Why is being a manager almost as scary as speaking in public? And why are we struggling to do this well? We’ve seen the research – people don’t leave jobs, they leave their manager. But what if managing others was a team effort? What if it worked like a theater production and you are part of an ensemble cast? Join Mary Abbajay, author of “Managing Up: How to Move Up, Win at Work, and Succeed with Any Type of Boss” as she and guest host, Kate Robinette, talk about where to start, the roles we play, and how to make work relationships work.

Deirdre and Frank reflect on 2022 and dream about what is ahead for 2023. They talk about personal and professional growth, lessons learned, and the play of randomness and intention that brings surprising results. It’s a warm, sincere conversation between two good friends that’s as rich and filling as a cup of homemade hot cocoa. Grab a holiday cookie, a fuzzy blanket, and join the fireside chat.

Chelsea Pozar with Studio W Architects and Gabe Letts with Allgeier, Martin, and Associates talk about how they have maintained great hit rates (upwards of 70%) year after year. Learn about their two different cultures and leadership styles from an architecture and engineering perspective. They offer tips and advice for helping your professional services marketing team and firm leadership get smarter, wiser, and more in control of what they pursue and win.

2023 SMPS Pacific Regional Conference keynote, Maisha Christian, is a professional coach in AEC who brings a fresh perspective to charting your own career path by influencing the tide through your vision. Deirdre, Frank, and Maisha talk about leadership, authenticity, core values, and stretching to thrive. They get real about advocating for yourself, finding influencers, taking risks, and trying new things to get where you want to go.

Frank and Deirdre check back in with PSM Show hosts emeriti David Lecours and Josh Miles one year after they passed the baton. They catch up, talk about authenticity, and explore what’s next. Then Frank and Deirdre reminisce about favorite episodes, lasting messages, and lessons learned. Share some PSM Show soul food with friends.

Continuing the series of career path conversations, Frank Lippert talks to TankGirl Marketing’s project manager and chief organizer, Faith Perez. The conversation focuses on organizational and project management skills while offering lots of tips and tricks to get and stay organized and be more productive with your day. Bonus, some great work/life balance advice, too.

Frank talks with Julie Brown, author of “This Shit Works” A no-nonsense guide to networking your way to more friends, more adventures, and more success.

Continuing the series of career path conversations, Frank Lippert talks to TankGirl Marketing’s Creative Director, Nikki Hasbun. With two creatives, the conversation is filled with great ideas, inspiration, and practical advice to feed the creativity within any listener.

Keelin Cox is a creative thinker and problem solver with a focus on thoughtful interactions throughout the A/E/C industry. She is invested in marketing efforts that produce smart strategies and help her teams serve their communities. She is the owner of Adiuvo Marketing and the host of the AEC Marketeer podcast that explores A/E/C marketing and beyond.

This episode continues an episode on Keelin’s podcast, the AEC Marketeer, where she and Frank talked about how job interviews are changing. Check out the AEC Marketeer episode here (Episode 73, aired 9/14/22). In this episode, Frank and Keelin discuss different ways of answering questions prospective employers ask, and how to take it to the next level.
Resources:
• Indeed Article
• You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters by Kate Murphy
• Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

A temp agency assignment at an engineering firm began Kathryn Ness’ 20+ year career in marketing and business development in AEC. Her intentional relocation to St. Croix brought personal insights and challenges, and two back-to-back Cat 5 hurricanes that changed her perspectives forever. Now a consultant and certified professional coach at GO Strategies, Kathryn made the leap from solving problems to supporting others’ problem-solving. Deirdre and Kathryn unpack life’s journeys, lessons, GPS, and limitless possibilities.

Kathryn’s Top 5(ish) things to grow your career:
– Keep investing in yourself
– Be curious, ask questions, assume nothing
– Get a mentor, regardless of your experience level
– Mentor someone – lift others up
– Take the time to be with family and friends
– Step away from a problem, take a breath; the answer will come

Book and podcast resources:
– Shawn Stevenson (Eat Smarter, The Model Health Show)
– Adam Grant (Think Again, Work/Life)
– Patrick Lencioni (The Ideal Team Player, The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team)
– Simon Sinek (Start with Why, The Infinite Game)
– Kim Scott (Radical Candor)
– James Clear (Atomic Habits)
– Brené Brown (Dare to Lead, Unlocking Us)
– Dr. Seuss, for the puns!

Perryn Olson is a disrupter, he does things differently. In his current role, he’s serving multiple companies under one-parent umbrella. He’s finding a way to manage his marketing department as a consultant to these companies. It’s a very different way to approach day-to-day and long-term marketing needs. If your firm has multiple brands or divisions, and many do lately, Perryn has an interesting approach for you and your marketing services.

Resources:
 Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business

Karen Natzel with K Communications is a “business therapist.” She works with CEOs and other leaders to help them communicate and lead more effectively. In this episode, Frank and Karen dive into the concept of “right-sizing” AEC companies. A lot of firms grow because they think that the opposite of growth is decline. That’s not true. In this age of high M&A activity, there is something to be said for sustaining a good, healthy-sized company that meets the demands of loyal clients and the satisfaction of happy employees. Karen shares her insights on healthy organizational growth.
Resources:
• 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace
• Right-sized Growth PDF

Like most of us, Kate Robinette came to AEC through a circuitous route. But hers was an intentional path, made by consciously placing stones to learn her strengths, educate herself, fill holes, and gain advocates. Deirdre and Kate talk about being different, bringing strengths to a conscious level, and dragons in this humorous and deep dive conversation.

Kate’s top 5 tips to grow your career:
• Know your strengths and get use to talking about what you do best and how you bring value.
• Look for things you want to do and find ways to make that happen.
• Ask lots of questions and ask for help.
• Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. (Change happens outside your comfort zone.)
• Do informational interviews.
Resources:
First, Break All the Rules
Now, Discover Your Strengths
Strengths Based Leadership
Adam Grant’s WorkLife Podcast

Gary Williams with Questa Consulting Ltd helps technically minded people become more confident, relaxed, and successful in all things to do with client management and business development as part of his consulting business in the UK. His podcast, Working Winning Ways, provides depth and humor as he explores this strange marketing/selling/BD thing we do. Frank joined Gary’s podcast, Work Winning Ways, in February 2022. Now the conversation continues on the PSM Show. Gary draws parallels between the US/UK journeys for buyers and sellers, talks about the importance of training the right people, and uses the analogy of the Sunday Market to help explain how BD works. Join Deirdre, Frank, and Gary as they discover that we’re more similar than different and that the important things are true everywhere.

Reference files are located here.

Kelly Valentin is the marketing director at Empower Electric, LLC in Nashville, TN, and a newcomer to the AEC industry and SMPS. She attended her first conference for SMPS at the Southeast Regional Conference (SERC) in Orlando in March. New to the industry and SMPS, she found herself in a sea of people who knew each other well and had long histories together, as well as juggling new content and learning opportunities. Deirdre and Kelly talk about navigating the ocean swell, inserting yourself, and bringing back one thing of value.