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Episode Overview
In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant interviews Brian Wagner, a professional engineer with over 20 years of experience who draws fascinating parallels between baseball and engineering leadership. Brian discusses his new book "Rounding The Bases: Winning Communication and Leadership for Engineers" and shares insights on effective communication across different audiences.
Timestamps
- 00:00 – 01:00: Introduction and pre-roll clip about baseball and engineering
- 01:00 – 02:00: Brian introduces himself and his engineering background
- 02:00 – 05:00: The story behind Brian's baseball jersey and the book concept
- 05:00 – 08:00: Curtis Parch's story and lessons on adapting to your audience
- 08:00 – 10:00: How definitions of success evolve throughout your career
- 10:00 – 15:00: Brian's career journey from high school drafting to professional engineer
- 15:00 – 18:00: Discussion on engineering education vs. practical communication skills
- 18:00 – 21:00: Breaking down different types of people engineers interact with
- 21:00 – 22:00: Book information and how to connect with Brian
Guest Information
Brian Wagner
- Professional Engineer with 20+ years of experience in land development engineering
- Background in public safety and emergency management
- Author of "Rounding The Bases: Winning Communication and Leadership for Engineers"
- Website: brianwagner.co
- Connect with Brian on LinkedIn
Key Points Discussed
- How baseball terminology and engineering jargon create similar communication challenges
- The importance of adapting your communication style to different audiences
- Brian's unconventional career path from hand drafting to professional engineering
- The value of practical experience in developing effective communication skills
- How your definition of success evolves throughout your career
- Three types of people engineers typically interact with and how to communicate with each
Notable Quotes
- "You don't have to be the smartest person in the room, but if you have the ability to communicate and connect the dots, you become the most useful person in the room." – Brian Wagner
- "Technical expertise will get you in the door. It'll get you to that table. It'll bring you to the opportunity. But having strong communication and leadership skills is what sets you apart." – Brian Wagner
- "Engineers are great communicators when they're talking to other engineers… But when you are forced to talk to someone that has a different perspective, that's where the communication challenges come in." – Dr. James Bryant
Key Takeaways
- Be willing to change and make adjustments to your communication style
- Recognize that different stakeholders speak different "languages"
- Avoid using technical jargon and acronyms when communicating with clients
- View communication challenges as opportunities for growth
- Success is defined differently at different stages of your career
Resources Mentioned
- "Rounding The Bases: Winning Communication and Leadership for Engineers" by Brian Wagner
- Available on Amazon
Connect With Us
- Visit www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com for more resources on leadership and communication
- Follow Engineer Your Success on social media
- Subscribe to our podcast for more episodes on engineering leadership
- James Bryant | SleekBio
About Engineer Your Success
Engineer Your Success helps technical professionals develop the leadership and communication skills needed to excel in their careers. We believe you don't have to choose between success and sanity – you can thrive in both your professional and personal life.