Why Engineers Who Are SERVANT Leaders Outshine the Rest

Key Concepts

• Serve First, Lead Second Philosophy
• Servant Leadership vs. People Pleasing
• Building Confidence in Leadership
• Situational Leadership
• Importance of Storytelling in Communication
• Audience-Conscious vs. Self-Conscious Communication

Main Topics and Key Points

1. Introduction to Patrick Guide and His Background

• Patrick Guide has an engineering background, an MBA, and experience in the Marine Corps.
• He is a leadership development coach and speaker.
• He is starting a position as a senior marketing manager at DAO.
• His unique background combines technical expertise with leadership skills.

2. Evolution of Leadership Style: From People Pleaser to Servant Leader

• The core focus has always been prioritizing people.
• Transitioned from seeking acceptance to genuinely wanting to see others well off.
• Servant leadership comes from a point of strength, aiming to improve the team and help others grow.
• Values-based approach rather than seeking approval or fearing rejection.
• Example: As a young lieutenant, prioritizing Marines built trust, but also required drawing the line when necessary, even with pushback. "Mission first, men always."

3. Building Confidence in Leadership

• Quote by Alexi: "Confidence doesn't come by yelling affirmations in the mirror but by having a stack of undeniable proof that you are who you say you are. You must outwork your self-doubt."
• Leadership is a skill that needs to be practiced.
• Find opportunities to lead, don't be afraid to make mistakes, and learn from them.
• Study great leaders, read books, and watch podcasts.
• Volunteer in the community, church, or kids' sports teams to gain leadership experience.
• Get involved with professional associations and lead committees.

4. Serve First, Lead Second Philosophy

• Patrick's experience as a caregiver for his father, who had ALS, instilled a passion for serving others.
• Service comes before leadership; impacting people is the core goal.
• When people feel genuinely cared for, they are more willing to go above and beyond.
• Building trust comes from serving people first.
• Leaders Eat Last: Simon Sinek's book and the Marine Corps tradition exemplify prioritizing the troops' needs over the leader's.
• Leadership is an obligation, not a right.
• John Maxwell's saying: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
• EMI's values: Give, Guide, Grow. Example: Serving lunch to 500 people at a homeless shelter.

5. Developing Leadership Skills for Technical Professionals

• Engineers often rise through the ranks based on technical expertise.
• Leadership is a force multiplier in technical industries.
• Skills needed to be a successful team lead are different from those of an individual contributor.
• Leadership development is not optional; it's a requirement for effective management.
• Investing in leadership pays dividends: better work culture, productivity, and creating more leaders.
• Practice leadership daily, read books, and be intentional about listening to the team.
• Technical leaders understand projects well and can mentor and guide their teams.
• Senior leaders spend less time on technical details and more on people.

6. Situational Leadership

• Framework by Hersey and Blanchard: Adapt leadership style to the needs of the people being led.
• Example: A new hire requires hands-on coaching and direction, while an experienced team member values being left alone.
• Leaders must identify the situation and understand the person before approaching it.
• Leadership is not a cookie-cutter business.
• People go through seasons of life, and their needs from a leader may change.
• Be a great listener, ask questions, and pay attention to the signs.

7. Improving Public Speaking Skills

• Know your audience: Tailor your message to their needs and understanding.
• Build a message based on an understanding of your audience.
• Use a simple framework to make the message more memorable.
• Storytelling: Use stories to make the message impactful, memorable, and relatable.
• Less Brown: "Never make a point without telling a story, never tell a story without making a point."
• Be audience-conscious, not self-conscious: Focus on giving value to the audience, not on what they think of you.
• Donald Miller's Story Brand is a good resource for storytelling.

8. Key Advice for AEC Leaders

• Be more curious about people.
• The more you understand what drives those around you, the more capable you become to lead them.
• Leadership is not about having all the answers; it's about asking the right questions.

Technical Terms and Concepts

• ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease): A progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
• Servant Leadership: A leadership philosophy in which the main goal of the leader is to serve.
• Situational Leadership: A leadership style that adapts to the needs of the situation and the followers.
• Force Multiplier: Something that increases the effectiveness of an action.
• Audience-Conscious: Being aware of and responsive to the needs and interests of the audience.
• Self-Conscious: Being excessively aware of oneself and one's actions, often leading to anxiety.

Logical Connections

• The discussion starts with Patrick's background and how it shaped his leadership philosophy.
• It then delves into the evolution of his leadership style, emphasizing the transition from people-pleasing to servant leadership.
• Building confidence is presented as a crucial element for effective leadership.
• The "Serve First, Lead Second" philosophy is explained with personal anecdotes and examples.
• The conversation transitions to developing leadership skills for technical professionals, addressing the fear of abandoning technical expertise.
• Situational leadership is introduced as a framework for adapting leadership styles to different team members and circumstances.
• The discussion concludes with advice on improving public speaking skills and a final piece of advice for AEC leaders.

Synthesis/Conclusion

Patrick Guide's leadership journey, shaped by his engineering background, military service, and personal experiences, emphasizes the importance of servant leadership, continuous self-improvement, and adapting to the needs of others. His "Serve First, Lead Second" philosophy, combined with practical advice on building confidence, situational leadership, and effective communication, provides actionable insights for AEC professionals looking to enhance their leadership skills and create a positive impact on their teams and organizations. The key takeaway is to be genuinely curious about people, understand their motivations, and lead with empathy and a focus on serving their needs.