Are you happy at work? This year’s Guerrilla Tactics Conference, the RIBA’s annual flagship conference for SME practices, will explore wellbeing as an essential focal point for better business and personal resilience.
Back as a live event for the first time in three years, the conference will be held at the RIBA London headquarters on 8 November 2022, allowing delegates to meet in person again and network in-between inspirational talks. A diverse CPD programme designed to help practitioners fulfil their learning requirements will be delivered online in the same week.
Attention to mental wellbeing and a better work-life balance has come to the fore in recent years, further reinforced by the impact of the pandemic. A practice culture conducive to wellbeing, the ability to balance family and work commitments while earning a decent income, and the pursuit of meaningful work have become essential for architects and practice leaders alike, who seek to retain skilled staff and achieve personal balance. Wellbeing is underpinned by profitable practice, a strong ethical framework, and considered leadership.
This creates a heady mix, that this year’s Creative Directors will set out to tackle by providing a platform for discussion about different takes on wellbeing and insight into how forward-thinking practices are working to achieve it. Practice Director Amos Goldreich and Business Coach Parag Prasad have teamed up to curate this year’s programme.
“Architects are incredibly committed to their profession, to bringing great design to clients,” states Parag Prasad, Managing Director and Head Coach at the Business Growth Agency.
“But this commitment often comes at an avoidable personal cost,” he continues. “That is why 'Wellbeing' is this year’s theme. Inspiring architecture is not a function of the number of hours worked. Working in practice should be about fulfilment as well as profit: both can coexist.”
“Achieving that balance contributes to everyone’s wellbeing,” enthuses Amos Goldreich, Director of Amos Goldreich Architecture.
“The programme will hopefully inspire attendees to ask questions and encourage discussions about a practice culture conducive to wellbeing.”
The Creative Directors will explore different leadership and management modes, ask if ‘skin in the game’ leads to empowered staff and less pressured directors, and present case studies of practices that achieved a four day week without reducing income. The programme will span from wider practice culture to insights on managing the mind – building confidence and improving interpersonal communication. It will dive into time mastery and how to respond if a team member needs support.
”On practice culture, we will be learning from innovative practices about better communication, about promoting respect and how they share their value system with the team,” Goldreich reveals.
“Having well defined values allows team members to really feel engaged and empowered: that they are part of a bigger picture, that they are influencing the direction of the practice. If the practice culture resonates with team members’ own personal beliefs, it can completely transform the way they think about work – in a positive way.”
Client management is another essential element of wellbeing within practice.
“We’d like to delve into the emotional and psychological aspects of how our brains work – and perhaps more importantly, how our clients’ brains work,” he ventures. “Understanding what is important to the client – on a deeply personal level – is crucial to a balanced project.”
Goldreich has taken regular sessions with an Emotional Coach, and he has found the experience has transformed the way he handles the more challenging situations with clients.
“It has given me ways to better understand myself, the impact of my actions on other people, and how to read others more sensitively. When you understand your client’s mindset, that can contribute to your own wellbeing.”
Guerrilla Tactics will share insights from practices about time management, without which, wellbeing is impossible.
“Greater efficiency does not have to be at the expense of great architecture,” points out Prasad. “Part of good time management is knowing that saying ‘we have finished’ really means that.”
Goldreich’s own practice demonstrates that a better work-life balance is possible – without taking a salary cut. He implemented a 4.5 day week over a year ago. The working week ends at lunchtime on Friday, while the practice has maintained the same staff salaries.
“I believe productivity has increased. During the week it forces you to focus and plan ahead much more efficiently. People seem to be genuinely recharged.”
Tickets for the 2022 Guerrilla Tactics conference will be launched at the end of July and will be announced in the Member Update.
Thanks to Amos Goldreich, Director, Amos Goldreich Architecture; and Parag Prasad, Managing Director and Head Coach at the Business Growth Agency.
Text by Matt Milton and Gesine Kippenberg. This is a feature edited by the RIBA Practice Team.
