Engineers have the right stuff to be pacesetters in a wide array of venues. Not only do they have the technical skills to make things run, they have the talent to run things. Unfortunately, most never think beyond the impact they can have on the structural engineering field. They concentrate on questions like "how can I be the best structural designer" or "how can I build the most successful engineering firm possible?" Both are admirable objectives, but there are goals more far-reaching to consider—to make engineers more well-rounded while strengthening their profession.

Accomplishing this requires a comprehensive plan that promotes big-picture thinking and outreach so that engineers become sought-after leaders, not only narrowly focused technical experts.

Two giants in our industry offer inspiring "words of wisdom" to consider as we develop our life plans.

William Parsons, founder of Parsons Brinkerhoff and mastermind of the New York City subway system, said, "Engineering is a noble profession. Understand its ideals and maintain its standards of ethics and conduct.

Engineers have a higher mission to perform than that of mere technologists. They occupy a position of trust and great responsibility and must have the courage to have bold vision. They must be innovators."

Fuzlar Khan of Sears Tower fame said, "The technical man must not be lost in his own technology; he [or she] must be able to appreciate life, and life is art, drama, music and, most importantly, people."

If structural engineers are to be effective beyond the design and construction industries, they must concentrate on honing their leadership and communications skills to the fullest. Otherwise, they’ll never be included in the crucial decisions affecting engineering’s future on par with the medical, legal, and architectural professions. Nor will they participate in the direction our country is taking regarding its much-needed infrastructure.

Every structural engineer, of course, needs to develop his or her own plan for pursuing these objectives, and then commit to it. What should your betterment plan include? The items in the following plan, honed from my 45-plus years of practice, can be used as a guide. Because it has six items, I call it the "Six-Pack Plan."

Using this Six-Pack Plan, you don’t have to perform all six items at once. You can complete them at your own pace—one at a time or several together at any time in your career, but preferably sooner than later. Still, don’t go overboard and get so involved with your self-betterment plan that you neglect your family and other activities that enrich your life. And don’t neglect doing what it takes to be the best engineer you can be.

The following six items comprise the Six-Pack Plan:
1) Continue your education well after college. When you take post-graduation courses, don’t only pursue technical subjects. Also take non-engineering classes, e.g., history, literature, political science, et cetera. This will broaden your thinking.
2) Maximize your communication skills (writing, speaking, and presentation style). It’s such a waste when great ideas don’t get accepted mainly because they’re presented poorly. Do whatever you must to excel in this area; take lessons and/or hire a communications coach.
3) Become an expert at something outside of engineering, even if it’s just fly-fishing. Become the best fly-fisherman or woman in your region. It really doesn’t matter what area you become an expert in outside of engineering. What matters is using it as a way to broaden your perspective and get out of the mold of only doing technical things and only thinking engineering thoughts.
4) In addition to engineering societies, be active in community affairs—chambers of commerce; service clubs like the Rotary or Kiwanis; and community groups such as your local school or church board, Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, or even a fine arts council. Push the envelope. Become an organization’s leader, the chairman of the board.
5) Get familiar with the political process. Serve on public boards and commissions that set policy and/or become an advisor to elected officials. Even run for public office if you’re so inclined.
6) Find mentors and/or role models who are impressive leaders and study why they succeed.

I’ve often been asked which of these six is most important. It’s different for everyone, of course, but for me, the last one stands out. Find leaders who inspire you, both in and out of engineering. As a start, engineers like Parsons and Khan would be standouts to emulate.

Remember, if you truly want to reach your highest level within and beyond engineering, develop all your talents. Implement a plan that allows you to become as skilled at running things as at making things run. Doing so will make life much more meaningful for you.

Richard Weingardt, P.E., is CEO and chairman of Richard Weingardt Consultants, Inc., a Denver-based structural engineering firm. He can be reached via e-mail at rweingardt@gostructural.com.