This post follows on from my last one on the 10 Things I learned blog post…
These next lessons are harder to acknowledge because they came to me when I had to do architecture / life without Paul. It’s hard to reconcile the difference between the process of creating architecture, pursuing meaningful experiences in life. It’s tumultuous, rewarding and takes some level of [insanity] bravery to persist.
I can add the following applied lessons to the practice of architecture as learned at The Shed (PP) School.
Photo: Heleana Genaus
Lesson 11: Just keep moving.
Despite the ego, drama, hysteria, chaos or threat of the moment, it is just a moment and to keep moving is to trust in the work. This strategy also works when a project needs to find direction, to remain stagnant is to pause progress.
“We carry on”, Paul would say and lead in this way.
Lesson 12: Control is an illusion.
We have as much control as we do not. This seems like an antithesis to the last lesson, nonetheless they work in tandem. In the example of making architecture; where design becomes building becomes environment, it an ongoing process at the whim of machinations outside our control. One needs to accept that we are only in control of a small part of that process, this doesn’t mean when things don’t go to plan we’re out of control, but rather offers a reminder to remain agile enough to make the most of the moment and know when to seize or let go. A lifetime goes into perfecting this.
Lesson 13: Leading from behind.
What this doesn’t mean is receding into the background (as I often thought) nor manipulating outcomes (as often assumed). Leading from behind is to build on the strengths of everyone we work with, listen and be a least three steps ahead. To do this well is to be a trusted leader, someone who is respected for their compassion, provide a safe environment for people to do their best work and motivated by their integrity.
Lesson 14: Trust your integrity.
One does not have to be a saint to have integrity. Acting consistently on ones moral principles not only streamlines daily decision making, it also acts as a boat that carries you and the truth over tumultuous seas, surpassing neigh sayers, diluting toxicity, all the while keeping you progressing on course.
Lesson 15: Influence.
“Don’t be a clone of me”.
Your influence should be allowed to sprawl. Expect them to go on to be better as a result of working with you, passing on a set of principles, a respectful approach to process and a commitment to be themselves. This approach requires a broader understanding to Lesson 13: Leading from behind. Some build empires of architects aligned with a branded way of delivering architecture or clones of themselves with succession plans, others, as in the case with Paul Pholeros, captured young minds, inspired them to make a positive impact on the world, offered a sense of duty and compelled action, ultimately creating a network of influence lasting generations. This approach arguably has much more influence with a lot less recognition.