Success isn’t just about working hard—it’s about working smart. In this episode, Deirdre Booth sits down with Rachel Charlton, founder of Sticky Communications, to explore seven lessons she wished she had learned sooner in her AEC career.
They break down the power of taking initiative, how to lead with purpose, and why understanding the why behind your work can shape both your career and workplace relationships. Rachel also shares how young professionals can navigate challenges like balancing expectations, avoiding burnout, and using data-driven insights to gain influence.
Beyond career strategy, they dig into the mindset shifts that can make all the difference—how to advocate for yourself, step out of your comfort zone, and turn rejection into redirection. Whether you’re new to AEC or looking to take your career to the next level, this episode offers real-world advice to help you grow and succeed.
🎯 Rachel Charlton is the founder of Sticky Communications—and a self-proclaimed marketing unicorn with over 12 years of cross-functional experience, mostly in the AEC realm, but she’s never been one to stay in just one lane. Rachel champions strategic sales enablement, helping clients optimize pursuit processes, uncover the heart of their brand story, and craft presentations that genuinely connect with audiences.
🪄 Her superpower? Infusing resonance into facts and data through storytelling techniques that bridge the gap between technical jargon and human connection—perfectly complementing her clients’ strategic marketing and business development goals.
📚 Rachel is a passionate advocate for harnessing the power of story for good, whether she’s elevating a client’s brand or weaving a compelling narrative into a must-win pitch. In her world, creativity and strategy are never at odds—they’re partners in crime, fueling each project with equal parts logic and magic.
✨ When she’s off the clock, Rachel feeds her imagination with crafting, ambitious baking ventures, and reviving and instilling cozy into her 1945 Portland home. During the long, sun-kissed days of summer in the Pacific Northwest, you can find her and her husband sailing, paddle boarding, or taking their Airstream on the road—often in the rowdy company of their three spirited miniature schnauzers: Bentley, Dash, and Magnus.
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