ELP 2011 Firm Leadership (Group Discussion)- July 17, 2011

Risk and Reward were the main topics of discussion in our latest leadership class with Pete following the firm leadership panel.  Defining success both within your organization and for yourself personally are key to determining which actions bring the biggest payoff as you climb (or catapult) the corporate ladder, regardless of whether or not one formally exists within your company.

Two paths to firm leadership were discussed: position & power vs. responsibility & authority.

Those who follow the position & power model do their jobs diligently and masterfully, sticking to the set path for professional growth and expecting increasingly powerful job titles along the way.   Someone with this mindset quickly identifies who holds the power within an organization and works to build relationships with those influential individuals in order to learn and progress on an accelerated path. 

Those who follow the responsibility & authority model progress professionally in a much more organic way.  Always willing to step outside the realm of their prescribed responsibilities,  someone with this mindset is eager to embark on any new learning opportunity that arises, regardless of the risk of negative repercussions that may result.  More often, their risks earn them authority and respect amongst their peers and supervisors which may or may not be formally recognized on the traditional corporate ladder.

Our individual paths to leadership are heavily influenced by the work environments and fellow leaders we’re surrounded by but also by our personal comfort levels with risk and reward.  As emerging leaders, we all possess positive and negative traits from both mindsets which each of us can now acknowledge and adapt to our own individual definitions of success.

Laurel Stone
5G Studio

ELP 2011 Firm Leadership (Panelist Discussion)- July 17, 2011

Firm Leadership.

Alas the time has come! A conversation that challenges the very existence of what it means to “emerge as a leader.” What types of qualities does it take to run a large architectural firm? What skill sets will my employees and clients demand of me? How does one establish a solid foundation to run a small independent practice? 

These were just a few of the many questions floating around the newly completed PageSoutherlandPage Conference Room last Friday as our class got an amazing opportunity to converse with four talented architects in the DFW area: David Botello of Gensler, Robert Doane of PageSoutherlandPage, Todd Howard of t. howard & associates architects, and Stephen Galbreath of RTKL.  

 

There seemed to be a common theme in articulating what some would call a “Successful Practitioner.” Even though running a business as an architect requires a business savvy component, one of the keys to maintaining a solid ground is to have fun! Really? Have fun? Is it that simple? Well, not quite. But if you don’t want to end up pulling your hair out after dealing with a challenging client who scrapped the design that you spent all night working on or a consultant that failed to coordinate a major change or even a contractor that finds the Contract Documents more as a suggestion than a rule, then you have to learn how to mix business with pleasure and enjoy what you do.  Have fun!

So what about marketing? How can my firm and I stand out to potential clients and remain competitive in the design and construction industry? The simple answer would be to befriend rich people. Don’t know many? Well you could just establish a broader network of people in a variety of other professional careers and industries and be a “people’s person.”  Mr. Galbreath suggested, “People don’t hire you just because you are a good architect. People hire you because they like you.” If you don’t have the marketing gift, consider finding someone who does, and get them to work for you. 

Once you start to establish these connections, work can start to find its way into your office. Mr. Galbreath and Mr. Botello refer to this system as “The Web” or “The Tree”. Once the framework is set, things start to build upon themselves but it takes effort and you can’t just sit and wait for the phone to ring.  As a firm leader you also need to identify the gaps in your workforce, fill them with the appropriate personnel and you are in the beginning stages of running an architectural firm.

Whether your individual goal is to move up into firm leadership at your current workplace or to start your own practice, this guide to success applies to all situations: Have a strong passion for the things you enjoy and become great at what you are good at.

Stay thirsty (for knowledge) my friends....

Ray Fambro

Raymond Harris & Associates

ELP 2011 Civic Leadership (Group Discussion)- May, 13, 2011

In May class with Dr. Pete,  we grouped into teams of three.  One played Dr. P.W. Roland, another played Dr. H.P. Jones, and last person was an observer.  Dr. Pete himself played Mr. Cardoza, a fruit exporter. Both Dr. Roland and Dr. Jones who are biologists for pharmaceutical firms are urgently seeking purchase of Ugli oranges to save lives. The oranges are only available from Mr Cardoza. How they can resolve this situation?   Some team found the solution easily and some struggled with no solutions but yelling to each other “ I need all of the oranges”.  There was simple solution which was only available when both provide honest and open information to resolve the problem together.   The team who engaged in honest dialogue soon realized that they need a different part of orange.  Dr. Roland needs rinds of orange and Dr. Jones needs Juice of orange.  It means they can buy orange together and take only what they want at half of the cost. The team who just wanted to win and secure all the oranges available without making effort to understand each other and the situation had no winners. Also, there was no team shared the reason why they needs orange with Mr. Cardonza.  Who knows he can give all of his oranges at no or lower cost?

Dr. Pete further explained with two mental models in terms of resolving conflict. Model I,  you must win no matter what it takes and control everything. Model II,  you are making open and honest dialogues and willing redirect your direction with new information.  As we leaned in this role play, only open dialogues with honest questions and answers can lead you to the right direction.

As an architects, we always have to discuss with other team members, consultants, clients and others to resolve conflicts. Are we settling with compromised solutions or truly seeking for win win solutions?

Jae Lee
Beck Architecture

ELP 2011 Civic Leadership (Panelist Discussion)- May 13,2011

For the May 2011 AIA Emerging Leaders Class, our group met at Jubilee Community Center near Fair Park.  Our previous ELP speaker, Walter Humann played a key role in founding and building the Jubilee Community Center. In addition to this project, we were able to see several of the homes on Congo Street that our classmate, Benje Feehan worked on with bcWorkshop.

In addition to the great architecture we experienced during our May meeting, we had two speakers focused on Civic Leadership: Craig Holcomb and David Whitely.  Craig Holcomb, a former Dallas City Council member and Executive Director of Friends of Fair Park spoke about the history  and hurdles faced with saving Fair Park and the development of Katy Trail. He explained that the City constantly struggles with balancing the big projects with “filling the pot holes”. When asked how one would get involved with civic leadership, he suggested first finding out what you are interested in and doing something you enjoy.

David Whitley, Associate Director of Dallas CityDesgin Studio discussed how the CityDesign Studio was formed and what they are involved in.  He spoke about the Trinity River Project and west Dallas development.  David reminded the group, that our design practice is a form of civic endeavor, because we are shaping the city.

Jacquelyn Block

Perkins & Will

ELP 2011- Fundraiser Event



“Lots of fun!!!!!”

“Had a great time!!!!”

“Event was a great Success!”

“Great atmosphere!!!”

“Great way to unwind and meet people”

“Love the food!!!”

“Meet a lot of interesting people”

“It was a very successful effort”

“BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE!!!!!”

This is what people were saying after the first fundraiser event held by the 2011 ELP class. The Mini Golf + Happy Hour took place at Adventure Landing in North Dallas on Thursday May 12, 2011. It was a beautiful day to get together with my fellow Emerging Leaders, past and present, along with many friends, co workers, and our many sponsors.

After enjoying the great food and drinks, I met up with my friends from Smith Seckman Reid (one of our sponsors) for 18 holes of miniature golf. I’ve worked with these guys for the past two years but it was really nice to hang out with them outside of work. Afterwards, I found out that I need to work on my putting game more often. 

At 8:30 that evening it was time for the main event, the raffle drawing. There were many great prizes including Texas Ranger’s tickets, Roughrider’s tickets, a Kindle and many others, but everyone had their eye on the grand prize, the ipad 2. The lucky people who got to take these prizes home were not the only winners; the biggest winner on the night was the Mercy Street Field of Dreams Project. All the proceeds from the Mini Golf + Happy Hour went to this great charity. This wasn’t my night to get a prize but I was really happy that this event was a tremendous success.

I was proud of all the hard work that our class had done, especially the Fundraising Committee. The only thing that would have made this night better was if I would have taken the ipad home with me. Oh well, maybe next time.

Emmanuel Jaimes

FKP Architects

ELP 2011 Architecture Advocacy (Group Discussion)- April 15, 2011

  At one point in time we have all been part of a team and team building strategies were key to our past class lead by Dr. Pete DeLisle.  It was a gorgeous, sunny Friday afternoon and 20 of us gathered outside for a little game of catch.  We grouped into teams, each formed a circle and tossed around a tennis ball.   First reciting the name of the target and then letting the ball fly.  Pretty easy, right?  We thought so too, until it became a complex problem.  Beginning with a simple game of catch with one tennis ball gradually increased to four simultaneously tennis balls flying in the air with each person shouting the name of their target while simultaneously catching a ball tossed by another.  You get the picture?

This flurry of activity was designed to mimic the theoretical “balls” we are all trying to juggle, manage and accept in our daily architectural practices.  The model signified the importance of trust and communication when working as a team.  Yes, a few tennis balls may have been dropped; however, if all teammates are paying attention the problem is quickly remedied and the task moves forward successfully. 

Emily Harrold

DSGN Associates

ELP 2011 Architecture Advocacy (Panelist Discussion)- April 15, 2011

April’s meeting provided the 2011 ELP class a chance to peruse the Plush Gallery in conjunction with the office of Cunningham Architects, in prelude to a great opportunity to discuss advocacy in architecture at a State and National level. The distinguished  panel of guest included Shade L. O’Quinn, 2012 President Elect of AIA Dallas, and 2010 Vice President; and Jennifer Workman, upcoming Chair of the National Young Architects Forum and Dallas Director on the TSA board .

Ms. Workman recalled her early involvement with the AIA as an associate member, and at the time recognized a need for the young emerging professionals to have a voice on local committees and boards.  This propelled her to seek a chair on the Associates committee and begin the A.R.E. Success Team which helped mentor and license numerous architects in record time.  She also shared that an effective advocate will strive to represent the needs of the profession at the State and National levels, and continue to become immersed in various avenues to help accomplish these goals. Ms. Workman exemplifies this message by serving as a chair for the AIA Dallas Ken Roberts Competition while preparing for her term as Chair of the National YAF. Mr. O’Quinn relayed his vast years of experience with the Dallas Chapter and identified the characteristics that make it stand out as one of the best in the nation. He also described the unique opportunities and challenges in working with a variety of interest at both the local and national level.

Kirby Zengler
JHP Architecture/Urban Design