3 Invaluable Lessons from Stuart Seiden

1. When selecting project teams, it is crucial to see how the team works together to solve problems.
2. During the selection process, it is important to see how project teams communicate within their team and within their own companies.
3. The need for specification writers is a growing trend in the construction industry.

This
week, host Sue Dyer speaks with Stuart Seiden,
who is a Principal at Avila & Seiden Architects.  For about 17 years he was Capital Projects
Manager in the County of Fresno.  Stuart
has a vast knowledge from a variety of projects and you won’t want to miss his
insight on the process of building a collaborative team.

Stuart’s Background and Career Journey  (01:28 )

Stuart’s
journey involved numerous events involving collaboration beginning when Stuart
was four-years-old.  His brother was born
developmentally disabled and that inspired his collaborative nature of helping
in the learning process with his brother.  In college, he was intrigued by all the
disciplines within the construction industry. 
He and his wife had diverse backgrounds and had to learn to meld those
aspects.  He has worked in a number of
different industries over the years, each having informed his skill-set and
knowledge for a variety of projects.

An Overview of Stuart’s Collaborative Selection Approach  (09:35 )

1. They changed the format of the interviews (no electronic presentations).
2. The day-to-day Project Lead gives the presentation.
3. They banned the marketing team from participating in the presentation except as observers.
4. They held three problem-solving sessions, that lasted about 20 minutes each, led by day-to-day lead.
5. The evaluated how the presenters interacted by observation.

How Was the
Collaborative Process Different from the Typical Process?  (14:04 )

A typical process is a regurgitation of what
was provided in their proposal (project pictures, qualifications, how they are
nice people), but didn’t show who had the ability to use their creative
knowledge for the particular project.

The Evaluation Criteria  (15:15 )

1. Weighted the team on scenarios.
2. Asking further questions.
3. Fifteen-minute wrap-up.

Results of the Evaluation Process  (16:44 )

1. Easier to determine the knowledge base of the teams.
2. Able to see their level of communication.
3. Communication with their sub-contractors.
4. Could see creative problem-solving skills.
5. They picked a higher performing team.

Advice to Owners for Using the Scenario Approach (19:18 )

1. Problem-Solving needs to be difficult enough to obtain meaningful dialogue, but simple enough for the time-frame.
2. Make sure you have proper objectives for the results you want.

Trends in Construction Specifications (21:30 )

1. Need for more involvement of architects from the beginning of projects.
2. A trend toward more technically complex structures and materials.
3. Greater need for specification writers.

Advice for Engaging Specification Writers (23:31 )

“Rely on them and get them involved early
on in the project, so they can provide advice in a timely manner.”  They need to be a continuing member of the
team.

Stuart’s Greatest Career Challenge and Learning Opportunity (24:45 )

The
worst moment was on a project moving a 911 system.  There was a major problem with payments to the
sub-contractors.  Stuart learned that a
partner on the project was diverting funds from the project for personal use.

The Very Best Advice Stuart Has Ever Received (29:22 )

You
really shouldn’t put your nose in someone’s business unless you know all sides
of the story.

Resources for
Listeners

• The Project Delivery Practice Guide (affiliate link)
• Recommended Website: The Leadership Freak Blog Website and The Leadership Freak on Facebook

Contact Stuart

Contact Stuart on LinkedIn

Stuart’s Parting Advice (33:18 )

From
the Leadership Freak Website:

• Don’t
  wait to feel humble to practice humility.  
• Seek
  the best in others. 
• Avoid
  presenting a false or inflated appearance.  
• Work
  to understand and promote the goals of others. 
  
• Explore
  how personal strengths, experience, and values might be useful to others.  
• Risk
  being more authentic.

Construction Nation!
Dream Teams don’t just happen they are built one step at a time. Why not send
out this episode to your team, so they can help you.  Remember…Construction Dream Team drops every
Monday morning at 4 am PST. Please join us next week when Sue will interview
another industry leader or expert so you can learn how to create your
Construction Dream Team!

Please head on over to
ConstructionDreamTeam.com to sign up for our newsletter and don’t forget to subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify!

The post Episode S1-47: The Collaborative Selection Process w/ Stuart Seiden appeared first on Construction Dream Team.