Sponsorship disclosure: This podcast is not sponsored by any entity.
There is nothing more important than soft skills in a professional setting. You can have great technical knowledge, a lot of experience and a great deal of creativity, but if you can’t deal with people around you, you’re bound to fail.
That’s why I decided to discuss important “people topics” in my very first video podcast with my colleague and friend:
Matthew Joseph, architect
In this video, we tackle diversity in the BIM and AEC industries and discuss the following topics:
- Matthew’s background and career path
- Definition of diversity and inclusion
- Diversity topics
- Cultural awareness
- Religious awareness
- Racism & unconscious bias
- Equity (gender, visible minorities, disability)
- Recommendations
- Current diversity initiatives Matthew is involved in
- Final thoughts by Matthew
Video podcast
You can watch the full video below. Enjoy!
Final thoughts
These were not easy topics to talk about, and it shows in some parts as I’m trying to choose my words carefully. However, they are important topics that must be discussed in firms and improved at an industry level. I am of the opinion that there will always be issues no matter how much work is done, so the best hope we have is to raise awareness and spread good values.
I hope that the BIM and AEC industries advance further in terms of diversity, inclusion, awareness and equity; some of the gaps are visible, others are more subtle. But it is through people like my friend Matthew that we can make a difference in our immediate environment, which eventually reflects on the entire ecosystem.
As Brian Tracy said it best on Twitter on August 16, 2020:
You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.
Brian Tracy, professional speaker, author and success expert
@BrianTracy on Twitter (August 16, 2020).
Thank you for taking the time to watch this video podcast and I’ll see you again soon.
Tarek Ghazzaoui, Eng.
BIM Manager
Shout-outs
Special thanks to the following individuals and entities for their contribution to this article:
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Juju (my cat) | Random check-ins and cuddles |
Works cited
None.
Resources
None.
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