Bob Borson on Twitter

What am I doing? I’m talking to people

On November 2, 2011, in Blog, Career, by Bob Borson

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2011 TSA Balanced Social Media - Architect Bob Borson

It’s 2:00am and I am laying in bed … I must have 10 or 15 things running through my mind all at once. To me, in my sleep deprived semi-conscious state, they are all good things that make perfect sense – solutions to problems, opportunities to try and take advantage of, things to share with others, reminders of tasks to complete. These ideas are all crystal clear. All these thoughts – who knows where they come from because despite the clarity I seem to have laying in bed, almost all of it is lost and fragmented just a few hours later.

The idea of writing things down has been presented on more than one occasion but that just doesn’t work. I would be writing for a long time, and I don’t think my wife would appreciate me turning on the light so that I could see what I’m writing down and sketching up. One of the most often reoccurring topics I think about is what I am going to write about here on this site. Topics are easy but coming up with something interesting that I am able to talk about (the way I like to talk about things) is the challenge. Its the “how” that matters to me the most, not the “what”.

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TSA 2011 Convention Graphic

The 2011 Texas Society of Architects AIA Convention

I didn’t attend the convention this year – not really, the timing was bad. But for the second year in a row, I was a presenter on a panel titled “Purpose of Balanced Social Media” and I found time to walk through the “Design Products and Ideas Expo”. I enjoyed what little time I spent down at the convention, it’s always fun to see people from other parts of the state that you don’t normally get to see. Speaking of which, I went to a “Beer & Tamale” get together at the office of an architect friend of mine, and while the guest list short, it was a veritable who’s who of AIA Fellows and design award winners, generally a group of architects that other architects look at and admire. I was standing around trying to figure out why I was invited (other than to keep an eye on everyone’s bags) when Larry Speck – longtime idol of mine – walked over to say hello.

Larry was acting Dean of the University of Texas School of Architecture and one of my design studio professors when I was in college and to say that I greatly admire him is putting it mildly. In a way, the name of my site was inspired by him (read more here). When I presented at last years Texas Society of Architects Convention in San Antonio, I wasn’t nervous … not until I saw Larry walk into the back of the room. I don’t mind embarrassing myself in front of a bunch of strangers but not to someone I’ve assigned hero status. Luckily, Larry took the time to come up after the program and tell me what a great job he thought I did (sigh of relief) and that meant a lot to me, especially coming from a man who stands in front of 100+ people and lectures several hundred times a year.

At the “Beer & Tamale Extravaganza” party, Larry told me that he was sorry that he missed this years presentation (which was understandable because he was presenting a seminar at the same time) but that he thought that in general, I am on to something. I learned that he was interested in exploring how architects talk to people and that we (as architects) need to cut through the bullshit and communicate differently with the people we are trying to impact. I don’t know if you would agree with me but that sort of communication has always been one of my goals here with my blog – making what I do more transparent and approachable to people who aren’t built like me and definitely don’t think like me. Larry mentioned that he has something that he wants my help on and despite acting somewhat coy and preoccupied (“let me check my calendar…“), I know that I will do just about anything he asks of me  - yes, “help moving a body” included.

I have a lot of things on my plate but I’m the one who keeps loading them on there, re-evaluating my priorities is not an activity that I particularly care for but I can see that it’s coming. Writing this blog has provided me with a lot of opportunities – 99.99% of which don’t involve a paycheck. What I learned from the little time I spent at the convention is how many new people I have met, but I was amazed to learn just how many more now know of me … for better or worse. I have always believed that communication skills are the key to finding success regardless the endeavor, but I didn’t really appreciate just how difficult communicating is for so many people. I know many capable architects who are currently without work and I think its partially because of their inability to talk in a manner that allows them to connect with the listener.

If nothing else, the activity of writing content for this blog three times a week for the last 18 months has helped me work on my communication skills. I may not be great but I am better now than I was when this experiment started. The important part is that I am talking to people.

Do you have a question?

Send me an email: bob@lifeofanarchitect.com

Send me a tweet @bobborson

Call me on the phone (214) 219-4528

The only goal that I have right now on this site is to make what I do as an architect transparent and beneficial to anyone who finds their way here. Be honest. Be sincere. Be helpful.

Cheers

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Bob Borson sign off

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About the author

Bob Borson

Dallas architect who specializes in modern design. I'm AIA, Leed AP, NCARB certified, and previous Dallas AIA Young Architect of the Year (2009).

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  • http://www.coffeewithanarchitect.com Jody Brown

    The “how” is more important than the “what” is so true…
    Actually it’s the “who” that really matters. It’s letting your personality show through that makes it worth listening to. You do that so well.

  • http://www.WellComposedHome.com Kyle Sturtevant

    You are absolutely correct here.  I’m so glad you were able to get these down before the daylight came and fragmented it all away.  I started a blog for the very same reason.  I had some strong beliefs that I was passionate about and yet had a real difficult time conveying them.  As a builder myself, this was holding me back from being able to connect with people in the ways that mattered.  Thx for the post.

  • http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com Bob Borson

    Thanks Jody-

    I know you are on board with this shift since we have talked about it before. I may be wrong (I’m not) but the circumstances for architects will not change unless we make that change happen. I believe most architects already think they are good communicators but something happens between intent and what actually happens.

    What I should have included in the “listen” part (but it was getting late and I wanted to go to bed). Maybe there will be a part 2

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Damian-Trostinetzky/593449836 Damian Trostinetzky

    I’m a horrible writer so, I will still enjoy your posts :)

  • http://twitter.com/MoreAlike Mike Hines

    I thoroughly enjoyed this post, thanks.

    The notion of lying awake in bed at 2:00 AM with (too many) seemingly coherent thoughts coursing through the noggin’ is quite familiar. In fact, last night was just such an evening. There is simply too much to do and communicate and too little time to achieve it all…but still, in my opinion, a noble challenge worth the effort.

    Your blog is one that I visit often and enjoy, particularly because of the way you communicate. As a non-architect I likely perceive the posts differently than most of your following but I do see commonality in the struggle we all share to communicate more effectively.

    Keep up the great effort.

  • http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com Bob Borson

    Thanks Kyle,

    The way that matters is the transparency – that and the fact that people can learn more about you as a service provider before they have to commit to you actually providing the service.

    Cheers

  • Anonymous

    Yet again, I’m amazed at how parallel our blogging and social media paths have been, Bob. To me, writing the Energy Vanguard blog seems really easy, and I’m never at a loss for ideas. And I’m always looking at things through my bloggers glasses now, too. 

    I’ve also come to realize, as you have, that a lot of people aren’t able to communicate so freely. Stephen King said he used to think anyone could write but at some point came around to thinking that it was a gift that you either have or don’t have.Your closing is great advice:

    “Be honest. Be sincere. Be helpful.”

  • http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com Bob Borson

    Thanks Damian - 

    I appreciate the support but you don’t have to be a writer to change the way you communicate. We can’t just keep doing the same things and think its going to get better. I think that change is going to happen through how we communication with people, regardless of the medium.

    Cheers

  • http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com Bob Borson

    I have never considered myself particularly adept at writing but I have abandoned the idea that people expect me to be great at it. There is an immediacy that comes with sharing information in real time (as opposed to print media) and when you share your knowledge in such a transparent manner, I believe that it is received with an additional layer of honesty or integrity (despite the grammatical errors and the occasional technical snafu).

    I suppose I am trying to say that when all the filters get pulled away, its easier for people to get to the root of your intent without thinking that there is a covert agenda in place.

  • http://twitter.com/GinnyPowell GinnyPowell

    Whenever I am dealing with an architect I keep you and your blog in mind Bob.  It helps me think about how to better communicate when discussing my scope of work.  Thank you. 

  • http://twitter.com/adeleyoung Adele Young

    The sincerity of this post is very touching, with spouts of your incredible wit! As I grow my career and my new business, my goal is to be trustworthy, transparent and honest in all communication. Thanks for the reminder that this is indeed a worthy goal.

  • http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com Bob Borson

    Hi Adele,

    Thanks for taking the time to add your voice to the conversation. If we can figure out how to remove the elitism but keep the expertise than I think we will be on our way. 

    Personal integrity and honesty can carry you quite far.

    Cheers

  • Jeremiah

    This post oddly comes on the coat tales of a post over at MetropolisMag entitled “Truth in Numbers”. The gist of the article is that depending on who you talk to Architects design between 2 and 26 percent of all single family homes in the market and this is solely because of the elitist attitude that many have towards architects (unfortunately at the fault of many architects themselves). And that basically boils down to communication.
    Communication is simply what we do. We take the intangible and make it tangible. We take a word, a thought, a scribble and give it form, space and order; material, texture, color – these are the words and actions we communicate with. But more than that we need to be communicable (not to be confused with contagious), in which I mean those outside of our circle need to feel as though we are approachable and can converse on any level. We have to appear as people, not Architects.
    I think you hit a nerve, Bob, when you said that you know many capable architects out of work simply because of their inability to effectively communicate. There really isn’t much more to say than that, is there?
    Though, I can say honestly the success of your blog is the simple fact that you take “architecture” and communicate it simply and effectively in both word and image. This makes your site accessible to the vast majority of people out there who may not have ever thought they MIGHT need our services. Great job. Keep communicating and keep it simple. Cheers.

  • Bob Berard

    A very relevant and well written post, as usual. Thank you, Bob.

    Like you, I often come up with great ideas in the middle of the night, at least I think they were great ideas. At the time I think I need the precious little sleep I should be getting and the ideas are so clear and logical that I’m sure I’ll remember them when I should be waking up a just a couple of hours later. Well, like I said, I think they were great ideas. I have written them down in the middle of the night a few times and about half the time it was well worth it. The other half I wonder what the heck I was thinking, but was still glad to have written them so I wouldn’t be kicking myself for not remembering those ‘great’ ideas.

    I read that Neil Young takes the moment a song idea comes to him very seriously and has been known to abruptly excuse himself from interviews or events when that occurs. He explained that writing songs is his livelihood and he can’t let a precious inspiration escape.

    Regarding more effective communication with the public, I read of a young architect who set up a booth, modeled after Lucy’s advice booth in the Peanuts cartoons, in his local farmer’s market. His sign said something like “Architectural Advice 25 cents” (why isn’t there a cents symbol on keyboards?). The location and setup eliminated that force field around “Architect” and made him very approachable by the public. He reported good success even though it was during the worst part of the recession. I think he patented the idea. This was published on a professional architectural website and there were many negative comments from architects, particularly about already low fees. I think they missed the point. I’m sure the young architect’s initial consultations resulted in a very good number of commissions from people who thought they normally couldn’t approach an architect. Every architect I know offers a free initial consultation anyway; this young man was making infinitely more for that. He undoubtedly had many return “advice” customers, though, but still, I think the money and time he spent compared to conventional marketing was probably much more efficient and effective.

  • shtrum

    The person you’re referring to is John Morefield (technically, he just charged a nickel, http://architecture5cents.com/).  But i also remember when the buzz started about his idea, which i thought was equal parts clever and unique.  Although he had several encouragements, i was also dismayed by the negative comments.  Which is a problem in this field; that the profession sometimes seems more in love with the idea of creativity than the actual pursuit of it.

  • http://twitter.com/Alexandrafunfit Alexandra Williams

    Excellent post. I almost want to meet your professor, but he kind of scares me. I would add one thing to your skills – yes, you are honest, sincere and helpful – without doubt. But you also are funny, humble (yet know your strengths) and all about service to others (including your dog). These set you apart.

  • http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com Bob Borson

    Thanks for such nice words … but I am going to ignore them because taking compliments makes me uncomfortable.

    As far as my ex-professor goes, you haven’t ever met a nicer person. In fact, he was recently named on Design Intelligence list of the 25 Most Admired Educators of 2012.

    http://www.di.net/articles/archive/3740/

    All the words you so generously use to describe me would be very appropriate for describing Larry Speck – an excellent choice for anyone to emulate if they are in the field of architecture.

    Cheers

  • Bob Berard

    Thanks, “shtrum”. Just looked him up and logged on his website. Good dialogue on his site about how architects should engage more in their communities: http://architecture5cents.com/letter/