197: ‘The Hidden Struggles of Leading in AEC Tech’, with Phil Read and Harlan Brumm
A conversation with Phil Read and Harlan Brumm exploring the transition from technical expert to leader in AEC, addressing the lack of support for this shift, and highlighting the importance of shared experiences, vulnerability, and personal growth in leadership development.
Phil Read and Harlan Brumm join the podcast to talk about the often-overlooked transition from technical expert to team leader, and how the AEC Acoustics Leadership Retreat was designed to support this journey. We explore the power of shared experience, vulnerability, and creating space for meaningful personal and professional growth in an industry that rarely provides resources for this critical career shift.
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Connect with the Guests
Phil Read
- AEC Acoustics Leadership Retreats
- Learn more and Register for the Fall 2025 retreat
- Read | Thomas – Phil’s consultancy specializing in AEC technology integration
Harlan Brumm
- Autodesk Revit – Harlan is a Revit Product Leader
- Autodesk LinkedIn
Books and Philosophies
- William Bridges’ Managing Transitions
- Amazon Link
- A classic on managing personal and organizational change, relevant for leaders navigating complex transitions.
- Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead
- Amazon Link
- Focuses on building courage and vulnerability into leadership—perfectly aligned with the retreat’s philosophy.
- Ryan Holiday’s Stillness Is the Key
- Amazon Link
- On cultivating clarity and composure—resonant with the retreat’s decompression theme.
Leadership & Personal Development
- Randy Benn – Leadership Facilitator
- Known for guiding personal and group leadership growth at AEC Acoustics events.
- Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership
- Program Overview
- Georgetown SCS's Institute for Transformational Leadership offers a vital experience for addressing 21st-century leadership challenges.
- Emotional Agility by Susan David
- Amazon Link
- Discusses how to navigate inner experiences to lead effectively, mirroring themes in the episode.
Psychology and Wellbeing
- The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown
- TED Talk
- A foundational perspective in creating safe spaces for leadership reflection.
- Vacation, Nature, and Mental Health
- Harvard Health Article
- Supporting the retreat’s nature-focused design as a way to decompress and build resilience.
About Phil Read:
Phil is the CEO and co-founder of Read | Thomas - a global BIM/VDC consulting group and go-to-market startup advisor.
In 2020, Read | Thomas founded the AEC Leadership Retreat, an annual event focused on developing good leadership skills for people in the high stress / low control AEC industry.
When not traveling, you're likely to find Phil driving around Charlotte in a vintage 1960's TR3A or hanging out on Holden Beach, NC in a restored 70's beach cottage.
About Harlan Brumm:
Harlan is a Revit Product Manager at Autodesk, based in Manchester, New Hampshire. With over a decade supporting AEC professionals, Harlan brings a deep technical background—including experience at Midwestern architectural and engineering firms—into his role shaping BIM tools for architecture and construction.
Known for his clarity in translating complex technical concepts into real-world applications, he’s driven by a passion for how technology can empower architects to design a better world.
