The Power of Inclusive Leadership and Mentorship in AEC Team Success

Key Concepts

• Diverse teams and their performance
• Leadership principles: authenticity, listening, availability
• Employee ownership and its impact on culture
• Project management in AEC: balancing technical solutions with business realities
• Mentorship: a two-way street, exposing early career professionals to various opportunities

Career Background and Path to Principal Consultant

Susan Divine started at Parametrics as a marketing coordinator, initially focused on proposals and winning work. She transitioned to public outreach, connecting technical aspects of projects with community needs. This involved communicating the "why" behind infrastructure projects to the public and elected officials. She progressed to project management, group leadership, and eventually became a division manager and principal consultant. Her career path was driven by curiosity, organizational skills, and a desire to serve clients and improve communities.

Role as Principal Consultant

As a principal consultant, Susan leads the community building team in Oregon and Idaho, focusing on survey, construction management, land development, and infrastructure for private clients. Her role involves working with group leads and project teams to deliver work, marketing, and pursuing new projects. She enjoys the challenge of complex projects and the meaningfulness of smaller-scale projects.

Working with Diverse Clients

Susan works with a diverse range of clients, including tribal governments, public agencies, and private sector partners. Despite their differences, these clients share the common need for food, water, housing, and other essential services. She manages multiple projects simultaneously, ranging from multi-million dollar high-tech developments to $50,000 grants for tribal housing. The key is listening and connecting solutions to real people.

Example Project: Partnering with a tribe in northwest Washington state located in a tsunami zone to secure grant funding for new, safer facilities on higher ground, including a new school. This project involves various aspects of Parametrics' services, such as environmental, transportation, water, and land development.

Core Principles for Working with Clients

• Authenticity: Being genuine and honest with clients, acknowledging limitations, and acting as a trusted partner.
• Listening: Understanding clients' needs and perspectives.
• Availability: Being approachable and accessible to clients and team members.

Susan emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment where team members can make mistakes and learn from them.

Approaching Complex Projects

Susan believes all projects are complicated, regardless of size. Her approach involves:

1. Assembling teams of experts in their respective fields.
2. Listening to stakeholders and understanding their perspectives.
3. Breaking down the project into manageable tasks.
4. Maintaining organization and clear communication.

She sees herself as a "project advocate," facilitating collaboration and ensuring successful project delivery.

Project Management in AEC: Unique Aspects

Project management in AEC requires balancing technical solutions with contractual obligations (scope, schedule, and budget). Susan emphasizes that consultants are not just technical experts but also business professionals. They sell time, innovation, and ideas, packaged as projects that must be profitable and of high quality.

Mentorship Strategies

Susan advocates for a two-way mentorship approach, where she shares her experience while also learning from early career professionals. She encourages mentees to explore different areas of interest within the industry and exposes them to various opportunities, such as writing scopes of work, developing proposals, and working with different client sectors.

Employee Ownership and Leadership Culture

Parametrics' employee ownership model fosters a collaborative and accessible leadership culture. Everyone is equally invested in the company's success, promoting a "we" mentality rather than a "me" mentality. Leaders are actively engaged in supporting and empowering employees, setting high expectations, and challenging each other to achieve their best.

Final Advice for AEC Leaders

• Be curious and authentic.
• Be approachable and genuine.
• Have a passion for your work.
• Show up, care, and listen.
• Expect a lot of yourself and others, fostering a collaborative environment.

Synthesis/Conclusion

Susan Divine's insights highlight the importance of leadership principles such as authenticity, listening, and availability in the AEC industry. Her career journey demonstrates the value of curiosity and a commitment to serving clients and communities. The emphasis on employee ownership at Parametrics underscores the power of collaboration and shared success. By balancing technical expertise with business acumen and fostering a supportive environment for mentorship, AEC leaders can effectively navigate complex projects and empower their teams to achieve their full potential.