Be Inspired and Inspire Others

Originally presented at PCBC 2024 on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.

Nurturing and developing emerging leaders makes an organization resilient and builds a sense of belonging and fulfillment in our team members.  

In my 2024 PCBC re:think session, I shared three ideas that inspire me and three ideas I use to inspire others.

FOR YOUR INSPIRATION

New brains have entered the building - Ronda Conger

At one of my first PCBCs, at a 40 under 40 session, Ronda Conger shared this idea about how “new brains have entered the building.” I think about this every time I welcome someone new to my team. Sure, they don’t know how we do things, and they don’t know all the technical skills they’ll eventually need - but embracing the enthusiasm and curiosity that new people bring invigorates our team. And I am often blown away by how smart they are and the skills they bring that we don’t have.

Be a talent multiplier - Liz Wiseman, Multipliers

In the book Multipliers, Liz Wiseman challenges leaders to nurture the talents of their teams and get out of their way! Give them chances to succeed, to fail, and learn from both experiences. If a manager is too quick with ideas or too supportive, they become an accidental diminisher, blocking growth opportunities for their team. This can cause people to be dependent on the leader or miss chances to fend for themselves. 

She asks, “What do they do without effort?”, “What do they do without being asked?” and calls that their native genius. So, create space for that, connect people with opportunities, and find a balance so they feel supported, but not too much. 

Find your career north arrow - Jill Bergman, AIA Women’s Leadership Summit

I always knew I wanted to be an architect, so my singular career goal was to pass all the exams to become a Licensed architect, and I didn’t think any further than that. Once I did it, I thought; what am I going to do next?? It was only then when I thought; I could be a leader in a firm - why not? When leadership opportunities are not clearly visible, it’s hard to define them as a goal.

Last year, I learned the concept of career mapping, or “finding your career north arrow” to give yourself a sense of direction for an authentic and vibrant career. If you’ve ever drawn or referred to a site plan, you know you need a north arrow to orient yourself. 

You could do this at any point: if you’re early in your career, you’re looking forward, and if you’re later in your career, you’re looking for patterns that have happened over time. When creating your career map, the point is to focus on roles and responsibilities rather than titles. Identifying the areas that resonate with you and your skills will orient you in an authentic direction. 

FOR INSPIRING OTHERS

Uncovering unrealized capabilities

Which brings me to… help people realize what they’re capable of.

I spoke on a panel to students at UC Berkeley, and one of them asked: “What do you wish you had known earlier in your career?” I answered, “I wish I knew what I was capable of.”

You’ll sometimes encounter people whose confidence outpaces their abilities but, more often, I find people need encouragement to demystify the parts of leadership that they might see as out of reach. My journey to firm principal required me to think beyond being an architect, to go from being a doer to an influencer, and I want other people to know that’s possible for them too. Through sharing stories related to their experiences, sometimes even the vulnerable ones, they can tap into their power as emerging leaders. 

Hire a diverse team and embrace their unique identities 

Earlier this year, I led a panel discussion at my firm during Women in Construction Week, and team members shared deeply personal stories of their past challenges and struggles in the profession. It struck me that DAHLIN had cultivated an environment where sharing these stories in front of the whole company was not only comfortable but a valuable experience for those sharing and listening. 

Some of these women had come from all over the world, and their paths into architecture had been challenging. The outcome shed light on the value of embracing and celebrating their identity and letting them be their authentic selves at work. When each of us feels a sense of safety, acceptance, and belonging, we can be more present, more productive, and more creative!

Finding fulfillment

Finally, in our annual reviews this year, I asked each team member: “What is one thing in your role that brings you a sense of fulfillment?”

One said that their late father was a shop teacher and as the only member of their family to go into the building industry, they knew each day going to work that their father would be proud of them. 

One said that their 6-year-old brags to his kindergarten friends, “My dad’s company built that new building in town.”

I asked the question to help them find inspiration, but in turn, they inspired me.