Cultivating Resilience as an Architect, Woman and Leader
When I reflect on my career in architecture, one word consistently stands out: resilience.
Cultivating resilience, albeit an ongoing journey, has been essential to my growth and success as a woman in a predominantly male industry. The American Institute of Architects Women’s Leadership Summit has played a pivotal role in this journey, providing a platform for connection, inspiration and empowerment.
A New Venue for Opportunity
Early in my career, attending industry conferences often felt isolating. I could count the number of women present on one hand. Although the numbers have been growing in the right direction, this changed dramatically when I attended my first WLS in 2019. For the first time, I was in a room where I could count the number of men on one hand. This shift in dynamics was not just refreshing; it was empowering. It increased my confidence in my profession and reminded me that I was part of a larger, supportive community of women design professionals.
Gaining Confidence and Giving Back to the Community
Throughout my career, there have been moments of isolation and self-doubt. It’s easy to feel alone in your struggles, especially within the confines of your firm. However, the WLS provided a broader perspective. Connecting with peers, mentors and leaders from different organizations allowed me to see that I was not alone in my challenges.
Presenting at the WLS has been a significant part of my journey. Over the years, I’ve shared insights on leadership, communication and career development. These presentations have allowed me to give back to the community and reinforced my resilience by providing an outlet for inspirational self-reflection. At the 2023 summit in Boston, a woman approached me and shared how my presentation with colleagues Sandy Tkacz and Katie Fricke in 2019 had changed her life. This woman went on to show me a career map she created based on my session and explained how it had guided her actions and decisions. This feedback was incredibly validating and reinforced the importance of sharing our stories and experiences.
Practical Tips for Building Resilience
As we near the upcoming Building Resilience-themed WLS in Chicago, I’m reminded of a Harvard Business Review article titled "When Women Leaders Leave, the Losses Multiply," which highlights the value of women in leadership positions.
The article cites a multiyear study conducted by Potential Project, which found that in addition to having more engaged teams and driving better job performance, 55% of the women in their study were ranked by their employees as being wise and compassionate compared to only 27% of the men. Although essential for effective leadership, these qualities are often undervalued in the design profession. These statistics underscore the importance of cultivating a dynamic mix of soft skills and emotional intelligence, and the WLS provides a platform for women — and men — to hone and develop these skills in action.
Although the upcoming WLS is sure to provide resources for building resilience, I wanted to share a few strategies and ways of thinking that have helped me:
Build a Support Network
Surround yourself with colleagues, mentors and advocates who can provide support and guidance. It’s important to have people you can turn to for different needs.
Advocates: Find advocates who can speak positively about you when you’re not in the room. These people can help advance your career by highlighting your strengths to others.
Mentors: Seek mentors to help you identify perceived weaknesses and make actionable recommendations for improvement. For example, they might suggest joining a public speaking practice group with colleagues so you can practice speaking publicly in a low-pressure atmosphere with like-minded peers. Note: Mentors do not have to be older than you; they are just someone you want to learn something from.
Colleagues: Have colleagues you can confide in when you’re having a bad day. Sometimes, you just need to vent without expecting a solution.
Engage in Professional Development
Attend conferences like the WLS to connect with others and gain new perspectives. These events are invaluable for professional growth and resilience.
Networking: Aim to meet at least two new people each day of the conference. Sit next to someone new and start a conversation. This can help you build a broader network.
Feedback: Discuss sessions with others to gain different perspectives. This helps you remember the content better and see things from different angles.
Share Your Story
Don’t be afraid to share your experiences and challenges. Your story can inspire and help others, and the act of sharing can be empowering for you.
Presenting: Presenting at conferences can be a powerful way to share your journey and insights. It can also provide validation when others tell you how your story has impacted them.
Storytelling: Sharing stories helps break the isolation many feel in their struggles. It reminds us that we are not alone and that our experiences are valid.
Practice Self-Reflection
Reflect on your experiences and learn from them. This can help you see the bigger picture and avoid getting bogged down by day-to-day challenges.
Perspective: Think of your career like the stock market. Don’t get caught up in the daily ups and downs. Instead, look at the overall trend. Are you moving in the right direction?
Course Correction: Self-reflect to identify areas where adjusting your approach can be advantageous. This can help you stay on track and continue growing.
Better Together
Women in architecture must continue to support each other and share our stories to help build the community we need to thrive in our careers. The journey is ongoing, but we are stronger and more resilient together.
