from the perspective of someone that is not comfortable networking, whether they are shy, an “introvert”, or they’re just uncomfortable in social settings, and provide three actions that they can take to help improve your networking skills as a civil engineer.

Here Are Three Actions You Can Take to Improve Your Networking Skills as a Civil Engineer:

TCEP 146: What Does Hostage Negotiation Have to Do With Consulting Engineers?

June 17, 2020 By EMI

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In this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk to Dan Oblinger about hostage negotiation. Dan explains how hostage negotiation fits into consulting engineering and also provides five specific ways that engineering firms should look at to evaluate their negotiation and communication abilities.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Dan:

With the current situation in the United States, is it a challenge for you to go to work every day?
Can you talk to us about how you got into consulting with engineers and how you went to some AE companies and pitched the idea of negotiation to them?
What should civil engineering consultants look for to evaluate their negotiation and communication abilities?
Do you have a framework in your day-to-day hostage negotiations?
Are there specific strategies that you use in your negotiations?
Is there a challenging situation that you dealt with that you are open to sharing with our listeners?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Negotiation Culture in Your Civil Engineering Practice:

TCEP 136: How to Network Effectively as a Civil Engineer — Even as an Introvert

January 29, 2020 By EMI

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In episode 136 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I am going to give you three actions that you can use to network effectively and build relationships. These networking tips will help you improve your relationship-building skills and give your civil engineering career a jumpstart, whether you are an introvert or an extrovert.

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Networking:

According to the dictionary, the word “introvert” refers to a shy person. Many engineers are labeled as introverts because they are analytical, technical, and deal with details.
As engineers progress in their careers, their managers often expect them to build relationships and bring in new business to the firm. When you can’t do that, it can become a barrier to advancement in your career.
Networking should be thought of as building relationships. If you take on that mindset, it will be easier to become a successful networker and excel in your career.

Here Are Three Specifics Actions You Can Take to Network Effectively:

TCEP 135: Effective Communication Is Key With People at All Levels in Civil Engineering

January 15, 2020 By EMI

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In this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, our tenth episode in our Women in Civil Engineering series, I talk to Disa Wahlstrand, PE, LEED AP, who is a vice president of municipal services and water resources operations for Ayres in Wisconsin. We will be talking about engineering in STEM, big picture mindsets, and why communication is key in multidisciplinary teams.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Disa:

How can we influence the attitudes of students, especially females, about engineering and STEM in general?
Why do you enjoy doing campus planning?
Can you talk to us about your experience being a vice president in a mid-sized company?
What can you share with civil engineers out there about transitioning into their careers?
Why would you say communication is key for civil engineers?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Why Effective Communication Is Key for Civil Engineers:

TCEP 117: The Importance of Staying Calm, Cool, and Collected as a Civil Engineering Professional

May 8, 2019 By EMI

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In episode 117 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I visit with Tracy Bratton, PE. who is the Land Development Division Manager at Doucet & Associates, based in Austin Texas. We talk about the importance of staying calm, cool, and collected as a civil engineering professional. We also talk about the role that sound technical experience plays in an engineer’s confidence level as well as the ability to manage projects.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Tracy:

Tell us about your career journey.
Tell us about the time you spend in Venezuela.
When you started working in Land Development, was it something that you initially liked doing?
Talk about the importance of having sound technical knowledge in your field in order to become a successful manager.
What are some of the things you learned about managing teams in different locations?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Staying Calm, Cool, and Collected as a Civil Engineering Professional:

TCEP 115: A Rational Approach to Dealing with Difficult People on Your Engineering Projects

April 10, 2019 By EMI

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In episode 115 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I visit with Stephanie Buckingham, APTD, PHR, an Associate Professional in Talent Development and part of Freese and Nichols’ Organizational Development team about dealing with difficult people on your engineering projects.

Engineering Quotes:

Here are some of the questions I ask Stephanie about dealing with difficult people:

What made you decide to focus on this topic?
Tell us more about the root of difficult people?
How do you get back on track after you had an encounter with a person who is being difficult?
How do you disagree with someone while still being respectful to them?
Do you have any stories you can tell us that have influenced your perspective on dealing with difficult people?

Here are some key points discussed in this episode about dealing with difficult people:

TCEP 106: The State of Employee Engagement and Why Organizations Have Been Looking at Engagement All Wrong

December 5, 2018 By EMI

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In episode 106 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk with Bob Kelleher who is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and consultant. We talk about the importance of employee engagement and Bob also provides some great tips on having empathy in the workplace, and how by doing so, you can help with the overall success of your engineering organization.

Engineering Quotes:

Here are some of the questions I ask Bob:

What is your definition of engagement?
Why do you need to engage the WHOLE person?
How do you utilize empathy?
Talk about this idea of selecting and developing the first line leader?
Tell us about the challenge of engagement and the different generations?

Here are some key points discussed in this episode about employee engagement:

TCEP 074: How to Communicate Effectively on Civil Engineering Projects

January 3, 2018 By EMI

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How to Communicate Effectively on Civil Engineering Projects

In episode 074 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk with Steve Soldati, PE about how to communicate effectively on civil engineering projects.

Here are some of the questions I ask Steve about communicating effectively on civil engineering projects :

Why is communication important for engineering professionals?
What are some things you have done to improve your skills?
Are there any tools that you use or recommend to improve/streamline communications?
Can you give examples of positive/negative communication instances in your career?
Talk about team communication early in project development.
Tell us about conflict resolution within a team.

Engineering Quotes:

Here are some key points discussed in this episode:

TCEP 064: Public Speaking for Engineers

August 16, 2017 By EMI

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In episode 64 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk with Shoots Veis, P.E., author of the book called: Public Speaking for Engineers which was recently published by ASCE press. We will be talking about why public speaking for engineers is an important part of your professional development as an engineer.

Here are some of the questions I ask Shoots:

What made you write a book on public speaking?
Why is public speaking so important?
How can a civil engineer improve his or her public speaking skills?
What are visual aids and what is the right way to use them?
Tell us more about your acting career and how it helps you reduce stress in your life?

Communication & Public Speaking

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Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Jacqueline:

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Enhance Projects With Better Communication:

https://media.blubrry.com/engineeringcareercoach/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/civilengineeringpodcast/TCEP181.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Here Are Three Actions You Can Take to Improve Your Networking Skills as a Civil Engineer:

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Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Dan:

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Negotiation Culture in Your Civil Engineering Practice:

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Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Networking:

Here Are Three Specifics Actions You Can Take to Network Effectively:

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Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Disa:

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Why Effective Communication Is Key for Civil Engineers:

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Tracy:

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Staying Calm, Cool, and Collected as a Civil Engineering Professional:

Engineering Quotes:

Here are some of the questions I ask Stephanie about dealing with difficult people:

Here are some key points discussed in this episode about dealing with difficult people:

Engineering Quotes:

Here are some of the questions I ask Bob:

Here are some key points discussed in this episode about employee engagement:

How to Communicate Effectively on Civil Engineering Projects

Here are some of the questions I ask Steve about communicating effectively on civil engineering projects :

Engineering Quotes:

Here are some key points discussed in this episode:

Here are some of the questions I ask Shoots:

Engineering Quotes

Here are some key points discussed on Public Speaking for Engineers:

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