John Calvin is settling into a new role attracting more projects for global development and construction firm Skanska in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. While the role may be new, the 25-year company veteran plans to hang onto his philosophy that's helped him through his career: don't be afraid to rely on the knowledge and skill of colleagues.
He's been promoted to vice president – account manager, overseeing project execution and completion, from vice president – project executive for Skanska’s building operations in the mid-Atlantic, a region that's got strong rivalry among a variety of companies. "It’s a very competitive market out there," he said.
That's one reason why relying on the expertise of an entire team is so important, he said. And treating colleagues with respect, not always easy when there are deadlines and large investments at stake, is a proven way to build a reputation in an industry where it's not unusual to keep encountering the same people.
Part of the reason he's developed the philosophy is that he's worked in the same region of the country throughout his time at Skanska, starting in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and then holding major roles in Roanoke and Charlottesville, Virginia. The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
What advice do you have for those getting started in the industry?
Never underestimate who you are working with. You need to value your trade partners, your owners and your design teams. Value their professionalism and treat them as a professional with respect at all levels. I think that’s a big one that sometimes people lose sight of. I say that [because] it’s a small world, and the people you’re working with now will likely circle back through your career, if you stay in the business, 10 years later in a higher position. Relationships are important. Don’t burn bridges along the way.
What else have you learned?
It’s better to stay calm through the rough seas. Never try to be the smartest person in the room. So many people can contribute so many things: knowledge, experience, perspective, insight, artistic direction. There’s just so many opportunities to gain something from anybody you interact with in this awesome profession that we have. The best jobs are collaborative jobs that promote teamwork, that show respect and professionalism. It’s a formula you want to try to repeat on every job, and that’s not an easy process with all the variables.
What are important goals for success?
Work hard at pursuing the right projects. It’s also about seeing a project from start to finish and making sure we have happy clients and that we’re still friends with design teams and subcontractors. The big goals are to grow teams and grow people. I want to show clients and designers what we can do.
You've stayed at Skanska for decades. What makes a workplace rewarding?
It’s hard to say without sounding generic, but it starts with the people. I’ve been surrounded by teams and managers and offices of people who I enjoy working with. That’s what you come back to everyday. The Skanska brand leads us to certain types of projects that really challenge me and are in my mind signature, marquee type projects that I can really be proud of. We meet amazing owners and designers along the way.