You have been through many ups and downs in our industry, including global financial recessions and the Covid pandemic. As engineers, how can we best survive difficult times?
We learn through experience that we can’t change the world, or the market, our competitors or our clients. During my career I have enjoyed working with my colleagues, learning new technologies, working together to create the best, most efficient designs. But eventually, no matter how good you are, one day someone will be better than you, someone more adept, for example, at working with Artificial Intelligence and all the new technologies that will arrive to change the way we work. In these recent years I have found myself spending more and more time helping people overcome adversity. Even when times are hard, we must work together to confront the challenges, making the changes that are needed and supporting our colleagues. We must stay positive, open-minded and have the courage to push through the difficulties and learn from the experience. Don’t be afraid of adversity. See it through, and after the storm you will see the benefits.
Finally, your hopes for the future?
The greatest fun is that we don’t know what the future will bring. I have been so fortunate throughout my career, and my greatest wish now is to support, advise and encourage the people I work with.
So, as we look forward to the future, I urge my colleagues to be grateful for their talent and the opportunities that come along. Never stop learning and always focus on delivering on every project, whether large or small, to the very best of your own ability. And never, never allow yourself to be overtaken by your own ego.