Leading in the face of change

As AEC firms navigate toward an uncertain future, the most effective leaders are those who eagerly adapt to change, writes James Cramer, President of the Design Futures Council, in DesignIntelligence.

“Leaders in successful professional practices are optimistic in the face of change,” he writes. “They understand that without objective optimism they are of little value to their firms and certainly without value to their clients — no matter how intellectually smart they may be otherwise.”

Cramer says smart leaders recognize that growing and profitable firms aren’t just lucky.  

“Success in professional practice happens because leaders are willing to ask smart questions, take time to plan and set goals, make some sacrifices, and take risks,” he says.

He believes three attitudes drive leaders who are of most value to their firms:  

1. Leaders understand that they must invest in and invent their own sustainable future and to be an entrepreneur within today’s changing context.  

2. Leaders understand that chaos and change are major forces in professional life today.  

3. Leaders understand that they need to design their professional and personal life to be lean and action oriented. 

Yet Cramer observes that numerous professional practices are continuing to sell the same thing and deliver services the same way. 

“It doesn’t take long for smart clients to recognize when services go stale or become slow or irrelevant compared to other innovative choices in the marketplace.” 

Ultimately, Cramer says the profit-making potential of “new-strategy” professional practices will be undeniable.  

Read more from DesignIntelligence. 

Editor's note: This is a sponsored article. All text and images were provided by the sponsor company.