Leading a Learning Organization: Insights from Angela Watson
President and CEO Angela Watson, FAIA, LEED AP, is featured on Knowledge Architecture’s Smarter by Design podcast, sharing lessons from the firm’s ongoing journey to become a learning organization.
In order to teach, you have to have empathy. You have to be able to think about what position somebody else is in, what their viewpoint is, and what they need in order to take the next step. Which also fundamentally is a major building block of leadership in general. It’s not about what you need anymore, it’s what others need.
President and CEO Angela Watson, FAIA, LEED AP
From Knowledge Silos to Shared Learning
The discussion highlights a common challenge across AEC firms: knowledge often remains siloed within teams, limiting its broader impact. As Shepley Bulfinch expanded into a national practice, this issue became more pronounced, making the transition to a more structured learning organization an operational necessity.
Angela reflects on the complexity of this shift, noting that traditional approaches, such as informal mentorship or apprenticeship, are becoming harder to sustain as workloads increase and project timelines lengthen.
Rethinking How Firms Learn
A key focus of the conversation is Shepley Bulfinch’s exploration of new learning models, including the development of Birdfeeder, a peer-to-peer firm-wide digital learning platform.
While the platform revealed both opportunities and challenges, it underscored a larger lesson: building a learning organization is not just about creating resources, it’s about connecting knowledge to individual growth and day-to-day practice.
The Role of Culture
At the center of the conversation is the importance of psychological safety. Watson describes initiatives like “Back to the Future,” a framework for reflecting on lessons learned that encourages teams to openly share what didn’t work without fear of judgment.
This cultural foundation, she notes, is essential: learning systems can only succeed when people feel supported in experimenting, reflecting, and improving.
Designing the Future of Practice
The podcast positions learning as a strategic priority for AEC firms navigating increasing complexity, distributed teams, and rapid change. For Shepley Bulfinch, the effort to build a more connected, adaptive organization reflects a broader commitment to design excellence, one extending beyond projects to the systems that support people and practice.
Emily Hooper
Senior Brand + Communications Manager
Emily leads brand and communications strategies across six physical and virtual studios.