I’m seeing a recurring leadership risk inside A/E/C firms right now.

Strong project managers get promoted; their technical performance is consistent, but something quietly breaks down in high-stakes conversations with clients, principals, or internal teams. 🚩

The risks are higher, and expectations shift from expertise to influence—subtle but critical.

Leaders sense it early.

The hesitation, the over-explaining, and the missed cues are warning signs. 

These moments erode trust and can affect a leader’s credibility—even when intentions are good.😮

The challenge isn’t confidence or personality.

➡️The real issue is conversational judgment. It’s a skill that’s rarely measured until it’s already had an impact on results. 

Typically, it's a negative impact that results in frustration and lost bids.

🔷This month, I’m opening a small number of private Leadership Conversation Audits for firm leaders who want clarity around a specific emerging or newly promoted leader—and what to correct, coach, or recalibr...

I’m seeing a recurring leadership risk inside A/E/C firms right now.

Strong project managers get promoted; their technical performance is consistent, but something quietly breaks down in high-stakes conversations with clients, principals, or internal teams. 🚩

The risks are higher, and expectations shift from expertise to influence—subtle but critical.

Leaders sense it early.

The hesitation, the over-explaining, and the missed cues are warning signs. 

These moments erode trust and can affect a leader’s credibility—even when intentions are good.😮

The challenge isn’t confidence or personality.

➡️The real issue is conversational judgment. It’s a skill that’s rarely measured until it’s already had an impact on results. 

Typically, it's a negative impact that results in frustration and lost bids.

🔷This month, I’m opening a small number of private Leadership Conversation Audits for firm leaders who want clarity around a specific emerging or newly promoted leader—and what to correct, coach, or recalibr...

Client challenges don't typically come from poor intentions or weak talent.

Problems on projects come from inconsistent processes that leave teams guessing in high‑stakes moments.

This is the client experience gap that shows up as miscommunication:

🚩Different PMs delivering wildly different experiences

🚩Missed details that should be automatic

🚩Clients feel like they need to manage the team

🚩Rework caused by unclear handoffs

🚩Leaders stepping in to “save” meetings

Your clients don’t want heroics.

They want consistency.

🎯Consistency comes from communication-based systems. 

The completion of successful A/E/C projects requires strong foundations.

Not just effort.

Executives often feel trapped in meetings because the organization hasn’t built processes that allow decisions to happen without them. 

Meeting fatigue is a real thing for staff at all levels.😮

Common symptoms:

Meetings that exist only to clarify what should already be clear.

Does this sound familiar? 

➡️Leaders are being asked to approve routine decisions.

➡️Teams are waiting for direction instead of moving forward.

➡️Endless status updates instead of real problem‑solving lead to a lack of productivty.

Meetings aren’t the issue.

Missing systems are.

Most industry leaders I speak with aren’t worried about strategy.

Instead, their main concern is execution through people.

✅They know the plan.

✅They know the numbers.

✅They know the market.

Here's the truth about what keeps them up at night:

“Can my leaders actually move the ball forward without me in the room?”

Communication gaps don’t show up as “communication problems.”

Instead, they appear as rework, missed signals, slow decision-making, and shaky client trust.

Addressing these hidden challenges is the real leadership issue in 2026. 

It's not solved by another process or framework.

It’s solved by elevating conversations within the firm.

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?

Successful firms that win more pursuits are supporting their younger staff with management tools that help grow business. 

To compete with larger firms, remember to bring your emerging leaders along! 

Here's the dealio about productivity and meeting tight deadlines on multiple projects.

🏗️Are you working on the right problem?🏗️

I ask myself this question more than once a day.

And often, the answer is a resounding NO!

🎯A 'NO' response allows you and your team to refocus and prioritize tasks more efficiently.

The result is fewer frustrating meetings and miscommunication.

Being attentive to your attention gets you back on track quickly.

Look, everyone is busy.

The real question is: Busy doing what???😎

If you want continuous business improvement, this is it.

A/E/C FACT about lost bids, productivity, trust, and talent: 

Struggles with people skills will only end when industry leaders seriously commit to learning today’s communication strategies.

For themselves and their teams. 

🔷”People didn’t understand it wasn’t working while it wasn’t working.” 

I heard this line on Election Night TV coverage. 

It hit me straight between the eyes as it’s spot-on for the sustainable growth CEOs are pursuing. 

➡️Put egos aside. 

➡️Level up your own leadership and self-awareness. 

➡️Prioritize communication and BD training now —not next quarter or next year. 

“People didn’t understand it wasn’t working while it wasn’t working.” 

Let that land. 😮

Then equip yourselves with the right and repeatable tools for lasting growth and transformation.💪💯

Reach out and let’s do it. 

A/E/C NewsFlash: 

Architects, engineers, and construction pros are in business.

🎓No matter your degree or major, you must know the bigger picture of your role.

You've got to understand the marketing, revenue, and operations of day-to-day business.

➡️How do YOU contribute to goals like sustainable growth, winning pursuits, succession planning, and effective communication?

College degrees and certifications don't give us a "pass" on learning. 😮

It's not a one-and-done. 

Can you say continuous improvement? 😎

Don't be the Radio Shack or Kodak of your firm.

🎆Take initiative, think creatively (unrelated to designs, infrastructure, or building materials), and show up in a bigger, bolder way.

People who strategically connect the dots win trust and lead the industry. 

*️⃣Take the initiative with one of our communication, sales, and mindset development training programs.

Click here for training info or drop me a note.