This Is DesignIntelligence

When leaders are approachable, people are more apt to hear and listen, absorb and act on the leadership. But there's another side to this coin.

Amy Cupples is the Managing Principal at Keller Mitchell & Company. Kona Gray is a Principal at EDSA. Kush Parekh is an Associate Principal at Studio-MLA.  On this edition of This Is DesignIntelligence, they discuss how the changes of the last year have impacted the profession, what it really means to design for health and equity, and how landscape architects are leading that charge.

Leaders make choices that result in life-altering outcomes for both themselves and myriad others. Effective leadership demands we operate far more from front of mind consciousness rather than back of mind automation. Our choices, our decisions matter now and later.

Demeanor is our outward way, the signaling posture we assume consciously or unconsciously. Conscious, unconscious, visual and verbal signals front what others observe about us and from these people naturally draw conclusions, make judgements and determine how they will or won't interact with us.

Both emotional maturity and approachability emanate from a common root: self-acceptance. This value of self-acceptance is inestimable.

Flavia Grey is the leader of the firm-wide data and research development group at ZGF. Upali Nanda is a Principal and Director of Research at HKS. Elizabeth Vandermark is a Principal and Director of Research at SmithGroup. On this edition of This Is DesignIntelligence, you’ll hear their thoughts on the need for a robust knowledge ecosystem across the industry with the infrastructure to support it, and how coalition, not collaboration, could be the key to bringing meaningful insights to a data saturated world.

When leaders wander into the decision-making context without a firm grasp of the details, they set themselves up for failure and are most likely to generate damage far beyond their immediate space.

Roberta Kowalishin is the Chief Information and Technology Officer at Dialog. Nick Cameron is the Director of Digital Practice at Perkins & Will. Holly St. Clair is the Chief Technology Officer at Sasaki. Shane Burger is the Global Leader – Technical Innovation at Woods Bagot. On this edition of This Is DesignIntelligence, they share their thoughts around the complacency of innovation within the industry, the tension between technology and the art of design, and why firms should not see their research as a competitive advantage.

Leadership is difficult on the best of days. When attempting to lead in a context of mistrust, loss of confidence, and organizational antagonism, most leaders fold. And why not? Leaders aren't their best when they're alone.

Lauren Della Bella is the President and Chief Executive Officer of SHP; Kathleen John is the Chief Operating Officer of Meyer Borgman Johnson; Lauri Goodman Lampson is the President and Chief Operating Officer of PDR; Katherine Peele is the Chief Practice Officer of LS3P; and Wendy Rogers is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Talent Officer of LPA. On this edition of This Is DesignIntelligence, you’ll hear about their experiences rising through the ranks in a traditionally male -dominated profession, how their gifts and strengths as women empower leadership, and why creating a culture of inclusion and support is not just good for the individual and the company, but good for the industry as a whole.