TCEP 253: 5 Tips for Becoming a Great Civil Engineering Leader

In this episode, I introduce you to the new co-host for this podcast, K. James Taylor, Jr., P.E., a licensed professional engineer and an associate vice president at Verdantas, and provide some great civil engineering leadership tips that can help you conquer even the most challenging projects.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are 5 Tips for Becoming a Great Civil Engineering Leader:

The first tip is to establish a robust technical foundation in engineering, recognizing that while technical expertise is fundamental, effective communication is equally critical for success in leadership roles and collaboration.

The second tip concerns using mentorship and knowledge sharing in civil engineering leadership. When experienced engineers mentor junior members, it creates a culture of learning and growth, boosting the team's abilities and sparking innovation. It is especially important given the ongoing need for more engineers in infrastructure projects and various industries.

The third tip concerns being open to new ideas and trying new things in engineering leadership. Whether adapting to modern technologies like moving from blueprints to computer-aided drafting or taking calculated risks, success comes from figuring out what works best for the leader and the company. This approach helps create an environment that supports growth and innovation.

The fourth tip advocates for diversity and inclusion in engineering teams. Successful leaders value diverse perspectives, recognizing that they drive innovation and contribute to the effectiveness of high-performing teams. Embracing different backgrounds enhances problem-solving and creativity, acknowledging that varied viewpoints lead to more effective approaches in engineering.

The final tip is the importance of mastering delegation for successful engineering leadership. Effective delegation significantly influences workload, team efficiency, and client satisfaction by addressing challenges tied to being a people pleaser. Rejecting the idea of handling everything alone, the focus is on proper delegation—training others for success. Navigating various delegation levels is crucial, and understanding when to handle tasks personally versus delegating is key in this dynamic field.

More Details in This Episode…

About K. James Taylor, Jr., P.E.

K. James Taylor, Jr., P.E., is a licensed professional engineer and an associate vice president at Verdantas, an emerging environmental, engineering, and technical consulting company with a green, sustainable, and people-first approach in the foreground. James has over 17 years of experience in civil engineering in the land development and municipal fields. Land development services include the design of subdivisions and site plans for compliance with local codes and ordinances, civil/site engineering, stormwater management, road design, and utility design. James has served as a project manager since 2018. In 2021, James was recognized with the Outstanding Project Manager Award at Duffield Associates (now Verdantas) for outstanding performance as a project manager and his consistent display of leadership traits valued by the company, including scheduling, management, proactive communication, collaboration, responsiveness, and client-focused service.

James was selected as the 2021 Young Engineer of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Delaware Section. James serves as the President of the Delaware Engineering Society and served as the New Professionals Director on the NSPE Board of Directors from 2021-2023.

Books Mentioned in This Episode:

What Got You Here Won't Get You There

Sources/References:

Verdantas

Connect with K. James Taylor, Jr., P.E., on LinkedIn