Journal
Creative teamwork
The landscape profession consists of individuals who have a diverse range of functional skills and abilities at their disposal. They are able to understand complex environmental systems and apply their aesthetic sensitivities to create new places. They are able to use their mathematical skills and spatial awareness to create landscape detailing and specifications while thinking strategically about more abstract concepts such as landscape character. But is our team role distribution as varied as our functional strengths? Previous research would suggest not. What are the qualities needed in an architect or landscape designer? They need to be imaginative and creative, self-motivating, with a mind capable of analysing complex problems. They have to be good project managers – skilled in organising their time and capable of meeting deadlines. They would also need to be good salespeople, able to generate business. Finally they would need to be able to cope with stress, remaining unflappable in crisis and undaunted by feelings of impossibility at the start of a project. It also might be useful, especially in their dealings with clients, if they possessed a certain gravitas – that natural authority and charisma that people expect from professionals. Discuss this article
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