Steve Ramos is passionate about design and architecture. He is the founder of the BUILDINGS ARE COOL blog, an Architect for LS3P in Charleston, S.C., and working on his first book, Breaking the Box: Explode out of Architecture School to a Successful Career as an Architect.
One of the most important and overlooked traits for an architect is the ability to listen. I believe to be a good architect you must first be a great listener. Listening helps cultivate teamwork, creates stronger design and makes for happy clients.
Listening is good for teamwork — Synergy is created when team members listen to each other and have open dialogue. The most effective way to prove this theory is to consider the alternative. Can teamwork exist without listening?
Listening is good for design — The best design occurs when architects understand all of the constraints. To understand the constraints, an architect must listen to the client, they must listen to the site, they must listen to their colleagues and they must listen to themselves. Only then will the best design emerge.
Listening is good for clients — Most clients have no interest in flashy award-winning designs. The main thing a client looks for in an architect is someone who listens and is responsive. A client wants to make sure that the architect has the client’s best interests and goals as their priority. This can only occur when an architect listens.
Listening is good for business — An architect who listens fosters teamwork, creates high-quality design and keeps their clients happy. These are the ingredients of a successful business.
It may seem silly, but listening is a skill. And like any skill, listening needs practice. Listening is more than just nodding in agreement. Here are five simple steps that you can do now to listen like a boss!
Via iStock; credit: SIphotography
1. Give People Your Undivided Attention
This is step one. Without this, everything else crumbles.
2. Clarification
A good listener asks the right questions. For example: “Steve, you asked me to print out the drawings by 4 p.m. Since our meeting is at 4:30, would it not be safer to print at 3:30? You know Murphy’s law!” Or: “Ms. Client, you said you hated this tile. What in particular did you dislike? The color, the finish, the shape?” Asking for clarification makes for good listening.
3. Take Notes
Diligent note-taking is very important especially for architects. Most architects will work on multiple projects, juggling deadlines, meetings and clients. Our brains only have so much storage capacity; therefore, it behooves you to take good notes. I have gotten in the habit of taking my iPad to all meetings. It is a very handy way to have everything in one place.
4. Summarize
This step will save your butt; however; it often is left out. Before breaking from the meeting or discussion, briefly summarize the key points of the conversation. For example: “Just so I’m clear, we should increase the lobby by 100 square feet, reduce the size of the fitness room by 200 square feet and add one more toilet to each bathroom?” This summary will make sure that everyone is on the same page.
5. Nail the Follow-Up
The follow-up can take many forms. In some situations, meeting minutes will serve as the follow-up with an action item list at the conclusion. The follow-up may also include the actual execution of the work. Have you done what you said you would do? If not, why?
Listening is like networking: It is a small thing that creates huge benefits. It will foster greater teamwork, produce higher-quality design and create happy clients. This is good for business and good for you.
When I reflect on some of the mistakes I have made in my career, one common ingredient was lack of listening and poor communication.
This post first appeared on Buildings Are Cool.