Defining the future by mastering the art of change

Accelerate Live!—BD+C’s inaugural event— recently called upon industry leaders to share how they define the future as they see it. In under fifteen minutes, each presented an impressive viewpoint on the ways in which our industry is poised to evolve through innovation.

When I was asked to present on behalf of Bluebeam, I immediately began thinking through all the countless conversations I’ve had with project innovators, tech entrepreneurs and customers. A theme emerged which had little to do with technology and instead had everything to do with a common characteristic: resiliency.

Over the last four years of writing and speaking at events around the world, I’ve encountered numerous individuals who are changing the way we design and build. People like Kyle Hughes, co-founder of the Construction Progress Coalition, who has redefined the standard for smarter PDFs. And Damon Hernandez, co-founder of the AEC Hackathon, who believes that we should make it okay for innovators to fail safely because “failure with persistence is iteration.” These individuals, and countless others, are not only willing to break the rules, but they persist in rewriting them.

From my perspective, what separates organizations thriving in the digital revolution from those who are not boils down to one thing: leadership. If those that lead the organization are intent on supporting and fostering innovation, they inevitably seek talent at all levels who are asking the right questions, and empower them to “fail safely.”

The formula of failing, learning and adapting becomes the foundation for success for any organization. And success becomes progress for the rest of the industry.

So engage the rule breakers amongst us in meaningful ways. Fostering this engagement will redefine our future, one innovation at a time.

View my Accelerate Live! talk here.