Do you know who you are building the future with?

Maybe you know really well the immediate 10-20 individuals who comprise your family, close friends and colleagues.?But do you truly know who is going to have an impact on you, who will help alter a decision that changes your life or who will bring new opportunities not yet envisioned? I would argue you don’t. It is like playing Texas Hold ‘em, a poker game where you are dealt two cards that only you see – but your hand is made based on the community cards displayed on the table for all to use.

So, what’s my point?

In this game of leadership and life, your foundation comes from the cards in your pocket, but mastery of the game comes from embracing the flop, pivoting at every turn, and learning to flow with the river.?And I daresay the winning hand often does not present itself until you open your eyes to what’s on the table.

In the nine months since standing up a new technology division at Jacobs, I realize how much more I have to learn – and the importance of elevating and learning from others.?I witnessed how the most significant challenges are not solved in a day but require iteration, tenacity, and commitment.?I have seen people with diverse and varied backgrounds be brought together to envision new and even more compelling solutions.?But most importantly, I have learned to appreciate and be open and receptive to the cards that appear because you never know who or what will create a winning hand.

As we blend the application of data and technology into the domains of infrastructure and commercial facilities, my colleagues with a technology background have risen to the challenge to show applicability to hard assets.?Our infrastructure experts have been open to creating and integrating innovative solutions.?We are all mutually compelled to work together in a world with increasingly scarce resources, amplified volatility from climate change and rapidly changing technology.?We need all the tools available to correct the damage we’ve done in the past and create new ways of living to sustain our future.?By folding in leading technologists with our domain experts, we are finding that data and technology can address some of the most significant challenges and if deployed well, can considerably improve our lives.

It is not an easy hand to play out and the stakes are much higher than in a poker game, but we are holding our foundation close and incorporating new cards as they appear. Through this, we are able to improve the security of our critical infrastructure, support the decarbonization and electrification of our world, and design mobility solutions with a connected future in mind – certainly winning hands I would double down on.??

With the cards in our pocket (our purpose and vision) we stay committed through the flop, are willing to pivot at the turn and are collectively harnessing the river of emerging technologies to secure and create a livable, sustainable world for future generations.?????

With this hand, I am all in.?Where are you placing your biggest bets?

Your partner in learning,

Julie?

Published by

Julie Chang

SVP Technology and Innovative Solution / Divergent Solutions at Jacobs