goals

Two Types of Goals That Matter When Leading People

January 31, 2022 By EMI

This is a guest blog by Patrick Sweet, P.Eng., MBA, PMP, CSEP

Of all the lessons that I’ve learned over the course of my career, one stands out as possibly the most important and impactful:

The successful manager manages performance, not the person.

An engineering manager is responsible for the performance of the team. Projects still need to be completed on time and on budget. Work outputs need to be high quality. This is where management of performance comes in. A successful engineering manager must take great care to establish clear performance expectations so that the team understands what is expected of them and how their work will be evaluated.

Measuring Performance

5 Keys to Career Clarity for Engineers

October 12, 2020 By EMI

This is a guest blog by Jeff Perry, MBA

“Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” ~Carl Jung

Vision, clarity, making a plan, taking action — trying to achieve these things can be extremely difficult and even anxiety-inducing in the face of great uncertainty.

Sometimes we look to other sources for guidance on what we should do next in our career and lives. Certainly mentors, guides, and coaches can be partners in this process. But in the end, the responsibility for getting clarity and living the life you want is up to you and no one else.

No one understands you better than you understand yourself. Only you have lived through every single one of your life experiences so far.

The person who has the greatest ability to unlock clarity in your life is no one other than you.

If you do as Carl Jung suggests and look inside, you can uncover some amazing truths about what you believe and what you are working to become. Clarity involves not foretelling the future, but seeing clearly our past and present circumstances, and deciding what kind of life we want to create.

Here are 5 Keys to Career Clarity for Engineers

1. Adjust Your Mindset

TCEP 154: Navigating the Annual Review Process as a Civil Engineering Professional

October 7, 2020 By EMI

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For many engineers, a face-to-face performance review is the most stressful work conversation they’ll have all year, and for managers, the discussion can be just as tense. In this week’s episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I provide practical tips on how engineers and managers can prepare for and get the most out of their annual performance reviews.

Engineering Quotes:

3 Steps To Prepare for the Annual Performance Review:

How to Seek out Mentorship in Construction and Engineering

February 3, 2020 By EMI

This is a guest blog by Holly Welles

In many professions, it’s easy to find a mentor, primarily when you work with those who have years of experience. Unfortunately, this often isn’t the case for construction workers and engineers, as more and more young people enter the field every year. Mentors are a valuable resource for many as they provide insight, guidance, and career opportunities. Here are a few ways you can seek out mentorship in construction and engineering.

TSEC 17: Mentoring for Structural Engineers and a Special Introduction

January 23, 2020 By EMI

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In episode 17 of The Structural Engineering Channel Podcast, we will introduce a new co-host for the podcast and we will also cover a special topic in honor of January being National Mentorship Month. We are going to talk all about mentoring in general: how to find a mentor as a structural engineer, how to become a great mentor, and how mentorship programs can help structural engineering companies grow.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Mentoring for Structural Engineers:

Redefining Business Development for Engineering Professionals

September 16, 2019 By EMI

This is a guest blog by Lindsay Diven, CPSM

It’s interesting that in the engineering industry, our sales teams are often referred to as Business Developers or Client Managers. The sound of the word “sales” makes you think of a used car salesperson or a telemarketer. I get it. You studied to be an engineer and practice your craft with pride, as you should. You are very skilled in your expertise.

However, there is a point, when you must win that next project for your team or firm. This typically involves finding potential new clients and meeting with decision makers. Having worked with engineers for more than a decade, I know that this is easier said than done.

Resisting Business Development Meetings

You may resist meeting with clients because you feel you must sell your experience and ideas. This often feels like a “dog and pony show.” The clients often feel this way too. They don’t want to sit in an hour-long meeting listening to how great you and your firm are. They are busy too and more often not taking as many “sales” meetings or are making them shorter. I have experienced some clients only giving us 15 minutes!

So, how do you make business development easier for you and more accepting for your clients? How do you make those type of meetings valuable to both you and your client so that each party feels their time wasn’t wasted?

You do this by redefining business development.

First, let’s start with the original definition.

TECC 207: How to Avoid Becoming a Frog in Boiling Water in Your Engineering Career

July 23, 2019 By EMI

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In this episode, I will explain how you can avoid becoming a frog in boiling water in your engineering career. Nobody can predict the future and disaster can strike at any time in your career and that is why you should always strive to minimize risks in your career by being prepared for the absolute worst.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are 5 Action Steps You Can Take to Avoid Becoming a Frog in Boiling Water:

How Not to Lose Focus and Concentration During Working Long Hours

January 2, 2019 By EMI

How Not to Lose Focus and Concentration During Working Long Hours is a guest post by Kurt Walker

Focus and concentration are very important factors that effective professionals always prioritize when working. It is necessary for getting the work done. However, with the increasing development in technology coupled with other factors taking place around the world, it has become so easy to lose concentration while working on a task, simply because we are now surrounded by various pleasant distractions. This piece outlines some essential tips that you can use to maintain focus while working long hours.

TCEP 086: Talking Through a Huge Civil Engineering Career Decision

June 6, 2018 By EMI

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In episode 086 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk with one of our listeners who is facing a difficult civil engineering career decision. He has to decide whether or not to stay in the private consulting sector or to move to a public career path.

Here are some of the questions I ask:

What discipline of civil engineering are you involved in and how long have you been practicing?
Are you considering government employment or working with a private contractor who is working for the government?
Where do you see yourself in your career 10 years from now?
What makes your work fulfilling?
What is the current breakdown of your department and what level are you at in at your department?

Engineering Quotes:

Here are some key points discussed on making a critical civil engineering career decision:

TCEP 082: One Civil Engineer’s Passion for Culture and Community

April 25, 2018 By EMI

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In episode 082 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk with Alexis Clark, E.I.T about her passion for culture and community in civil engineering, and several other interesting topics related to Civil Engineering.

Here are some of the questions I ask Alexis:

Tell us how you ended up working for Hilti and what it’s like working for such a large company?
You’re passionate about engineering and culture both, so let’s discuss how the two intertwine.
Do you work outside of the US?
What do you do in your life in general to try and integrate culture?
Tell us about your passion for culture and volunteering, and why you are so interested in them?
Where do you think Civil Engineering is heading in the future?

Two Types of Goals That Matter When Leading People

This is a guest blog by Patrick Sweet, P.Eng., MBA, PMP, CSEP

The successful manager manages performance, not the person.

Measuring Performance