Building Connections Based on Strengths
In my role as a civil coordinator at HDR, I’ve learned that successful project delivery is not only about completing technical tasks, but also about the relationships and attitudes that support the work behind the scenes. Over time, I’ve made this role my own by leading with positivity, staying highly organized and intentionally building strong, trust-based relationships with the people I work with. These qualities directly shape how I support project teams, manage coordination and contribute to our people-focused culture.
Leveraging My Strengths
When I completed my Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment, four of my top five strengths fell under the relationship building domain. My top strengths — Positivity, Harmony, Empathy, Communication and Developer — align closely with how I naturally interact with others and how I approach teamwork, collaboration and coordination.
Positivity is one of the most visible ways I contribute to the team. During busy schedules, shifting deadlines or unexpected challenges, I focus on progress and next steps rather than obstacles. For me, positivity means being dependable when things feel overwhelming and being a teammate others can rely on to stay calm and constructive. I’ve learned that clear and consistent communication plays a major role in this. By keeping people in the loop, potential confusion, rework and misalignment can often be avoided. This approach supports HDR’s emphasis on teamwork, respect and collaboration. This consistently leads to clearer expectations and smoother project coordination.
Bringing Attention to Detail
Alongside positivity, organization is one of my strongest tools. My civil coordinator role involves managing multiple moving parts at once, and I take pride in maintaining structure and attention to detail. Whether it’s coordinating design details, organizing documentation, tracking tasks or providing clear and timely communication, staying organized allows me to support project teams efficiently. It also helps build trust, as others know they can rely on me to manage information accurately and proactively anticipate needs.
Relationship building sits at the center of how I work. I genuinely care about the people I work with — a trait that extends to all parts of my life. (I even talk to the 30 indoor plants in my room just to make sure they don’t die!) While it takes time to get to know colleagues, I am intentional about understanding their work and communication styles. I value listening to better understand perspectives, concerns and expectations, which helps me support project progress more effectively.
Building a Team through Growth
I also find fulfillment in encouraging others and recognizing growth. As the chair of our Young Professionals Employee Network Group in our Cheyenne, Wyoming, office, I organize relationship-building and team activities that help strengthen connections across the office. Choosing HDR as my first formal job in the U.S. was a decision I am proud of. Our success comes from its people, and I’m motivated by contributing to a culture where individuals feel supported, valued and empowered to do their best work.
By combining positivity, strong organization and intentional, relationship-focused collaboration, I’ve shaped my civil coordinator role into one that supports not just project delivery, but the people and values that make our team exceptional.
