How Do You Mentor the Next Generation?

An excerpt from the American Institute of Architects Future Focused video series.

I was asked to join the Future Focused video series earlier this year to share my perspectives as a member of the architecture community. I came with a non traditional architecture path, 'out the norm' thinking and am very focused on impact and purpose with the work that I do.

The creative energy of the next generation fuels me and because we have very similar views, I want to empower them to be authentic, and to be able to translate themselves and their values into the work they will do to lead impactful and meaningful lives. My work is focused on designing from the core -one's core, one's truth - hence the name of my design firm Design Veritas. (Veritas is truth is latin).

Even though my work has changed over the course of the last 20 years, my philosophy and my truth has always remained the same. Being authentic, having social impact and creating change.

As adjunct faculty in two departments at WPI (Worcester Polytechnic Institute) with my design studios,

I ask the students to design from a place of awareness: an awareness of themselves, an awareness of the world around them, and an awareness of the impact they can have.

All three are not very much the norm in the design process, the mindset nor approach to projects.

This I translate to the work that I do with organizations and businesses with their visionary leaders: have them design, make decisions and lead from their place of authenticity and awareness. In our day and age, with burn out, stress and unfulfilled lives, something has to change. Leaders who have the awareness (of all three) will be the ones who will succeed in leading organizations in our unpredictable and ever changing times.

Design is the key and solution to so many things. I knew this when I graduated from McGill University's School of Architecture, where my fresh idealism has led me to today. Being surrounded by the diversity in Montreal was so enriching for me to understand people and that we are looking for happiness at the end of the day, no matter who we are. This fresh idealism still speaks today. The 'norm' would tell me to be realistic and face reality, but I still very much believe in the beauty, awe and hope that surrounds us. We have the technology, resources and opportunities like never before. We have all this at our fingertips. This is an opportunistic time, like never before. (And this is what I tell my students)

Yet the struggles faced today are all man made; with how people think, how they are conditioned and what constitutes their foundation and values for life. This is a reality we do have to face today: everyone is different. So we have our part to play in understanding this, navigating this and thriving within the differences of thought we are surrounded by. This is the beauty of the world we live in and this is what is makes us human.

There are many struggles faced today and I believe it is because people have lost what it means to be human - to truly thrive and flourish as human beings in a world that is surrounded by the beauty in nature, innovations and social connections. People have lost that connection to themselves: their inner being of where they find peace, solace and fulfillment; and truly don't realize their full potential. This is humanity's most essential need of fully realizing themselves. And that is why my work is based on awareness.

1. When people have self awareness, they are connected to their true selves. Here they understand themselves, can take care of themselves and navigate in an unpredictable and ever changing world. This is resiliency.
2. When they have an awareness of the world around them, they can design, make decisions and can lead from a place of compassion and empathy. They are successful with an understanding of what the world needs around them. This is relevancy.
3. When they have an awareness of the impact they can have, then they lead from a sense of responsibility, strength and courage. The light within each of us is so bright and 'can move mountains' yet we diminish this light by living unconsciously, unaware and without question. Each one if us have talents to translate to the world, an expression of ourselves to share, yet we are not aware of the capabilities of own selves. This is empowerment.

I have learned this by working with students from disadvantaged backgrounds:

When people are challenged they will rise. When people are supported, they will rise. When people are empowered towards their full potential, they will rise.

This is the work that I do with businesses and organizations: to help them create breeding grounds for success by being aware of their people, understanding today's issues and defining and designing their tomorrow. Intentionally designing their cultures is a part of architecture that addresses the behaviors, systems and flows of spaces. It is what happens 'within the four walls'. It is a human centered approach that addresses experiences, alignment and empowerment.

I work with companies that want to have a social conscious, who understand the importance of designing and embedding ESG's for future talent, investment and growth. They want to be human centered with values, purpose and a commitment to human and environmental sustainability and wellbeing.

And that is why I love mentoring the next generation. Because this mirrors their values and their hopes. I want to give them the tools to be able to challenge what has been given to them and authentically and with awareness create a world that is better than what they have inherited.

And what they are inheriting is a world that we are designing today. All the decision makers, leaders and company missions and goals are defining today and unconsciously designing tomorrow.

That is why awareness is so important.

~nma

My design studios are based on awareness. I offer them to companies through workshops, brainstorming sessions, training and courses. I also work with educational institutions on bringing forth a new human centered mindset and approach to preparing students for the future of work and wellbeing for innovation.

Please reach out of you would life to learn more about the Design Studios.

Here is a link to the AIA Future Focused video series:

https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/the-american-institute-of-architects-aia_aia-future-focused-navneet-magon-anand-activity-7202986981318914048-l5Ze?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

There are more insights for the future of work and innovation in my new book,

The Wellbeing Factor: Why Wellbeing is the Key to Business Success Today and Tomorrow. You can buy that here on amazon.

https://a.co/d/8lWWDvJ

You can subscribe to the newsletter, check out www.desginveritas.com or simply contact me to connect. I would love to hear from you!

~Nav

[email protected]