Unearthing Leadership: Lessons from Historical Engineering Failures In this episode of the Engineer Your Success podcast, host Dr. James Bryant engages in a captivating discussion with geotechnical engineer Michael Bennett. They explore how historical engineering failures, like the 19th-century Johnstown Flood, provide valuable leadership lessons applicable to today's world. Bennett shares his unique journey that intertwines civil engineering and history, shedding light on the creation of his Geotechnical History blog. The conversation delves into Bennett’s leadership experiences, the importance of mentorship, and the role of effective communication and emotional intelligence in managing careers and teams. For emerging leaders, Bennett emphasizes the value of perspective, perseverance, and leveraging past knowledge to foster growth and innovation.
00:00 Introduction: Lessons from a 19th Century Dam Collapse
01:00 Meet Michael Bennett: A Passion for Engineering and History
04:55 The Birth of a Geotechnical History Blog
07:57 Exploring Historical Engineering Disasters
13:11 Leadership Lessons from Boy Scouts to Professional Life
19:51 Managing Up and Effective Communication
27:18 Future Endeavors and Advice for Emerging Leaders
31:40 Conclusion: The Role of History in Engineering
ABOUT THE GUEST:
Michael Bennett is a Geotechnical Engineer with Gannett Fleming Transystems and the author of the Geotech History Blog for the Geo Institute of ASCE. With a passion for both engineering and history, Michael explores the lessons learned from historical engineering failures and successes, showing how they continue to shape the field today.Michael's journey began with a deep fascination for railroads and historical structures, leading him to pursue a career in civil engineering while earning a degree in history. His Geotech History Blog has gained recognition for its detailed analysis of geotechnical events, including his five-part series on the Johnstown Flood.Through his work, Michael aims to bridge the gap between past engineering knowledge and modern innovation, helping professionals avoid past mistakes and apply proven solutions to today’s challenges.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-bennett-pe-7b62888a/
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