AEC Industry Insights
PSMJ Article: Making Annual Reviews A Positive Process
Making Annual Reviews A Positive Process Download
Culture & People
Why Regular Reviews Matter—Even When You’re “Too Busy”
A surprising number of firms still don’t run any kind of structured employee review process—not annually, not quarterly, not ever. And when you dig into why, the answer is usually some version of this: “Our technical leads are slammed. They don’t have time to review their people.” Fair point. In Read more…
Culture & People
Death by Meeting
Every leader knows what a bad meeting feels like. The energy drops. People disengage. The conversation wanders. And by the end, nothing is decided, everyone is more confused than when they started, and the only clear outcome is the collective wish that the meeting had been cancelled. This is what Read more…
Culture & People
The Pace of Learning
There’s no question that specialization can drive efficiency and quality for design professionals. The deeper you go in one area, the more proficient and accurate you become. But too much specialization can come at a cost—limited flexibility and fewer opportunities for the broader learning that comes from diverse experiences. So, Read more…
Culture & People
Fight, Flight, or Freeze — The Best Move in Uncertain Times
We find ourselves in uncertain times. Then again, one could argue we always do—it’s just that sometimes we perceive things to be more stable than they are. Stability is often an illusion; change and disruption are constant. In moments of uncertainty, our natural wiring kicks in: fight, flight, or freeze. Read more…
Business Operating Systems
Accountants Know the Numbers—But That’s Not the Whole Business
A CFO I worked with used to say, “The difference between an accountant and an engineer is that the accountant doesn’t think they can do engineering.” It’s a funny line, but there’s some real insight behind it. Most accounting firm owners I’ve worked with are sharp, disciplined, and deeply grounded Read more…
Culture & People
The Double-Edged Sword of Vulnerability in Leadership
Vulnerability is often celebrated as a hallmark of great leadership. Countless articles in Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and WSJ highlight how leaders who are open, transparent, and willing to admit mistakes build trust, inspire loyalty, and create high-performing teams. And they’re right—up to a point. But let’s talk about the Read more…
Culture & People
Three Ways You Are Undermining a Culture of Accountability
Accountability isn’t just a leadership buzzword—it’s the backbone of every successful organization. Yet, as leaders, we often undermine this critical cultural element without even realizing it. Through my experience as a firm leader and consultant, I’ve seen three behaviors that erode accountability faster than you can say, “Who’s responsible for Read more…
Culture & People
The Power of Extra Effort: How Small Choices Create Big Results
In today’s culture, working hard is often painted as “uncool.” The narrative seems to be: do just enough to get by, maximize leisure, and aim for “work-life balance”—a phrase increasingly used to justify the bare minimum at work. But what’s lost in this perspective is the undeniable truth that a Read more…
Business Operating Systems
Why Clear Expectations and Accountability Lead to Higher Adoption
Leadership sets the tone for how processes and tools are adopted within a firm. But it’s not enough to invest in technology or introduce new procedures. To see meaningful adoption—especially when it comes to project management—leaders must be explicit about expectations and hold their teams accountable for following through. In Read more…