Sending mixed messages to prospects and clients leads to confusion.

Does your body language match your words?

Here's a 30-second video example of a classic disconnect.

I coach an engineer in our Amplify program who tells the group he's got exciting things underway.

Watch what happens. 

We are celebrating A/E/C pros who know how to use curiosity in communication and sales.

I met Sydney Unnerstall recently. She's an emerging leader and marketing coordinator at Vessel Architecture in St. Louis.

After my communications presentation at an SMPS regional conference, Sydney jumped at the chance to transform business conversations by being curious.

"I have started asking more relevant questions and hiding less since I attended Susan's program at the SMPS conference," she said.

"These go hand-in-hand with feeling more confident as I gain experience in meetings and with clients."

You get quality information when you ask quality questions (and listen deeply).

Sydney adds a couple of more quick gems in this 30-second video.

Take a look above.  

And reach out if your emerging leaders want to be more effective communicators. Our "Amplify for Emerging Leaders" online group coaching program is now available. Details are here!

Here's the secret sauce to nailing new clients.

Great news: You don't have to know everything and you don't need a script!

Take a look at this two-minute video. 

And reach out if you want your emerging leaders in A/E/C to be more effective communicators.

Our next round of Amplify (online group coaching) starts soon!

Stories connect us as human beings.

A/E/C leaders know the value of relationships and connections that build business.

Why do so few of you use the power of storytelling in business development presentations?

Most people are uncertain about what story to share and how to make it relevant to prospects. 

The key is in this 40-second clip (above) from a podcast interview with Evan Troxel, NCARB.

The full video episode is here.

Click here to access the audio file.

You've seen the gazillion end-of-year lists. #ugh

From popular baby names to celebrity divorces, the media covers it all. 

Have you made your Top 10 List of Achievements in 2023?

I've been doing this for 20+ years, and I love it!

Give yourself permission to celebrate and honor your hard work.

Maybe you helped win a huge bid. Are you working with a mentor or coach? Maybe you earned your PE credential or spoke at a presentation (without feeling totally stressed.) 

Too often, we downplay our efforts and results.

Maybe you're like me and forget what happened in March!

So, in late December, I compile my Top 10 list.

I do one for work and one for my personal life. 

My professional list includes:

 ♦Delivering the opening keynote at a global A/E/C conference.

 ♦Rebranding the company website.

 ♦Helping countless A/E/C folks improve their communication with coaching and training.

Personal highlights include:

 ...

Communication Tip: 

Bypass templates. 

You are the message. 

Work on your communication skills. 

Encourage and mentor your team so they are effective at networking events. 

And shortlisted interviews. 

Give staff the tools they need (and want) to feel comfortable, clear, and confident with decisionmakers.

Humans build trust and relationships.

Not templates. 

Not jargon. 

Real people grow business.

Sales presentations mean we have to talk about ourselves.

Most Doers in architecture, engineering, and construction aren't comfortable bragging about themselves.

Here's the deal. It's not about being egotistical.

It's about being relevant.

If you feel like you're boasting, you've got it all wrong.

Project managers, estimators, schedulers, commissioners, and program managers have to feel confident. 

And speak with humility.

Your job title or industry doesn't matter.

A/E/C folks in business development meetings must self-promote to win construction bids. 

To be effective, show prospects why your accomplishments are relevant to them.

That's not bragging.

That's understanding business marketing and branding.

The two most dangerous words when communicating in business and life are:

I know.

You may indeed know what the other person is saying.

Or trying to express.

Still, pay attention to how you say your "I know."

Is your tone one of arrogance or dismissal of someone else's idea?

This is about being self-aware.

And self-awareness is often a struggle in A/E/C.

You may be communicating to others subliminally that you are close-minded and closed-hearted.

A slight shift can help close a bid or form a new connection.

The most important four-letter word in business and life is CARE.

For me, CARE is an acronym.

• Your Communication is based on what you pay Attention to.
• Your Attention (focus) determines your Results.
• Your Results can be Excellent.

How do your prospects, clients, and fellow human beings know you care about them?

Are you focusing on the correct problems your prospects are experiencing? Do you know how to improve your presentations and conversations? 

Notice your communication patterns and habits. It's all about self-awareness.

If you want better results, it's time to CARE in a new way.

Communicating in a silo is like being trapped inside a bank vault.

There are thick walls, and even when you scream your loudest, no one hears you.  

Architects, engineers, and construction leaders know plenty about building design and (thick) walls on job sites. 

With communication, let's demolish the invisible walls in AEC firms.

These silos and the "stay in your lane" mentality derail business development and collaboration.

Project managers, commissioning engineers, schedulers, and estimators innovate on job sites. 

Teams can — and must — understand how their creativity and confidence apply in shortlisted meetings.

Silos stifle creativity, communication, and profitability. 

"You can give people tools and resources, but the most important thing you must do is change their mindset," says Claus Jensen. He's the chief innovation officer at Teladoc Health.

Yep, it's the virtual telehealth company. 

Many leaders in A/E/C are...