• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Engineering Management Institute

UPCOMING TRAINING

Call us 800.920.4007

  • About
    • Meet Anthony Fasano, P.E.
    • EMI’s Mission, Vision & Values
    • Meet Team EMI
  • Content
    • Blog
    • Podcasts
      • The Engineering Career Coach Podcast
      • The Civil Engineering Podcast
        • Women in Civil Engineering
        • Civil Engineering Entrepreneurs
        • The Civil Engineering CEO Podcast
      • The Structural Engineering Channel
      • The Geotechnical Engineering Podcast
      • The Engineering Quality Control Podcast
      • This Week in Civil Engineering
    • TV
    • Videos
    • Books
    • Recommended Reading
    • Sponsors
  • Training
  • Hiring Solutions
  • FE-PE Exams
  • Start
  • Clients
  • Contact

Pamela A. Scott

Great Managers Ask Powerful Questions

April 11, 2022 By EMI

This is a guest blog by Pamela A. Scott

Good QuestionsJoin me as we discuss a group of managers whose task was to share information with staff on how a company decision was made. Their conversation had gone around in circles.

Then one brave soul spoke up. “Do you think it’s likely that we can develop any sort of communication plan by continuing to pool our ignorance about how this decision was made?”

Chris Clarke-Epstein shares that story in her book “78 Important Questions Every Leaders Should Ask and Answer.”

What a great question! I particularly like “continuing to pool our ignorance. . .”

If only all questions were so wonderfully worded.

This blog focuses on asking good questions, a subject near and dear to my heart. And a challenge to just about every one of us. The blog also provides links to good questions already written for you to ask.

Your Prerequisite for This Blog

Before you dig in on how to ask questions, develop your curiosity. Curiosity is the basis for all questions. Young children torture us with their questions of “Why, Mommy?” “Why does it hurt when I fall off my bike, Daddy?” “Why is she looking at me like that?”

[Read more…] about Great Managers Ask Powerful Questions

Filed Under: Blog, Communication/Public Speaking Tagged With: Ask Effective Questions, Asking good questions, connecting with others, creativity, decision making, develop your curiosity, English as a second language, ESL sites, Gallup organization, Get the Answers You Need, grow yourself, links to good questions, Pamela A. Scott, questioning is the skill of management, Questions are powerful, shorter is better

Stomp Out the ANTs With Your Self-Confidence

February 14, 2022 By EMI

This is a guest blog by Pamela A. Scott

your self-confidenceBuilding self-confidence, in my opinion, is like a tug of war in your head. One part of you is saying, “I can do this,” while the other part of you is saying, “No you can’t. You’re a disaster.”

“Don’t believe everything you hear — even in your own head.” That advice comes from Dr. Daniel Amen, who coined the term ANTs—Automatic Negative Thoughts. Just like real ants that ruin your picnic, ANTs can ruin your day.

your self-confidence

Your goal is to stomp out those ANTs. Kill those negative thoughts. Don’t listen to them when they pop into your brain. Remember, you are in charge, not the ANTs. Dr. Amen has some suggestions on how to do that here.

People See What You Project

[Read more…] about Stomp Out the ANTs With Your Self-Confidence

Filed Under: Blog, Personal Development and Professionalism Tagged With: Automatic Negative Thoughts, becoming a high-level executive, being congenial and friendly, build your self-confidence, Building Self-Confidence, developed as an engineer, Expect to fail, Fake it ’til you make it, how you project yourself, internal coach and trainer, Keep your lessons learned, Pamela A. Scott, people management, require self-confidence, self-confidence, soft skills, Stomp Out the ANTs, Trust Yourself, you are in charge

Leaders, Help Staff Understand You

December 20, 2021 By EMI

This is a guest blog by Pamela A. Scott

StaffHere’s a data point that will NOT make your day if you are a leader in your firm.

“Seventy-four percent of employees feel they are missing out on company information and news.” It happens all the time.

Nadine, owner of a midsize professional services firm, describes her situation: “Every January, I give a state of the company address to the troops. The usual stuff: how we did last year, where we’re going this year, how excited/optimistic/cautious I am about the future, and so on. And for the next 12 months, every year, managers and staff ask me where we’re going, how we’re doing, etc.

“What am I doing wrong? I keep telling them what they want to know, but nobody seems to get it.”

No One Truly Gets It

Nadine’s story shows why communicating effectively is so tough. Consider the following.

  • Nobody — and I mean nobody — has the same perspective as the CEO. The CEO sees how myriad pieces come together.
  • Managers have been told what’s going on, but often they don’t effectively pass the information along to staffers. They are focused on taking care of their own operations.
  • The general staff know what they do — make calls, take care of projects, do good work. But they lose sight of the company’s strategic goals and plans.

Help Staff Understand You

What to Do So They Get It

[Read more…] about Leaders, Help Staff Understand You

Filed Under: Blog, Leadership/Management Tagged With: CEO, Chief Storyteller, communication, leader, leader in your firm, managers, needs to be met, Pamela A. Scott, providing a framework, reverse engineering, staff

How to Set SMART Goals in 2022 and Make Them Achievable

December 14, 2021 By EMI

It’s the end of the year. You know what that means for you, right? It’s time to set your goals for 2022.

Setting Goals Requires You to Reflect on What You Did and Did Not Accomplish in 2021

  • What new tools did you learn to use?
  • What new experience did you gain about working with clients?
  • What accomplishments are you most proud of?

Take time to reflect on your wins.

Then Turn Each of Those Questions Around to Ask Yourself What You Want to Accomplish in 2022

  • What new tools do you want to master?
  • What new interactions can you have with clients?
  • What accomplishments do you want to brag about at this time next year?

I’ve learned certain goal-setting strategies will help me — and you — be more successful. And as one CEO told me recently, “The difference between having goals and not having goals is results.”

[Read more…] about How to Set SMART Goals in 2022 and Make Them Achievable

Filed Under: Civil Engineering Tagged With: accountability partner, Be SMART, Embrace Accountability, embracing accountability, focus on your goals, Pamela A. Scott, Set SMART goals, Setting goals, SMART Goals, SMART Goals in 2022

The Truth About Selling

November 15, 2021 By EMI

This is a guest blog by Pamela A. Scott


“I hate sales!” “I could never sell anything!” I wish I had a dime—maybe a dollar—for every time I uttered phrases like that. 
 

My first business coach helped me break that thought pattern. Here is how the thinking goes:  

  1. You are an engineer who excels at (fill in the blank). 
  2. You happen to meet Chris, whose company does (fill in the blank). 
  3. Chris mentions that he/she really needs help filling a client’s request for (what you provide). 
  4. Upon hearing that, you say, “I/we can help you with that.” 
  5. Chris says, “I’d like to learn more. Call me.” 

Did you sell anything? No. 

Did you tell Chris you could help with the problem? Yes.  

Did you have to take Chris down some long sales conversation to get his/her interest? No. 

Will you close the deal? The likelihood is high.  

Change Your Thinking 

Selling isn’t about selling in that icky, slimy way that you have perceived it. Selling is about you providing a friend/client/stranger with a solution to the problem they’re trying to address. In return for your help, you get paid.  

[Read more…] about The Truth About Selling

Filed Under: Blog, Business/Entrepreneurship Tagged With: business development, Change how you think, Change Your Thinking, Emotions, engineer, Engineering, how to sell, Pamela A. Scott, relationship, sell, Sell Anything, Selling

Providing Stellar Service to Your Engineering Customers

September 13, 2021 By EMI

This is a guest blog by Pamela A. Scott

Engineering CustomersThink back to the last time you had a marvelous buying experience. It doesn’t matter what you were buying — a car, prescription drugs, or a hot dog. What made that experience stand out for you, the customer?

Now, put yourself in the shoes of your customers. They are the clients who hire you or your firm to provide whatever services you or your firm offer. How would they rate their experience as your customer?

A few years ago, I asked that question to a group of engineering project managers (PMs). Here are a few of dozens of topics they raised related to providing excellent service to their engineering customers:

Questions for Your Clients

[Read more…] about Providing Stellar Service to Your Engineering Customers

Filed Under: Blog, Networking/Client Relations Tagged With: business development, challenges, customer experiences, decision-maker, execution of the project, Pamela A. Scott, project experience, Questions for Project Managers, Questions for Your Clients, successful

How to Write Emails That Get the Job Done

August 16, 2021 By EMI

This is a guest blog by Pamela A. Scott

write emailsWhat if you could write really good emails? Would it boost your career?

I’m sure it would because being able to write really good emails would make you stand out from the crowd. Most people write emails that are average or below average.

How do you know if your emails are above average, or even really good? Here’s my formula for writing emails that set you apart from the others and endear you to your boss.

Your reader can:

  • Read and understand your email the first time through
  • Find your main point quickly
  • See whether or not he/she needs to take action now, then do so
  • Find the details needed to understand your message and act accordingly
  • Go on about his/her day without having to ask clarifying questions via another email or phone call

write emails

Top 10 Tips for Writing Great Emails

[Read more…] about How to Write Emails That Get the Job Done

Filed Under: Blog, Communication/Public Speaking Tagged With: appreciate your inbox, attached background or related details, boost your career, compelling headline, conveying info, demonstrate your professionalism, Highlight action items, include a greeting, Pamela A. Scott, purpose of your email, stand out from the crowd, Top 10 Tips, understand your email, Write Emails, write really good emails

Avoid Conflict by Focusing on These 3 Areas

July 19, 2021 By EMI

This is a guest blog by Pamela A. Scott

Avoid Conflict

“This is what I NEED them to do,” a client said during our call recently. I had to squash the groan that was trying to escape my mouth.

The words and the tone of voice this client used were enough to ensure that “they” were not at all likely to do what she wanted them to do. “They” were her peers. She was asserting authority that she didn’t have.

Here are steps you can take to have successful conversations that don’t turn into unnecessary conflict.

Look At the Words You Use

“I need,” “I want,” and “you should” are good ways to send a conversation downhill before you’ve really gotten started.

When you use those expressions, you come across as a dictator. The persons you’re talking at — not with — can feel belittled, bullied, run over, and more. They’ll possibly end up thinking you’re a jerk.

[Read more…] about Avoid Conflict by Focusing on These 3 Areas

Filed Under: Blog, Personal Development and Professionalism Tagged With: asking something, asserting authority, Avoid Conflict, Avoid sighing, body language, cadence when talking, come across as a dictator, looking at the speaker, making a statement, mindless fiddling, Pamela A. Scott, reading body language, send a conversation downhill, tone of voice, vocal inflection, words you use, Your tone of voice

80% Done Beats Perfect

June 14, 2021 By EMI

This is a guest blog by Pamela A. Scott

PerfectHave you been in this situation? You’re up against a tight budget and tight timelines on a project. You get the bulk of the work done, but then you just can’t seem to power through to the finish line.

You know your work is really good. If only I could find that one missing piece, you think. Then it would be perfect.

No. It won’t.

“No one is perfect … that’s why pencils have erasers.” ~ Author Unknown

Project manager Chris assigned Joel, a staff engineer, to work on the new roadway project. She told him what she expected and that he should get the work done in three hours.

A day went by without Joel checking back in with Chris. She called him a day later.

[Read more…] about 80% Done Beats Perfect

Filed Under: Blog, Project Management Tagged With: beating perfect, Fear of disappointing others, Fear of failure, fear of making a mistake, hours cost the project, look for lessons learned, miss out on opportunities, No one is perfect, Pamela A. Scott, perfectionism, power through to the finish line, Project Manager, search for the perfect answer, staff engineer, the perfect solution, tight budget, tight timelines, Wasted time, work on high-profile projects

Be a Better You

April 19, 2021 By EMI

This is a guest blog by Pamela A. Scott

Better YouThe people who read this blog are educated, experienced problem-solving professionals, and, I’m assuming, really smart. That is what my 15+ years of working with engineers has taught me.  

However, for many of those engineers, their confidence wanes when it comes to non-technical knowledge, skills, and abilities.  

Does the idea of public speaking give you the shakes? Do you dread having to go to network events, even virtual ones? How much do you enjoy managing people, especially the difficult ones? Are you excited about business development and finding new work?

If you aren’t as confident about those skills as you are about technical knowledge and skills, read on. Here are two steps you can take to conquer your fears and become a better you.

[Read more…] about Be a Better You

Filed Under: Blog, Mentoring Tagged With: accountability partner, Be a Coach, Better You, business development, engineers, Get a Coach, good coach, managing people, network events, non-technical knowledge, Pamela A. Scott, public speaking, Set goals, skills

Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

And Get Custom Content Delivered To You Weekly

PM Training

engineering management lessons

career readiness

Categories

  • Blog
    • Business Development
    • Business/Entrepreneurship
    • Career Goals and Challenges
    • Communication/Public Speaking
    • COVID19
    • Credentials
    • Enlightenment
    • Ethics & Integrity
    • Job Search/Salary/Relocation
    • Leadership/Management
    • Mentoring
    • Networking/Client Relations
    • News and Events
    • Organization/Productivity/Time Management
    • Personal Development and Professionalism
    • Program Management
    • Project Management
    • Travel
    • Work Life Balance
  • Civil Engineering
  • Engineering Career TV
  • Engineering Technology
  • TCEP-The Civil Engineering Podcast
    • Business Development
    • Business/Entrepreneurship
    • Career Goals and Challenges
    • Civil Engineering Entrepreneurs
    • Communication & Public Speaking
    • Credentials
    • Ethics/Integrity
    • Infrastructure
    • Job Search/Salary/Relocation
    • Leadership/Management
    • Mentoring
    • Project Management
    • Women in Engineering
  • TECC Podcast-The Engineering Career Coach Podcast
    • Business/Entrepreneurship
    • Career Game Changers
    • Career Goals and Challenges
    • Communication/Public Speaking
    • Credentials
    • Enlightenment
    • Job Search/Salary/Relocation
    • Leadership/Management
    • Mentoring
    • Networking/Client Relations
    • News and Events
    • Organization/Productivity/Time Management
    • Personal Development and Professionalism
    • Project Management
    • Work Life Balance
  • TEQC – The Engineering Quality Control Podcast
  • TGEP – The Geotechnical Engineering Podcast
  • TSEC-The Structural Engineering Channel
  • TWiCE
  • Uncategorized
  • Women in Engineering

TECC Sidebar Featured Final

ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

We Can Help You:

  • Build solutions to attract talented professionals.
  • Develop your staff’s people skills.
  • Create career roadmaps for your staff.
  • Provide PM training for your professionals.
  • Build custom development programs.
  • Scale sustainably.

Location:

50 E. Ridgewood Avenue #129

Ridgewood NJ, 07450

800-920-4007

Copyright © 2022 • All Rights Reserved • Property of Engineering Management Institute • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy