Susan Young's
Amplify Blog

 

 

 

The New PMs Are Watching. What Are You Showing Them?

New project managers are watching you.

What are you showing them?

In every meeting, on every jobsite, and during every project handoff, your emerging leaders are quietly taking notes.

They may not speak up yet.

But they are watching how you...

✅Communicate under pressure

✅Handle mistakes

✅Give direction

✅Treat others

Your actions become their playbook.

🧨Here's the truth about A/E/C: Strong communication and visible ownership are non-negotiable.

It's not only about what you say—it's how you lead through words, tone, clarity, and follow-up.

If experienced leaders model sarcasm, vague directions, or avoid responsibility, younger project managers are likely to do the same—and think it's acceptable when it's not.

Your communication and the leadership culture of your firm come down to this:

🗝️You lead by example, not memos and long meetings.

Train your next-level leaders today so that they don't mirror outdated and bad habits.

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The Silent Webinar: Why It's Time to Grow Communication Confidence

There was an engineering webinar yesterday with 225 people online. 

I was one of them.

I was on camera.

As I scrolled through the participants, I noticed 99 percent were off-camera. 

No faces. 

Most didn't even have a headshot or image—just a dark screen with their name.

😮The chat? Silent.

😮The interaction? Nonexistent.

😮The engagement? Almost zero.

There was no technical glitch. It was a communication culture issue.

When busy A/E/C firms invest in webinars, training, or virtual meetings, they often forget the human part:

➡️ People don't engage when they don't feel safe and confident.

➡️ Cameras stay off when participants feel awkward.

Yes, I realize some may have been eating lunch or caring for a child. Zoom fatigue is a real thing. But the entire group??!!

➡️ Silence in the chat is a symptom of disengagement or a lack of confidence to express views or at least say hi to others online. 

I posted in the chat right before the start of the program: "Thank you (organizer's ...

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Preparing A/E/C Project Managers for Successful Shortlisted Interviews

Many PMs, superintendents, estimators, and others have deep technical knowledge—but often lack experience in client-facing conversations.

📈That’s not a flaw; it’s a gap that training and education can address.

With today's new strategies, A/E/C teams can develop the confidence and communication skills needed to differentiate your firm—building trust, getting referrals, and strengthening client relationships.🥇

🎯Here are four foundational areas to help employees shift their mindset and be better prepared to capture pursuits.

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What If You Saw R-O-I Differently?

Imagine getting a 5,000% return-on-investment from an online training program.

🎯Instead of personality assessments or active listing, our Top Tier Communicator course delivers this whopping R-O-I within two months of the program.🎯

This is how it can happen for you:

➡️Invest $20,000 in staff training with timeless "rinse and repeat" processes.

➡️Your firm wins a $1 million (small potatoes) bid using these our timeless processes.

➡️Your ROI = 5,000%, typically within 1-2 months.

😮Think about it.

Have any past trainings delivered these kind of results???

How is this even possible?

🎯We equip your staff with communication strategies that are 99% repeatable. Most people in A/E/C are unfamiliar with these tools.

We teach the brain science behind confidence, productivity, and leadership so employees are more proactive and impactful.

Teams build new relationships and help win bids.

Graduates of our courses easily elevate visibility and performance.

🧨Three success examples:

🔷A "nervous" manager spoke on a pan...

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How Newer Hires Become Clear and Memorable Communicators

A/E/C stakeholders pay attention and hire firms when business development teams show their critical thinking skills. 

If your emerging leaders want essential communication strategies to grow trust, confidence, and business, take a look at this training I did for the SMPS-Palmetto chapter.  

Watch the presentation here.

🧨🧨And plan to take lots of notes!🧨🧨

Reach out if your organization wants today's tools that build confidence and help win bids. 

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How to Uplevel Servant Leadership in A/E/C

Let's back up the bus on servant leadership in A/E/C.

Being of service and positively impacting communities is a noble pursuit.

The buzz around this phrase, though, weakens the intent.

➡️Servant leadership isn't exclusive to your broader community.

It also applies to internal teams within A/E/C firms.🎯

🗝️Are leaders genuinely addressing the real challenges and deeper problems your staff may not openly share?🗝️

Servant leadership starts at home.

🔹It may include coaching or training for YOU to improve your communication skills and lead by example.

🔹Internal servant leadership can be sharing your wisdom, screw-ups, and experiences with your team.

🔹It may involve implementing programs that help staff prioritize and reduce burnout.

The productivity piece gets woven in; don't worry :)

Exceptional servant leadership can only happen

when firms have a solid internal foundation.

Once that's in place, go into the community and make a freakin' impact!

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Project Managers Can Conquer Fears of Shortlisted Presentations

You have a fear of speaking up at presentations or meetings? 

Maybe you’re afraid you stink at networking.

Or maybe you’ve been scaring yourself with imposter syndrome because you don’t have all the answers for clients. 

Read the words on the man’s shirt that I saw this morning. 

Facts Over Fear. 

🎯Fact: All humans are born with 2 innate fears. 

1- The fear of falling.
2- The fear of loud noises. 

Somewhere along life’s journey, you’ve convinced yourself you stink at public speaking, networking, and pursuits. 👀

Blah, blah, blah.

I was there years ago, and I’m not anymore. 😂

Today, I know it’s all learned behavior that you can unlearn to be more successful. 

That’s a fact. 

Is it time to stop scaring yourself and staying stuck? 

🙌Facts Over Fear. 

Reach out if you are ready to stop the negative self talk and step into your potential. 

You decide. 💯

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In Hot Pursuit of Curiosity

Communication tip for Architects, Engineers, and Construction Professionals: 

When pursuing new business, pursue curiosity at every turn of the project lifecycle. 🎯

Curiosity helps beat competitors as it: 

🧨Engages people
🧨Develops deep listening
🧨Guides you to ask better questions (gather the proper intel) 
🧨Improves critical thinking skills
🧨and much more.

Curiosity is a business growth strategy and leadership trait that people can learn. 

Successful A/E/C project managers use it to win shortlisted interviews. 💰

Reach out to discover how this powerful communications and marketing tool transforms your competitive advantage. 🔓

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