Why the Hungerford Bridge symbolises the SmartEngineer approach?
It is a classic cliché to use a bridge picture to convey a journey, maybe even a transformation. For SmartEngineer the imagery is focused on something different…. leadership.
If you admire the bridge, day and night, you will be struck by the magnificent white pylons and how they appear to not only support, but also inspire the bridge deck to stay strong, to follow, to rise. They also radiate equally across their sections, showing no bias. These beacons transform the bridge from average to iconic.
Credits – see end.
Now consider the parallels to that of a leader, where they are challenged to perform two difficult tasks. Not only must they point the way (ideally the right way), but also, and this is the element I believe causes most difficulty; they must transform themselves from being ‘me focused’ to ‘them focused’. This means focusing on the performance of your team, helping them stay strong in difficult times but also overachieve. Paul Evans, the AXA CEO, sums up this change and its importance beautifully:
You get promoted because of what you do and how you do it. When you become a leader, you realise that it’s no longer what you do, it’s what you inspire, motivate and coach others to do. You learn that leadership is more about people and communication and less about task. That requires quite a change in how you behave. You are trying to multiply your own abilities by many thousands of people. Paul Evans CEO AXA
So the question for engineers wishing to meet the leadership requirements of the Chartered Professional Review is firstly, are you clear on what you are trying to demonstrate, and more importantly, how do you know whether you are any good at leadership in practise???
For help answering those questions engage with SmartEngineer where tools and insights will be available to support this challenge, helping engineers reach their full leadership potential. For as we all know, professionals have coaches, amateurs don’t.
Credit to the following for this impressive structure: Westminster City Council, architects Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands with engineers WSP Group. Detailed design was carried out by consulting engineers Gifford, now Ramboll UK, main contractor Costain/Norwest Hoist.