ARCHITECTING Podcast - Career + Lifestyle Mentoring for Architects looking to move beyond overwhelm and make a difference through design

Understanding the lived experience of our clients and ourselves is essential to advancing our work as architects. In this interview, I speak with the masterminds behind the book Out in Architecture, a book dedicated to bringing visibility to the voices and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community. We discuss identity beyond practice, the intersection of identity and practice and reclaiming space and identity. This is essential listening for anyone who wants to advocate for a model of practice that is inclusive and responsive.
There is a difference between lived and adjacent experience. Don't assume that you understand someone's needs - ask.
When you fail to ask "who's missing?" you miss the opportunity to have a more intentional practice and do more intentional work.
Being a platform builder and a convener is important. When people come together, they can leverage one another's experiences.
Find or make your community. As you reach out, you allow others to be seen and find or serve as role models and mentors.
Be open to the serendipity of those who are put in your path.
Slow down to go fast. Frustration to get something done is itself a form of bias. When you slow down you can be more present and intentional. You  receive support and ideas from others by relinquishing control.
Connect with Out in Architecture
https://www.instagram.com/outinarchitecture/
www.blurb.com/b/11721565-out-in-architecture
out-in-arch@googlegroups.com
 
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
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Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019

As architects, our work includes clients we have never met- those in the future. My guest Dena Prastos talks about how she built her transdisciplinary firm Indigo River to give architects agency to be more than problem solvers. Listen in to learn why quality of life in how we practice and the spaces we create is our biggest design opportunity.
Embrace multiple points of view by leveraging the language of common experiences.
Convene many voices to embrace constraints as opportunities.
We serve a lot of clients- but need to exercise our agency to uphold not only those who hire us, but other decision makers, stakeholders, the community and future populations.
A supportive firm culture leads to stronger relationships. That trust can be leveraged to innovate and collaborate.
We need to stop glorifying the grit of putting work before quality of life.
Licensure is the start of your career. It's when you are able to assert the agency to advocate for health, safety and welfare issues.
Connect with Dena:
https://www.indigoriver.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/denaprastos/
https://www.instagram.com/denaprastos/
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
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Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019

The biggest edge you can get in your career comes from the people in your network. Especially those you seek out as mentors. Listen in on the conversation I had with the leaders of two mentorship programs to hear how to hook yourself up with the guidance you need to bend the curve on yoru career trajectory.
Network before you need it. Networking is essential to growing your career. It's how people learn about you, your interests and capabilities, so plant those seeds starting now.
You should have several mentors at a time. It doesn't have to be a formal relationship, seek out a regular touchpoint with someone further up the career ladder than you.
Don't underestimate the value that your near peers can provide. Just a 5-10 years ahead in their own career journey, they have recent and relevant insights that career aces may not.
Get involved in professional organizations to build your own leadership skills.
Hear the entire 60 minute interview here: https://mailchi.mp/1405412d1435/mentor
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
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Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019

While I'm big on personal accountability, a fish in polluted water can't thrive. This episode focuses on the systems that form workplace culture and how they may be unintentionally undermining performance and engagement.
Too often, when behavior problems and conflicts are encountered, we focus on the behavior of the individuals involved without seeing that they are reacting to the pressures of the system where they've been placed. Responses to the individual treat the symptoms, not the root cause.
Much like a faucet turned on full blast while the drain is open,  pouring resources into a situation while not fixing the system just wastes the resources.
Behaviors like poor attitudes, bullying or defensiveness come from a system that foments stress and competitiveness.
Take time to understand the sociocultural issues that may also help unlock invisible stressors that impact behavior and create conflict.
Look at your systems of practice and make sure they are aligned with the culture you want to create.
Foster diversity in leadership
Get input on the system from top down and bottom up.
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
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Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019

Delegating is nothing more than the transfer of responsibility. Super helpful since no way are you keeping all the balls in the air without a little help. In this episode, I explore why it's so hard to let go and give you top notch management strategies to position your projects for success, empower your team and free up your valuable time and energy.
Relinquish control. Seems simple, but for real-  do it! Will there be conflicts that arise- yup. Navigating those, not avoiding them at great personal cost is what makes you a good leader.
Assign the right task to the right person with clear parameters. Let them know what resources are available to help them and give them the psychological safety to use those resources.
Give people aligned work that also stretches them so they feel motivated.
Provide a safe space to fail where lessons can be learned and course corrections made. Help others be solution oriented and take accountability for doing things different next time.
Resist the urge to pitch in and do anything that you could delegate.
By delegating, you are modeling what healthy work behavior looks like to your team.
 
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
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Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019

Does it feel like you have zero energy to grow your career? Like it takes everything you have just to keep your head above water? Fret not my friend- this episode is for you. Learn how just 10 percent of effort can next level your situation (and get you out of chaos). Get tips - supported by physics no less - on how to leverage things you already do and redirect it towards your success.
The first law of thermodynamics states that you need 90 percent of your energy to maintain stability but that extra 10 percent can transfer towards the next higher level.
This can look like redirecting 10 percent of your time - just 144 minutes a day to personal growth or professional development.
Be 10 percent more positive and notice how it energizes you and others you work with to be solution oriented and have more fun at work.
If you have even 10 percent more knowledge than someone else, you can reach them and teach them - buh bye imposter syndrome!
Nothing is ever wasted- look at how past experience or seemingly unrelated interests, hobbies or skills can be applied to a current situation.
Leverage your strengths and invest in unlocking your value by pushing yourself to grow 10 percent in those areas.
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
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Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019

Everyone's a critic. But when you're on the receiving end, it can be painful to hear you have room for improvement. This episode is your definitive guide to separating constructive criticism from the destructive kind. Learn how to move past anger guilt and shame triggers to leverage feedback and how to question unfair and confusing accusations.
If criticism is specific, solution oriented and based on your actions in a given situation, it is constructive.
Constructive criticism as useful. If you are triggered by it and become defensive, you lose an opportunity to grow as a person and a professional. Being triggered is not a sign that the criticism is destructive
If criticism feels confusing, unfair or attacks your worth as a person, it is destructive.
Destructive criticism is about making you feel bad and holding you back. It shows up as projection of behavior that the critic exhibits onto you and can sound like accusations. Destructive criticism can be disguised as advice to not pursue and opportunity because it's too difficult or you're not ready.
Always get a second or third opinion to help frame the criticism in proper context.
Remember that negative criticism is never about you. Don't accept unfair comments or discriminatory feedback.
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
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Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019

Considering architecture is a creative profession, we sure do have a white knuckle grip on a traditionally structured model of practice. Women are redefining what it means to be an architect. Stop weighing down your career trajectory with old assumptions about what work looks like.
Beware of two common false choices about practice:
Being a good/wife/mother/daughter/sister etc. OR having a full throttle career
Asserting yourself and making bold career moves OR being nurturing and likable
Women's careers can be restricted in two ways. Societal bias about our motivations or capabilities and self sabotage in the form of guilt related to the false choices.
When women feel like there is no choice but to struggle, they feel unfulfilled and so they leave. Seek out mentors and know that you are an example for others.
Creating a sense of belonging means redefining work in terms of the resources available and structures that accommodate a different practice model.
To amplify your career without taking on added stress, reach out to an expanded network, question the "reasons" why you are blocked, and give yourself agency to ask for the opportunities you want.
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
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Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019

Architecture careers are murky, opaque things. Good thing there are people willing to light our way. Architect and mentorDINO founder Katelyn Rossier shares her story and why she's so passionate about helping others build a career path that's right for them.
When you want to make a difference, it's easy to get sidelined by impostor syndrome. Asking others what they view as your strengths helps build confidence that you are on the right path.
Form your own mentoring Board of Directors. Make sure it includes peers who work outside of your firm, others in the industry and people you admire as leaders. Chang out your "Board" as needed to suit where you are in your career.
You never have to limit your career to being about just one thing. There can be "ands" and commas in your job description.
Architecture is a passion career and you should expect to have seasons where you put a lot of time into your career. However, if you are guided by your purpose, you'll be energized through those moments.
Learn more about mentorDINO: https://www.mentordino.com/
Connect to Katelyn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyn-rossier-aia-ncarb-lssbb/
Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentordino_llc/
Email:admin@mentordino.com
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
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Clubhouse
Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019

Success isn't really about what you have accomplished. So many people who seem to be "winning" at life feel empty inside. If you find yourself paying way too high a price to rack up those wins, listen in to learn how to cultivate a true success feeling today that you can use as a barometer to take future action.
To learn more, go to architectingpodcast.com
Accomplishments will feel empty if you don't feel good. On the flip side of that, if you take actions today that get to the root motivation for your success (empowerment, freedom, joy), you can begin to notice how success really feels and switch from validating to life affirming actions.
Stop being "fine." Think about what you are tolerating that's siphoning off your time and energy.
Re-prioritize your day to make time for the things that matter to you. Say goodbye to things that don't serve.
Build habits around activities that help you feel good about your life purpose.
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
Facebook Group
Instagram
LinkedIn
Clubhouse
Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019