Thought Leadership Episodes

How are construction leaders managing decentralized teams in an industry built for command-and-control? In this episode of Activating Curiosity™ , Ryan Ware explores decentralized work models and how AI is reshaping staffing in AEC with Mandy McGill, founder of Aedifico . From construction leadership culture to labor productivity, discover why decentralization isn't just a trend—it's the future of how AEC firms organize work. Plus: the leadership mindsets that make it work. Traditional staffing,...

Big change doesn’t start with systems—it starts with people willing to think differently. In this bonus episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware explores how real change in the construction industry happens over time—and why it requires both individual ownership and collective action. Using the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) as examples, Ryan breaks down how ideas that once felt “too big” evolved into industry-wide movements. What began...

You can build great projects—and still run an unhealthy business. In this episode of Activating Curiosity™ , Ryan Ware sits down with Jessica Krause , Founder and CEO of New Lyfe Accounting , to explore why financial clarity is one of the most overlooked drivers of construction leadership and decision making. In the AEC industry, many construction leaders treat financials as a "back office" problem. But when you lack visibility into your business's true health, you can't make strategic decisions...

Curiosity isn’t a soft skill—it’s a leadership advantage in times of change. In this bonus episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware explores how construction leaders in the AEC industry can use curiosity to navigate uncertainty, reduce resistance, and lead change more effectively. In an industry shaped by constant disruption—new technologies, shifting delivery models, and evolving workforce expectations—leaders are often trained to seek control. But this episode challenges that instinct, h...