Engineers mitigate structural risk and executives must mitigate communication risk. 

As we observe National Engineers Week, we recognize the engineers who keep our buildings safe and our infrastructure sustainable. 

👉Engineers are disciplined to model risk, calculate load paths, and solve complex problems with precision. 

In the executive sessions I facilitate, there's a common thread: 

Many A/E/C firms don't approach communication with the same discipline.

🚩Proposals are rushed
🚩Scopes are unclear
🚩Client expectations are undocumented 

Internal messages get diluted as they make their way through departments and staff. 

The result: margin erosion, rework, staff frustration, and lost opportunities.

➡️Here’s the bottom line: 

You wouldn’t approve of a structural system without calculations. Why rely on subpar communication systems built on assumptions and outdated legacy habits? 

"This is the way we’ve always done it" is a dangerous legacy mindset. 

Let’s look at this through a fresh lens: 

Engineers ...

There is a difference between following the “stay on message” rule and answering a specific and clear question posed by a prospect or client. 

🎯Know the difference and how to navigate these situations. 

They are significant factors; not just communication nuances. 

Your responses can influence, persuade, and build trust in A/E/C meetings. 

Or destroy your credibility and revenue. 😮

We see it all the time in political debates. 

Don’t allow your communication strategies to backfire. 

👉Sticking to talking points to stay on message shows you're not paying attention. 

👉It shows you're not listening and thinking on your feet. 

👉It shows a lack of creativity and critical thinking skills. 

👉It shows an agenda that others probably don't want to hear in that given moment. 

Others appreciate when we connect and communicate like human beings, not scripts, templates, or talking points. 

Welcome to the Future.

That's the theme of National Engineer's Week. It's a 73-year-old observance that's especially relevant to you today.

The National Society of Professional Engineers' goal is for a diverse, well-educated future workforce.

Why does this feel like a lofty milestone for a highly proficient and technical workforce?

👉Because at the core of the mission is your weakness.👈

Interpersonal communication.

Becoming an effective communicator demands more than an ongoing commitment to learn. 

It's about your willingness to evolve.

With this year's futuristic theme, engineering firms must get back to basics. 

Engineering programs need to teach the importance of how human connections ignite successful careers. 

🛠️Developing confidence, public speaking, and business networking skills are not one-off classes. 

They are different from credentialing programs.

Interpersonal communication in engineering doesn't involve pushing papers or file management.

It's how leaders lear...