LivLive Ep. 0000029 - Joe Cliggott

Leadership Lessons with Joe CliggottLive from the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Dave sits down with Joe Cliggott, Studio Director and Principal at HKS, for a deep conversation about leadership, humility, and building culture inside major architecture firms.Joe shares his journey from graduating during a recession at Penn State, packing up a U-Haul without a job, and moving to Chicago — to eventually leading one of the most influential studios in the city. But this episode isn’t about titles. It’s about what actually drives long-term impact: people, trust, culture, and consistency.Dave and Joe dig into what makes Chicago’s architecture community unique, how firm culture is shaped (and reshaped), and why humility and steady leadership matter more than ego in scaling teams. They also unpack the realities of navigating downturns, earning influence inside large organizations, and building a reputation that lasts decades.If you’re an architect, design leader, or builder trying to grow without losing your values, this one hits.Why starting a career in a recession can be an advantageHow to build influence inside large architecture firmsThe difference between having a title and earning leadershipWhat actually shapes culture inside design organizationsWhy humility may be the most underrated trait in architectureHow Chicago became a proving ground for architectural careersThe mindset required to sustain a decades-long career in design00:00 – Live from IBS & Chicago Architecture RootsDave introduces Joe and sets the stage from Orlando. Joe reflects on Chicago as the “capital city of architecture” and why it drew him there.05:00 – Graduating Into a RecessionJoe’s Penn State graduation story, moving to Chicago without a job, and how economic downturns shape resilience early in a career.10:00 – Building a Career Without a Master PlanWhy Joe didn’t have a perfectly mapped-out path — and how opportunity plus initiative created momentum.15:00 – Chicago’s Architecture CultureWhat makes the Chicago design community unique, interconnected, and influential.20:00 – From Team Member to Studio LeaderJoe’s evolution through major firms and what changes when you move from contributor to culture-setter.25:00 – Leadership Inside Large FirmsHow influence works in big organizations, earning trust, and aligning teams around shared goals.30:00 – Titles vs. ImpactPrincipal. Senior VP. Studio Director. Why titles matter less than how you show up daily.35:00 – Culture Isn’t a Poster on the WallHow firm culture is created through behavior, mentorship, and consistency — not mission statements.40:00 – Humility as a Leadership AdvantageWhy Joe sees himself as a “prince, not a king” — and how that mindset sustains long-term success.45:00 – Navigating Change & GrowthLessons from moving firms, scaling teams, and adapting across economic cycles.50:00 – Advice to the Next GenerationJoe’s perspective for young architects: risk, relationships, resilience, and showing up.55:00 – Final Thoughts on Legacy & InfluenceWhat it really means to have an impact in architecture — beyond projects.