Atika Jain - Prompt 2

How do you build a practice oriented to people and adaptable to change?

“Running an Architectural practice can be directly compared to a design problem an architect deals with every day. We can follow similar principles.”

The first rule according to my corporate studio head Nathan for running a successful practice was to have a well-defined mission statement. One which you get back to again and again. Refine if required. He has one stuck on his desk and claims to read it every now and then.

One of the main focus for him is to create an environment within the studio which is capable of change and in the same time should be equally capable of failure. Everyone should be prepared to fail and to learn from their failure. He claims that the company realizes that in order for letting people grow in the company it is very important for giving them the freedom of being innovative and taking risk. Of course the risk company will let them take are calculated. This risk is not only for people but for other growth options like technology etc. Bigger idea is that the company is never scared of failing because of one of the employees or a wrong decision regarding any technology usage, they believe this is the way they grow.

The talk further got turned towards the community on which Nathan suggested that it is very important to foster a community of collaboration. Job is not to tell people what to do but to empower them. Looking for opportunities within the community and embracing them. He mentioned that he focuses on pushing people to do something today which they have not done yesterday, believing that what they today is setting the stage for them for tomorrow.

Lastly he concluded by saying all said and done the main thumb rule of having a successful practice is to embrace what you do and do it with your entire heart. Once you start enjoying what you do, you automatically create an environment to be successful.