Architects Failing As Leaders

Growing intrusion of non–architects into our world is a failure of architects as leaders.  

Design-Build, Program/Project Management, Construction Management.  Dominated by contractors and trained managers, this trend is putting architects in the back seat.  Clients hire architects as leaders of the process. But they seem to have lost confidence in our profession to manage the construction process when time and schedule equals big dollars.   

In the days of “Master Builders” life was simpler -- fewer regulations, less complex buildings.  Today it’s a more complex world.  We have larger projects and greater complexity.  Clients are more sophisticated and their knowledge and expectations greater.  The size and bureaucracy of public agencies has grown.  In few circumstances is a corporate or public “client” a single person.  Required approvals by five or more executives are common.  Building systems are more complex. Larger projects require a multitude of disciplines and during construction many trades.  This need has lead to greater specialization and greater demands on leaders. 

Architectural schools are not training leaders.  The focus is design.  Students learn to be competitive and to work as individuals.  Students find team projects challenging.  They fail to learn the value of collaboration.   Students don’t like the “pro practice” class and they aren’t learning the essential tools of management.  Do students know what “management” is?  Are they repulsed by the ghosts of business diminishing their design time and focus?   

Architects need to be leaders. If schools are failing, then our practices need to pick up the slack.  We need greater emphasis on training staff to lead the design-construction team.  Emerging professionals need to seek uncomfortable situations, understanding discomfort may mean an opportunity to grow.  Learn to speak up, with foresight and knowledge.  That means you do your homework before diving in.  In the office, expect your boss to give you leadership opportunities.  When given the chance, perform.  No opportunities?  Then find another job.   

Next month we’ll explore what you can do to become an effective leader, and the exciting prospects of Integrated Project Management (IPD), our chance to be a partner with owner and builder. 

LANCE BIRD, FAIA