Many A/E/C firms point to recruiting as their main challenge.

But is that truly the core issue?

Here's the real issue: Retention suffers because expectations are unclear and development is fragmented. That’s what’s draining your talent.

The signals become obvious once you look more closely:

🚩New hires struggle to ramp up.

🚩Mid‑level staff feel stuck.

🚩Managers spend more time correcting than coaching.

My nephew and niece, 26 and 32, both started new jobs recently in completely different fields. 

Each prefers to work independently. Both are very smart. 

Each told me they've asked for help finding project info. 

Each said their boss barked, "Find it yourself." 

More than once.

This isn't leadership or coaching. 

It isn't a culture that welcomes smart people.

This isn't about coddling younger staff; it's about coaching and knowledge transfer.

People leave jobs for clarity—a clear path, clear coaching, clear expectations—not just for higher pay.

People don’t quit hard work.

The best gift of communication you can offer anyone is the gift of your attention.

It's great year-round. 

🔷It costs nothing and requires no shopping.

🔷There’s no need for fancy wrapping.

Paying close attention requires deep listening skills—fully focusing on the speaker, listening not just to the words but also to tone, body language, and emotions.

You can’t genuinely understand someone else’s perspective if you miss a few words or sentences they are expressing to you.

Learn how to pay attention without distractions. This is priceless. 

Focus on others and block out distractions—no phones, pings, or alerts.😮

Don't try "faking someone out" by acting like you're engaged when you're mentally drifting. 

Forget the email that needs to be sent. 

Forget that the car needs gas. 

Forget about stopping at the store.

The truth is that people notice when you're "checked out." Don't kid yourself.

🎯The better way is to be more self-aware. 

Exceptional communicators catch themselves qu...

Operational delays rarely come from a lack of effort.

They come from professionals who were never taught how to communicate clearly under pressure, across roles, and with accountability.

That gap shows up here.

When I’m training top tier communicators in A/E/C, one pattern is consistent:

When communication skills lag, operational risk increases.

Here’s the truth: These gaps often go unnoticed until profit margins and credibility are already impacted.

What are leaders in your firm doing to reduce these risks?

Communication tip for aspiring construction PMs and leaders:

Knowing the project lingo is good.

📈Knowing the PROFIT lingo is when C-suite execs start listening.

Speak their language and watch your career path transform.

Clarity is a beautiful thing.

Especially when tech staff are thinking through RFIs, field reports, and meeting agendas that cost A/E/C firms productivity and profits.

Yes, Artificial Intelligence can simplify complex data.

Still, AI tools only bring value when humans provide clear input and prompts.

➡️When prompts are vague or confusing, the info you get back will miss the mark.

The result?

Misunderstandings, cost overruns, and lost credibility.

Clear thinking = Clear Prompts

➡️Our Top Tier Communicator on-demand and live training programs give teams the tools to strengthen clarity, communication, and AI prompts.⬅️

Each of the 3 programs are under $1,000.

Individuals and firms can access today's tools to bridge communication gaps and deliver successful projects. 

If you're like me, there's not enough time in the day to get things done.

Busy, busy, busy.

Life is a fleeting moment.

The 4 words I just heard from Abraham Hicks have completely transformed how I spend every day.

One phrase can do the same for you. 

Quit rushing and start living.

I share the 4 words in the video above. Take a look. 

Drones and AI are reshaping the A/E/C industry.

But they don’t win pursuits—people do.

What consistently sets your firm apart from others?

Curiosity and storytelling.

These skills build trust, spark connection, and make clients want to work with you.

Technical expertise matters—but only after you’ve won the bid. 🎯

To capture more pursuits, you need to connect first, then talk tech.

I’ve been teaching this at SMPS conferences, industry events, and in private trainings. 

It's a topic that can not be overlooked any longer. 

Skilled business development leaders and marketers use curiosity and storytelling to strengthen proposals, interviews, and client relationships.

Yes, physical safety and mental health must always be top priorities in our industry.

There's a different kind of safety that firms often overlook: Psychological safety.

It's an essential form of communication.

Psychological safety means that staff feel comfortable and safe in expressing their emotions, using their voices, and sharing concerns — without judgment or repercussions.

➡️It directly impacts emotional well-being, talent retention, performance, and job dissatisfaction.

When leaders in my training programs are unsure of this practice, I worry.

Are your emerging leaders and executives using psychological safety practices to support staff?

When even one team member dreads speaking at meetings, presentations, or networking events, your firm is losing money.

Why?

Hidden feelings of inadequacy:

👉Chip away at confidence

👉Drain energy

👉Create a weak link

These things show up in client conversations, project interviews, and daily collaboration.

Most staff won’t openly admit to these fears.

I get it. It's uncomfortable.

Still, the cost of angst is real: lost productivity, stalled growth, and bids that slip away.

Leaders must start the conversation, turning quiet fears into confident voices.
The ROI is measurable.

Reach out if you want help.

A/E/C projects don’t typically lose money because of technical mistakes.

Projects lose money because of miscommunication.

You see it every day:

👉A missed client cue.

👉A poorly led meeting.

👉An unclear email that delays project handovers and brings cost overruns.

Leaders often underestimate the cost of these misunderstandings.

The frustrating part is that most miscommunication in our industry is avoidable. 🎯

The blunders above chip away at trust, delay schedules, and shrink profit margins.

📈In today’s competitive market, communication isn’t a “soft skill.”

It’s a revenue skill.

Is your team helping to protect profits?