Engineering Management Institute

Pamela Scott

Not Enough Hours in the Day? These Tips Can Help You Out

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This is a guest blog by Pamela A. Scott

enough hoursTime. It seems no one has enough of it, even though we all have the same 24/7.

Here I sit on a Friday morning with — get ready for it — free time!

This email came in late yesterday afternoon. “Pam, I hate to do this, but I’ve got to reschedule our call.” I’m glad that client couldn’t hear me cheering. Yes! Scheduled time has been freed! Now what?

If I had my druthers, I’d be out in the sunroom, immersed in a novel I’m reading. Instead, I’m writing this blog because it’s due next week, and I want to get it done now.

If you wrestle to get control of how you spend your time, check out these resources.

50 Questions That Focus on Your Relationship With Time

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Shut Down Analysis Paralysis and Start to “Satisfice”

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This is a guest blog by Pamela A. Scott

analysis paralysisDo you struggle to make decisions? Most of us do—at least when dealing with something significant.

Do you find yourself trapped by analysis paralysis? Many of us do. We think and we think and we think, and then we think some more. And maybe we eventually act.

I believe decision-making and analysis paralysis are intertwined. You can throw decision fatigue into that mix as well. Decision fatigue occurs because we simply have too many decisions to make on any given day. Check out this site for lots more on decision fatigue.

In his book “The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less,” Barry Schwartz delves into why we struggle to make decisions.

285 Types of Cookies, Oh My!

In his neighborhood supermarket, he found 285 varieties of cookies. Can you pick just one? The average supermarket carries nearly 40,000 items for you to pick from. It gives me a headache to even think about those choices.

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TECC 260: Top Skills All Engineers Need to Excel in for Their Careers

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Top Skills All Engineers Need to Excel in for Their Careers

In this episode, we talk to Pamela A. Scott, an executive coach to CEOs and business owners, focusing on communication, managing people, leadership, and emotional intelligence. You might have seen some of the inspirational articles she has authored on The Engineering Management Institute blog before. She’s also been a guest speaker for EMI’s program, The Civil Engineering Collective and in this episode she talks about how engineers can grow and advance their careers by discussing certain skills all engineers need and can always improve upon.

Engineering Quotes:

Pamela A. Scott Tweeted

Jeff Perry, MBA Tweeted this

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Top Skills All Engineers Need to Excel in for Their Careers:

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The Truth About Selling

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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.  

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Numbers May Drive the Business, but People Drive the Numbers®

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This is a guest blog by Pamela A. Scott

People Drive the NumbersFor several years, I had the good fortune to be in CEO mastermind groups. These confidential mastermind groups were comprised of CEOs who shared their frustrations and challenges in running their businesses.  A favorite mantra of these CEOs was, “This would be a great business if I didn’t have to deal with people.” That mantra led to me creating my tagline: Numbers may drive the business, but people drive the numbers®.  Without the people, you have no business.

Here Are Some Tips for Taking Care of Your People:

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Become a Feedback Superstar

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Remember when you were in school and you turned in a paper that you had worked hard on and were proud of? Then you got the paper back.

Right at the top in bright red ink — or was it blood? — your teacher or professor had scrawled, “See me!” What did that message, always written in red, do to you?

What you got was a harsh version of feedback — one that’s painful, bewildering, embarrassing, and leaving you at a loss for words.

The fact that a red pen was used just made it worse. Studies have found that the color red is associated with “warning, prohibition, caution, anger, embarrassment and being wrong.”

Giving feedback should not produce those emotions.

Why Give Feedback

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What Makes You YOU?

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This is a guest blog by Pamela A. Scott

What Makes You YOU?What do you want to be known for as a professional? Call it personal branding if that phrase means something to you. What do you want your peers, bosses, clients, and professional associates to say about you? 

How can you stand out from the crowd? What differentiates you from your professional associates? 

For seven years, I did the kickoff session for a future leaders program for the Georgia chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies. Participants were young engineers with a few years on the job. We could have anywhere from 25 to 50 in the room.  

I always asked them to tell me about their company. Every one of them said something along the lines of “we’re the best . . .” Basically, they all said the same thing — engineering and technical skills. 

Then I’d ask what differentiates their firm from others in the room. Silence.  

Let’s take that to the individual level. What makes you YOU? What do you want people to remember about you?  

Here are some ideas to get you thinking about yourself. 

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How Effective Leaders Should Give Feedback — Especially During Sensitive Times

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This is a guest blog by Pamela A. Scott

Give FeedbackIs it time to change the way leaders give feedback to employees? Feedback is tough to give (or receive) in the best of times. Doubly so during troubling times, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a high-stress environment, emotions are high. Sensitivities are raised. Feedback is tricky.

However, giving feedback is part of a leader’s job. Feedback helps employees grow and adapt their behavior. It adds to their knowledge — if the feedback is given properly.

Give Feedback

When fall arrives, managers and employees realize it’s time to prepare for performance feedback sessions. While some companies do reviews at other times, the tips in this article can help you improve how you give feedback any time of year.

So how should effective leaders give feedback, especially during sensitive times? Below are four strategies to make feedback more effective in any climate. The content in this article has been adapted from the “MentorLoft Leadership Feedback Assessment.”

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