A firm’s parking lot can reveal more about its culture than any mission statement posted inside the office.
I’ve spent nearly 46 years visiting architecture and engineering firms across North America. Before entering any firm, I usually take a moment to observe the employee parking lot.
This habit stems from my lifelong passion for cars. I appreciate a wide range of vehicles, from a meticulously restored Jaguar E-Type to a brand-new Porsche 911, an old F-250 work truck, a Tesla Model S Plaid, or even a Honda Civic with 300,000 miles on it. I don’t have strong brand loyalty; I simply admire good design, clever engineering, and machines that fulfill their purpose effectively. However, I’ve come to realize that my focus has shifted from cars to people.
Before anyone accuses me of making sweeping generalizations, let me clarify. While I do recall data from our Principals, Partners + Owners Reports in the 1990s that indicated AEC firm principals were most likely to drive either a green or black Ford Explorer, there isn’t a peer-reviewed study proving that architects drive Porsche 911s while engineers drive Toyota Tacomas and Land Cruisers today. I’ve personally checked.
Nevertheless, there’s a growing body of research suggesting that personality, attitudes, and lifestyle play a significant role in our vehicle choices. A 2022 study published in “Personality and Individual Differences” found that automobile preferences generally cluster into two broad dimensions: “style and performance” versus “safety and practicality.” The researchers also discovered that measurable personality traits can predict which of these dimensions individuals value most.
An earlier study published in “Transportation Research Part A” reached a similar conclusion. Researchers found that attitudes, personality, and lifestyle significantly influence vehicle type choice, surpassing traditional demographic factors such as age, gender, and income.
That immediately made me think about our industry. Architecture and engineering firms attract exceptionally intelligent individuals, but they don’t all think alike. In fact, research published in the “Journal of Management in Engineering” by the American Society of Civil Engineers revealed measurable differences in personality preferences associated with various engineering and architectural roles. Paul Carr, Jesus de la Garza, and Michael Vorster discovered that professionals with intuitive and perceiving personality preferences tended to perform better in conceptual planning and construction administration, while those with stronger judging preferences excelled during detailed design work. Interestingly, the commonly held distinction between “thinking” and “feeling” personalities had little correlation with professional performance.
The research doesn’t reveal what people drive. My own observations do. Architects seem to have a preference for vehicles that are aesthetically pleasing and stand out as beautiful objects in their own right. Over the years, I’ve noticed a significant number of Porsche 911s, Audi A5s, Audi Q5s, Volvo XC90s, Volvo wagons, Range Rovers, and BMWs parked in architecture firm parking lots. These aren’t necessarily the most expensive vehicles available; they’re simply products where design, materials, proportions, and craftsmanship are of utmost importance. Architects spend their lives contemplating aesthetics, and many seem to derive pleasure from driving something that reflects their appreciation for thoughtful design.
On the other hand, engineers often make vehicle purchases based on practical considerations rather than making a statement. Reliability, durability, ease of maintenance, and resale value are key factors for them. They seem less interested in aesthetics and more focused on making sound decisions. In the past, Mercedes diesels were popular, but today, Toyota Tacomas are widely seen. So are 4Runners, Tahoes, Subarus, Honda Ridgelines, Ford F-150s, Chevrolet Silverados, and of course, Lexus SUVs that are likely to remain in use even after their owners retire. When asked why they bought a Tacoma, engineers often provide a detailed explanation involving reliability statistics, depreciation, off-road capabilities, and the availability of replacement parts.
Civil engineers may be the easiest group to identify. Their parking lots often contain a substantial number of pickups, which is not an image-conscious decision but rather a practical necessity. Many civil engineers spend their days on construction sites, undeveloped land, or transportation projects where four-wheel drive and ground clearance are essential tools of the trade.
Of course, there are wonderful exceptions. I know architects who drive one-ton diesel pickups and electrical engineers who own vintage Alfa Romeos. One of the things I appreciate most about people is that they don’t always fit neatly into categories.
What truly captivates me is not individual choices, but rather the parking lot’s reflection of the company’s essence. The healthiest firms I’ve encountered usually boast the most intriguing parking lots. A 20-year-old Accord is parked next to a sleek Porsche Macan, while someone drives a muddy Tacoma because they’re constantly on job sites. Another commuter opts for a Volvo XC60, appreciating Scandinavian design. Finally, someone has bought the Corvette they’ve yearned for since high school (and no, not all Corvette drivers are old men in jean shorts with bright white athletic shoes!). Remarkably, no one seems to care about anyone else’s vehicle choices.
This diversity speaks volumes. It suggests that people feel at ease making decisions that align with their unique circumstances rather than conforming to an unwritten standard. It implies that the company values contributions over appearances and embraces different personalities rather than forcing them into a single mold.
We often spend considerable time discussing company culture, debating mission statements, flexible work schedules, rewarded and punished behaviors, office design, and leadership styles. While these aspects are undoubtedly important, culture also manifests itself in subtle, unintended ways. Sometimes, it’s revealed between the painted parking lines.
The next time you visit a client, a competitor, or even your own office, take a few extra minutes to walk through the parking lot before heading inside. Don’t do it to judge anyone’s taste or financial status. Instead, observe one more expression of the personalities that comprise the organization.
If you’re like me, you’ll still admire the cars. However, after a while, you’ll realize that the people are far more interesting than the machines they drove to work.
 |
Mark Zweig is Zweig Group’s chairman and founder. Contact him at mzweig@zweiggroup.com. |
