Raising the bar on Leadership in the Engineering, Building and Construction Industry

At AECOM, we believe infrastructure creates an opportunity for everyone. This is reflected in both the organisation’s mission and the expectations we are held accountable to, by our clients and the communities we work with, being a fully integrated firm that subscribes to building a better world by opening doors, creating opportunity and protecting tomorrow.

Success is built on developing emerging leaders at all levels, with AECOM Buildings and Places taking new steps to support myself and colleagues (Sarah Fayad, Consulting + Technology; Giulia Vignaroli, Design + Planning), to participate in Cohort 4 of the SPS Leaders Alliance – a development platform principled on building a strong network of individuals who individually and collectively are ‘raising the bar’ on leadership in the Engineering, Building and Construction Industry. AECOM joined Cohort 4 of the SPS Leaders Alliance alongside colleagues from Infrastructure NSW, Architectus, E3 Advisory, Transport for NSW, Minter Ellison, and the Australian Army.

The Induction Session held on 23 February 2021, highlighted the SPS Leaders Alliance platform as a ‘melting pot’ fueled by thoughtful networking and robust discussions. We engaged topical issues including what it means to be a good leader in the face of micro and macro decisions which influence company culture, procurement policies, team behaviours, and commercial risk. We explored the importance of elevating sustainability, people and the planet in the work we do.

On 29 March 2021, Cohort 4 was invited to attend an exclusive event featuring the inspiring Glenn Keys AO (Founder and Executive Chairman of Aspen Medical). Glenn kept audiences captivated, sharing lessons learnt in growing successful organisations and high-performing teams through his sharing of practical strategies, and real work examples married with engaging jokes in-between. Some key takeaways from these lessons included the importance of framing an organisation’s social purpose, subscribing to transparency and integrity in communications with project sponsors, and being the first to listen and last to speak to bring out the best of your team’s potential.

The SPS Leaders Alliance has already proven to be an incredible development opportunity for all professionals. We are grateful for the support provided to us by the SPS Leaders Alliance and AECOM Buildings and Places' leadership, in giving us a platform to accelerate our professional growth and networks in becoming influential leaders which shape tomorrow’s infrastructure.