In an industry built on deadlines, pursuits, and constant pressure, resilience is often framed as grit and endurance. But what if that mindset is actually driving burnout?
In this episode of The PSM Show, Deirdre Booth sits down with Nicole Van Valen, founder of Keen Insights and author of The Joyful Leader, to reframe how AEC firms think about resilience, leadership, and performance. Drawing from her background as a licensed marriage and family therapist and corporate leader, Nicole explains why joy is not a perk or personality trait, but a practical tool that supports focus, steadiness, and long-term sustainability.
The conversation explores how AEC marketers and business development professionals can regulate stress in high-pressure environments, why middle managers play a critical role in shaping culture, and how tools like the Ready, Set, Go model and the Joy Menu help teams reset without stepping away from their responsibilities.
This episode offers grounded, actionable insights for leaders who want to protect their people, strengthen trust, and build teams that can perform consistently over the long game.