Name: Diego Andres Giraldo Gomez

Title: Architect / BIM Manager – EDU

Organisation: BIM Manager of the Urban Development Company - EDU of Medellin.

Project architect, National University of Colombia, Urban design specialist, and certified Autodesk instructor: AutoCAD – Revit – 3D max. With more than 22 years of experience as an architect and 13 years implementing the BIM methodology; He currently serves as:

BIM Manager of the Urban Development Company - EDU of Medellin. Undergraduate and postgraduate university teacher in the implementation of the BIM Methodology at the Sanbuenaventura University of Medellin and the Pontificia Bolivariana University of Medellin. Member of the BIM Forum Colombia Leader of the Infrastructure table at the BIM Forum Colombia

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Diego's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

Definitely, maintaining that ability to motivate and awaken people's potential is essential as a leader. It involves constantly challenging oneself and others to be better, to seek efficiency in processes and to maintain an attitude of overcoming difficulties. Inspiring others with actions and words is an art that requires commitment and empathy. Ultimately, true leadership lies in the positive impact we make on those around us.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I became a leader by being brave and leaving my comfort zone and immersing myself in learning new methodologies such as BIM (Building information modeling), which has proven to be a true driving force for success.

Not only did it position the urban development company EDU in a prominent place, but it also allowed me to lead an exceptional team towards the adoption and mastery of these innovative tools in the architecture, engineering and construction sector.

Competing and winning at the 2018 Autodesk AEC Challenge, beating teams from 33 countries, is an impressive testament to leadership and a team's commitment to excellence.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

It is a process of turning habits into a discipline, I get up early, I take my children to school, I go to work at the company, I return at the end of the afternoon and I teach at the university to new and future architects and leaders, then I read, I study, and I I prepare at least an hour daily, and I go to sleep to start a new day.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

Being a leader does not mean always being at the top and being recognized, and always being at the tip of the spear. The true leader recognizes himself in adversity, when problems happen, when things do not go as desired, and has the ability to reinvent himself and To reposition oneself and be current, a leader is not recognized by what he knows, but by what he is always thinking about doing to always achieve continuous improvement.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

Franz Kafka's metamorphosis teaches us not to conform to the pre-established mold, and to be able to mutate, change and be willing to explore new opportunities and always be alert to new knowledge.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

My advice would be to not give up on achieving your goals and ideals, to be constant, strong, innovative, curious, and with a great capacity for wonder and appreciation for what is happening around you. If you understand your environment, you will better understand your position. where you can be more productive and efficient.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

As a university teacher, when we are in the classrooms showing students the new possibilities that technology and digital transformation bring to their lives, many of them are not prepared to understand it and after a while when I already find them as professionals in different positions in the environment, many have told me, teacher, what you told me was absolutely right and today I am applying it but at the time at the university I did not give it the importance that this had.