How to Lead Multi Layered AEC Teams in Billion Dollar Infrastructure Projects

Key Concepts:

• Multi-layered team leadership
• Clarity in communication
• Aligning capabilities with goals
• Understanding and fostering potential
• Importance of mentorship and sponsorship
• Building trust within teams
• Adapting to project challenges
• Client expectation management
• Balancing technical and business excellence
• Diversity and empathy in leadership

1. Background and Career Path:

• Amma Asamada, SVP of Aviation at WSP, attributes her career trajectory to a family emphasis on academic and professional excellence.
• Her mantra is to "keep moving forward" and avoid limiting beliefs.
• She pursued additional degrees and classes in leadership and business, including finance and accounting, based on early career mentorship.
• An early management acceleration program led to international experience in aviation, managing projects and resources regionally, which prepared her for her current leadership role.

2. Transitioning from International to US Projects:

• The transition back to the US was facilitated by a network of former colleagues and clients from her international experience.
• The global project management community is interconnected, especially at higher levels.

3. Mentorship and Sponsorship:

• Amma emphasizes the importance of listening and learning from others, even those with differing opinions.
• She highlights the role of sponsors in supporting her career advancement, which was built upon her initial investment in herself.

4. Structuring and Aligning Multi-Layered Teams:

• Clarity is essential in defining what's needed and aligning people's skills and potential.
• Understanding individual career goals is crucial for fostering growth within the team.
• The process starts with understanding client needs and tailoring the organizational chart accordingly, filling roles with individuals who can grow into them.
• Example: An inspector growing into a senior inspector or assistant construction manager role over the project's duration.
• Continuity of resources and knowledge is a key factor in the success of multi-billion-dollar programs.

5. Assessing and Positioning Diverse Teams Under Pressure:

• Leadership requires collaboration and leveraging the strengths of the team.
• Trust is paramount, especially under pressure and tight deadlines, and is built through open communication throughout the project cycle.
• Agility in adapting to challenges and assessing team bandwidth is essential.
• Projects fail when everything relies on one person; leaders must utilize and inspire their teams.

6. Adapting to Project Challenges: A Case Study:

• Overseas project with tight deadlines and resource constraints required increasing resources quickly to provide 24/7 inspection services.
• Mobilized internal team and worked with the client to bring in and vet additional resources.
• Temporary staff (TDY) were brought in from around the world, with many staying on for extended periods in more advanced roles.
• This agility and collaboration allowed the team to meet deadlines.

7. Clarifying Client Expectations:

• Listening is the most important aspect of understanding client needs.
• Bring additional team members to take notes and ensure comprehensive information gathering.
• Provide assurance that solutions are being explored and communicate findings back to the client for alignment.
• Transparency and open communication build trust.

8. Influence of Global Project Experience on Leadership:

• Experience on diverse projects shapes knowledge and expectations.
• Different projects have different purposes (e.g., showcasing a country vs. optimizing passenger experience).
• Blending international and US approaches, considering budget constraints, and offering tailored solutions based on past experiences.
• Example: Suggesting or not suggesting amenities like hotels or spas based on airport demographics and purpose.

9. Balancing Technical and Business Excellence:

• Technical excellence is intertwined with business excellence; client satisfaction is paramount.
• Excellence means meeting scope, budget, and schedule, leading to repeat business and profitability.
• "100% perfect" is defined by what the client wants, requiring understanding their needs, aligning resources, and being transparent about costs and parameters.

10. Final Advice for AEC Leaders:

• Ensure the team reflects the community and client being served to overcome people-centric challenges.
• Empathy is key; show that you care about the well-being and success of your team.
• Inspire people to work with you, not for you, to build trust and achieve impact.

11. Notable Quotes:

• "Keep moving forward. Never have a ceiling above you that you would reach at some point." - Amma Asamada
• "Leadership isn't just about directing outcomes. It's about unlocking potential in people, in programs, and in purpose." - Amma Asamada

12. Synthesis/Conclusion:

Amma Asamada's approach to leading large, multi-layered teams on billion-dollar programs centers on clarity, empathy, and strategic alignment. By prioritizing open communication, understanding individual potential, and fostering a diverse and inclusive team environment, leaders can build trust, adapt to challenges, and achieve both technical and business excellence. Her emphasis on continuous learning, mentorship, and a client-centric approach provides a practical framework for success in the AEC industry.