How to Navigate Difficult Conversations as an AEC Leader

In this episode, I talk to Madi McIntyre-Holmes, SHRM-CP, HR coordinator at Menard USA, about how AEC leaders in fast-paced industries can navigate difficult conversations, strengthen their teams, and balance policies with empathy for better leadership and team growth. ***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.*** Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Navigate Difficult Conversations as an AEC Leader: Internships provide invaluable opportunities for young professionals to explore different fields, build relationships, and gain experience. HR professionals play a key role in helping managers approach difficult conversations with empathy, turning them into opportunities for employee development and growth. Building strong relationships between managers and team members can help prevent many common workplace issues and improve communication. Leaders who invest time and energy into these relationships will find it easier to address challenges with empathy while promoting a culture of growth and accountability. Balancing company policies with personalized, empathetic communication is key for effective leadership. Leaders should create flexible policies that allow for human-centered approaches while maintaining compliance, ensuring team members feel supported, even when tough decisions need to be made. HR policies are essential, but if they become too rigid, they can hinder genuine engagement with employees. It's important for firms to create flexible policies that allow leaders to adapt to different situations and connect with their people, ensuring a supportive and competitive work environment. Building strong relationships with team members is crucial for effective leadership. When managers invest time and effort into cultivating these connections, it helps address issues more smoothly and can prevent challenges from escalating. Even if companies don't offer formal training programs, there are plenty of external resources available, like books, online videos, and groups like Toastmasters, that can help develop communication and leadership skills. It's important for professionals to take initiative in improving these skills, as they play a crucial role in long-term career success. Great leaders don’t avoid difficult conversations — they lean into them, using these moments as opportunities to strengthen relationships and enhance team growth. By approaching challenging situations with a proactive and positive mindset, leaders can turn obstacles into valuable learning experiences. About Madi McIntyre-Holmes, SHRM-CP Madi McIntyre-Holmes, SHRM-CP, is the human resources coordinator at MENARD USA. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in human resources management and services from Columbia Southern University and has a background in business, management, marketing, and related support services from Duquesne university. Madi specializes in HR coordination, bringing her expertise in human resources to support organizational growth and employee development. Resources and Links Mentioned in This Session Include: Menard USA Kentucky University Great Lakes Behavioral Research Institute Gallup Toastmasters International Connect with Madi McIntyre-Holmes, SHRM-CP, on LinkedIn We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you might share on how you navigate difficult conversations as an AEC leader. Please leave your comments, feedback, or questions in the section below. If you enjoyed this post, please consider downloading our free list of 33 Productivity Routines of Top Engineering Executives. Click the button below to download. Download the Productivity Routines