Advertise on podcast: BUILD SMART with Patrick MacLeamy, FAIA

This is it!...the culmination of season one of Build Smart, where Patrick has shared his story and the lessons he has learned over his 50-year career with HOK, from junior designer to CEO! Overcoming financial struggles, HOK has climbed each level of Patrick’s pyramid strategy – strong board of directors, great operations, and true collaboration – now reaching the peak, and the right to dream. In this episode, Patrick highlights some of the dreams that HOK pursued, including sustainability, product design, and the return of HOK's sports architecture. Lastly, Patrick identifies his successor and steps aside for the next generation of HOK leaders to the helm. Patrick shares his lessons for listeners to take away from this episode: Firms can reinvent themselves with determined leadership, Firms earn the right to dream TOGETHER, Sustainable design is an example of a dream made real, Step down from leadership when your successor is established. To read along and see illustrations and personal photos that accompany this series, get Patrick’s book, Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm. You can buy the book at https://my.captivate.fm/gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/ (gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/) and find out more information at https://macleamy.com/ (macleamy.com) Thank you to our sponsor Twinmotion! Twinmotion is a real-time rendering solution used by architecture, engineering, and construction professionals to create high-quality imagery, client presentations, and interactive experiences that help communicate your BIM data and design ideas, fast. Visit twinmotion.link/buildsmart and try Twinmotion for free.

Under Patrick’s leadership, HOK is the process of turning around the business of the firm. In today’s episode, HOK is now in a position to buy back their freedom. Patrick details the steps he took to finally address each of the three crises that threatened the firms existence. Carl Galioto, President of HOK, managing principal of the New York and Philadelphia studios, explains the concept of "shortening your lines" to improve the function of the firm. Susan Williams, managing principal of HOK’s Washington, D.C. shares her perspective of Patrick's contributions and how she has continued and built upon his work. Patrick shares his lessons for listeners to take away from this episode: Cash is King, As a strategic resource, and as freedom Negotiating tips, Negotiate the big picture first, then work out the details, Conduct sensitive negotiations on neutral turf Find and groom new leaders from inside your firm. To read along and see illustrations and personal photos that accompany this series, get Patrick’s book, Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm. You can buy the book at https://my.captivate.fm/gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/ (gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/) and find out more information at https://macleamy.com/ (macleamy.com)

After revitalizing upper management and improving operations, Patrick set his sights on reclaiming the company culture that HOK once had. In this episode, he discusses improving communication, company stock as a unifier, leadership groups, team building experiences, and leadership bonus programs. Riccardo Mascia, Managing Principal in HOK’s Chicago studio, shares his perspective of coordinating a seminal company retreat that helped leadership refocus on the soul of HOK. Patrick shares his lessons for listeners to take away from this episode: Company culture is established by the leaders, Company culture must be reinforced every day, If culture is lost it can be reestablished with hard work over time. To read along and see illustrations and personal photos that accompany this series, get Patrick’s book, Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm. You can buy the book at https://my.captivate.fm/gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/ (gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/) and find out more information at https://macleamy.com/ (macleamy.com)

In the midst of executing his strategy for recovery, Patrick is summoned away to answer a critical question about the profession, which leads him to a great discovery about how to improve it. In this episode, Patrick explains the origin of and philosophy behind “the Effort Curve,” later known as “the MacLeamy Curve,” which grew to have a significant impact on HOK and the profession at large. Patrick shares his lessons for listeners to take away from this episode: Shift efforts earlier in time to solve problems early, Coordinate early with engineers for best results later, Coordinate early with the contractor for best results later, Measure twice, cut once. To read along and see illustrations and personal photos that accompany this series, get Patrick’s book, Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm. You can buy the book at https://my.captivate.fm/gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/ (gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/) and find out more information at https://macleamy.com/ (macleamy.com)

We are now on the heels of what was probably the pinnacle of danger for HOK as a business. Patrick was able to buy some time to develop a strategy to solve the problem, but quickly found himself thrusted further into the storm… now into the role of CEO! In today’s episode, Patrick, with the full responsibility of leading the firm out of a Triple crisis, has to turn his strategy into reality. Step one was to rejuvenate upper management. Riccardo Mascia AIA, OAA, LEED AP BD+C, Managing Principal of HOK’s Chicago studio, details his story of joining HOK and his role as, "the fixer" for Patrick. Carl Galioto FAIA, President of HOK, shares how he was recruited to join HOK as the technical leader of the firm, and discusses his perspective on the technical aspect of the architecture profession. Patrick shares his lessons for listeners to take away from this episode: Share financial reports openly with your board; ask for their help Use positive peer pressure to motivate firm leadership Don't just talk about problems. Agree on solutions. Then assign to a leader to solve by a deadline Replace key leaders if they do not fit your strategy or culture When recruiting leaders ask yourself: Can they do the job? Do they have integrity? Will they work well as part of a team? To read along and see illustrations and personal photos that accompany this series, get Patrick’s book, Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm. You can buy the book at https://my.captivate.fm/gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/ (gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/) and find out more information at https://macleamy.com/ (macleamy.com)

After taking on a firmwide role, Patrick begins to shoulder more and more of the leadership load. In this episode, earlier seeds of trouble have blossomed into a full crisis, in fact, triple crises for HOK… Bill Valentine, former President of HOK, and Bob Pratzel, former CFO of HOK, share their perspectives on this period of crisis. Patrick shares his lessons for listeners to take away from this episode: Approach to manage crises: Ask for more time to solve the problem Solve one crisis at a time Conveying a strategic plan to your firm: Don't count on formal strategic plans - no one reads them Use simple graphics like a pyramid Use few words so people will remember your strategy Convey successive goals toward a BIG prize like dreams To read along and see illustrations and personal photos that accompany this series, get Patrick’s book, Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm. You can buy the book at https://my.captivate.fm/gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/ (gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/) and find out more information at https://macleamy.com/ (macleamy.com)

In this episode, we pick up with Patrick’s story as he is promoted to a firmwide role, he shares his simple financial metrics, and discusses the adoption of new technologies. Bob Pratzel, former CFO of HOK, also provides additional insight into the implementation of Patrick's simple financial metrics and rules. Patrick shares his lessons for listeners to take away from this episode: Technology is here to stay. Adopt it. Innovate with it. Invest in emerging leaders Build simple financial metrics to measure your progress Never neglect good operations To read along and see illustrations and personal photos that accompany this series, get Patrick’s book, Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm. You can buy the book at https://my.captivate.fm/gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/ (gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/) and find out more information at https://macleamy.com/ (macleamy.com)

With a big pot of money from their investor, HOK goes on a shopping spree. In this episode, Patrick MacLeamy, FAIA highlights examples of HOK’s expansion, he expands on his thoughts and examples of growth strategies for a firm, and shares how things began to unravel for the firm. Patrick shares his lessons for listeners to take away from this episode: Grow to serve clients, but…NEVER neglect quality Nurture your company culture or you will lose it! To read along and see illustrations and personal photos that accompany this series, get Patrick’s book, Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm. You can buy the book at https://my.captivate.fm/gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/ (gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/) and find out more information at https://macleamy.com/ (macleamy.com)

In this episode, Patrick MacLeamy, FAIA discusses the introduction of investors into HOK, and he touches on the right and wrong ways to grow your firm. Patrick is also joined by Bob Pratzel, former CFO of HOK, who shares some of his financial concepts and his perspective as the CFO of the firm during this period of rapid growth and transition. Bill Valentine, former CEO of HOK, returns to provide insight into HOK steeping forward as a leader in sustainability. Patrick tells the story of one last important hire that Gyo made just before he retired. Patrick shares his lessons for listeners to take away from this episode: There are three ways to raise capital There are Right and wrong ways to grow Shift leaders to consulting roles if they're not ready to retire To read along and see illustrations and personal photos that accompany this series, get Patrick’s book, Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm. You can buy the book at https://my.captivate.fm/gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/ (gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/) and find out more information at https://macleamy.com/ (macleamy.com)

In this episode, Patrick MacLeamy, FAIA highlights a period of rapid growth and transition at HOK. He discusses the challenges, growing pains, and decisions that planted seeds of trouble. Patrick also explains how the founders prepared for succession, the unexpected loss of a founder, evolution of HOK office structure, and the international expansion of the firm. Patrick shares his lessons for listeners to take away from this episode: Plan ahead for leadership succession Diverse work leads to project specialists It is possible to buy a specialty practice Great design leads to new opportunities To read along and see illustrations and personal photos that accompany this series, get Patrick’s book, Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm. You can buy the book at https://my.captivate.fm/gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/ (gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/) and find out more information at https://macleamy.com/ (macleamy.com)

In this episode, firm leaders and young people in the profession will particularly want to listen in as Patrick MacLeamy, FAIA shares stories of the early career experiences that led to his growth and shaped him as a leader at HOK. Bill Valentine, FAIA and former CEO of HOK, joins Patrick to chat about their time together in the firm and Bill shares his perspective on Patrick's career advancements. Patrick also speaks to a past client, John Igoe, Director of Design and Construction, NorCal at Google. John was previously the assistant to the San Francisco Chief Administrative Officer and helped oversee the development of the original Mascone Center, in San Francisco, a project by HOK that was pivotal in Patrick's growth. Patrick shares his lessons for listeners to take away from this episode: Design a firm where employees can grow Lead, don't manage Run towards trouble To read along and see illustrations and personal photos that accompany this series, get Patrick’s book, Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm. You can buy the book at https://my.captivate.fm/gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/ (gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/) and find out more information at https://macleamy.com/ (macleamy.com)

In this episode, Patrick MacLeamy, FAIA tells the story of the founding of HOK and highlights founders, Gyo Obata and George Kassabaum. Kiku Obata, daughter of Gyo Obata, and President of Kiku Obata and Company, joins Patrick to share stories of her family and additional insight into her father. Patrick shares his lessons for listeners to take away from this episode: Build a strong internal, cooperative culture Make a commitment to innovation Have a strong commitment to growth, even if it takes decades To read along and see illustrations and personal photos that accompany this series, get Patrick’s book, Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm. You can buy the book at gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/ and find out more information at https://macleamy.com/ (macleamy.com)