122: Expect More, Experience Better with Chairman Barry Barber, Kimley Horn

This episode welcomes Barry Barber, Chairman of the Board at Kimley-Horn. Barry shares invaluable insights into how Kimley-Horn has become a leader in the AEC space, growing to over 8,500 employees with innovative expansion strategies. The interview delves into Kimley-Horn's distinctive ownership model and Barry's deep commitment to organizational culture and leadership development, emphasizing flexibility, community, and high performance at scale. 

The conversation also highlights Kimley-Horn’s meticulous approach to recruiting top talent, sharing strategies for maintaining culture even during rapid organizational growth. The episode provides a comprehensive look at the path to ownership within the firm, emphasizing performance-driven progression and the importance of developing future leaders. Barry’s stories and experiences underscore a commitment to sustainable business practices, employee empowerment, and customer satisfaction, making it a must-listen for anyone curious about successful business and team management strategies in the AEC industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Strategic Growth: Kimley-Horn's expansion to 150 offices is driven by local leadership and opportunities identified by employees and clients.
• Ownership Structure: With around 925 owners, Kimley-Horn’s ownership transition plan emphasizes performance and participation over tenure.
• Culture and Integration: The firm’s success is heavily attributed to its focus on maintaining culture and ensuring smooth integration of new hires and offices.
• Talent Acquisition: The emphasis on college recruiting and personalized interview processes helps attract talented individuals who align with the company values.
• Leadership Development: Continuous leadership training and development help prepare emerging leaders for future responsibilities, fostering personal and professional growth.

Notable Quotes:

1. "I decided I'd rather own a small piece of something bigger than a big piece of something small." - Barry Barber
2. "It’s kind of the old build your people and they’ll build your organization." - Barry Barber
3. "The flywheel's going. The flywheel's going." - Barry Barber on Kimley-Horn's continuous growth strategy.
4. "Our job is to help other people be successful." - Barry Barber reflects on leadership roles.
5. "There's rarely a dull moment in it, but it’s been a cool thing." - Barry Barber discussing his journey in HR.

Resources:

• Kimley-Horn Website: kimley-horn.com
• "The Outsiders" by William Thorndike
• Podcast Recommendation: Acquired Podcast

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