167: The Unconventional CEO: From Global Marketer to Insightful Design Leader

Practice Disrupted by Practice of Architecture

How can diverse leadership, perspectives, and ideas drive innovation and meaningful change in the AEC industry?

On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we have a fascinating conversation with Rolf Provan, the unconventional CEO of Luckett and Farley, an architecture, engineering, and interior design firm. Rolf's unique marketing background in well-known household brands, informs our discussion on innovation, leadership, and opportunities for meaningful change in the AEC industry.

First, we explore Rolf's background and how it shaped his love for design. He shares his journey to becoming CEO at Luckett and Farley and his approach to bridging communication between employees and leadership. We discuss industry challenges, Rolf's strategies to address these issues, and the mindset he's adopted in his role.

Then, Rolf outlines the firm's approach to sustainability and their method for setting environmental change goals. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and diverse perspectives, and how to effectively cultivate ideas and implement change.

I can't innovate if I'm not willing to look at what somebody in a different profession or with a different background or with different beliefs or a different culture is doing…Celebrating differences and bringing different perspectives from different places, to me, is perhaps the most valuable thing that we can do. Architecture can't get better if we keep using the same tool set against the same thing over and over. - Rolf Provan

To wrap up the conversation, we touch on the self-limiting beliefs in architecture that have held the industry back. Rolf offers advice for those aspiring to enter careers where they have little experience and shares his perspective on ways to make an impact in the future of architecture and design.

Tune in next week for an episode about intellectual property and the future of practice.

Guests:

Rolf Provan

Rolf has driven client-focused innovation and change for some of the worlds biggest brands and businesses, including Shell, Coca-Cola, Volvo, BAT and Anthem. A creative at heart and a "dot-connector," Provan is dialed in with the design community and understands the innovative power of an inter-disciplinary design approach for the clients in each of the market sectors Luckett & Farley serves.

Since he joined Luckett & Farley he has helped define the company's purpose and vision and has advocated for the central role that design must play in our community and in our region. His vision is to leverage Luckett & Farley's inter-disciplinary approach to improve the quality of life, enhance workforce development, and enable the regional economy through impactful design harnessing the power of design for good.

📍 Show Links:

Connect with Rolf on LinkedIn

📚Continue Learning:

Hidden Potential by Adam Grant

📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:

Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Pinterest | Twitter

Check out our past episodes

Be a part of our community — join the conversation