People-Flywheel Effect

by: Ahmed Kurtom

A successful architecture or engineering firm isn’t just defined by its projects—it’s powered by its people. At the core of every great firm is a dynamic flywheel that transforms individual and team efforts into compounding success. The flywheel concept, introduced by Jim Collins in Good to Great, is about building momentum through disciplined, repeatable actions that fuel growth over time. For firms in architecture and engineering, the flywheel allows teams to align around a shared purpose, continuously pushing forward with each project, client relationship, and innovation.

At DesignForce, we believe that people are the foundation of every firm’s success. The flywheel isn’t just about processes or profits; it’s about creating a structure where your team’s capabilities, talents, and expertise drive sustainable growth. When the right people are engaged, and empowered to lead with purpose, each turn of the flywheel builds energy, generating success that fuels itself.

The Power of the Flywheel in Architecture and Engineering

The flywheel model is especially relevant to architecture and engineering firms, where every project is a chance to build momentum. The beauty of the flywheel is that it’s adaptable—it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. How leaders implement it depends on the strengths, culture, and vision of their firm. While the basic principle is the same—turning success into more success—how you activate it can vary greatly. Leaders must focus on building flywheels that align with their firm’s unique identity, rather than following a formula.

Multiple Approaches to the Flywheel

Instead of relying on cookie-cutter steps, architecture and engineering leaders can take different approaches to build their firm’s flywheel. Here are some ways leaders in our industry can get creative with it:

1. Leverage Expertise Differently

One firm might focus on innovation in sustainable design, while another could prioritize mastering the complexities of public infrastructure. For some, the starting point might be technical mastery—turning their specialized knowledge into a differentiator that attracts bigger clients and projects. Others might focus on client experience, creating a seamless, trusted partnership that fuels long-term relationships.

Example: A firm specializing in high-security federal work might leverage its flywheel by continually refining its expertise in security protocols, whereas a firm that focuses on cutting-edge sustainable design would use its flywheel to lead the market in energy-efficient solutions. Both firms build momentum, but their core strength is different.

2. Scale Through Client Relationships

Leaders might choose to focus their flywheel on deepening client relationships rather than just technical expertise. Firms can transform one successful project into a long-term client partnership, leading to repeat business, referrals, and expanding into new sectors through trusted relationships. The key here is that people, not just projects, keep the wheel turning.

Example: One firm might turn a standout project into a portfolio of repeat work by exceeding client expectations and becoming the go-to advisor for their expansion projects. Another firm might strengthen its flywheel by focusing on high-impact collaborations, where building trust becomes the driver of future opportunities.

3. Invest in Talent and Culture

Instead of focusing solely on external success, some leaders choose to prioritize the internal—cultivating a strong culture, investing in top-tier talent, and encouraging leadership at every level. This kind of flywheel turns when team members feel empowered and engaged, leading to greater innovation and efficiency on every project. As your people grow, so does your firm.

Example: A firm that nurtures a culture of innovation might see its flywheel driven by the ideas of its engineers and architects, whose energy and creativity attract clients eager for breakthrough solutions. Alternatively, a firm that fosters a culture of excellence in project delivery might build its flywheel around consistently delivering on time and under budget, creating trust that fuels growth.

Adapt the Flywheel to Your Firm’s Strengths

Ultimately, your firm’s flywheel will be as unique as its people and culture. Leaders need to understand where their firm’s strengths lie and how they can build a cycle of success that turns those strengths into lasting momentum. Whether it’s through mastery of a niche market, cultivating long-term client relationships, or investing in internal growth, the flywheel thrives when it’s grounded in authenticity and driven by the collective force of your people.

The flywheel isn’t just a strategy—it’s a mindset. It’s about creating the conditions where success becomes a habit, where every action reinforces the next, and where your firm can scale in a sustainable, deliberate way.

The People-First Flywheel

At the heart of every flywheel is your team. The flywheel isn’t just a strategic model—it’s a people-first framework. The technical skills, creativity, and leadership within your firm drive the momentum that keeps the flywheel turning. By focusing on empowering your people and aligning them with a clear purpose, you create a system where their strengths drive compounding success.

Every turn of the flywheel is powered by your team’s expertise and collaboration. Whether it’s an engineer pushing the boundaries of green design, a project manager expertly handling complex government contracts, or a creative architect solving design challenges, your people are what make the flywheel work.

Building Your Firm’s Flywheel

Creating a flywheel for your firm isn’t a one-time task—it’s a process of continuous refinement and focus. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Identify Your Strengths – Look at your firm’s past successes. What is the core competency that has driven your growth?
2. Map Your Flywheel – Sketch out the cycle of actions that naturally build on each other to create momentum.
3. Test and Refine – Compare your flywheel against your successes and failures. Does it align with what has worked for your firm in the past?
4. Drive the Flywheel – Once your flywheel is in motion, push it forward every day. Invest in your people, focus on your strengths, and use each success to fuel the next.

At DesignForce, we help architecture and engineering firms build flywheels that are rooted in their people, driving long-term growth and sustainable success. Whether your focus is on green technologies, high-security federal projects, MEP services, or infrastructure, we work with you to create a system that turns your firm’s unique strengths into scalable momentum.

Take the Next Step

Building your firm’s flywheel is one of the most powerful ways to create a sustainable, scalable growth engine. If you’re ready to take your firm to the next level, we’d love to help. Reach out to us at DesignForce to start building your flywheel today. Together, we’ll create the momentum that drives your firm forward, turn after turn, success after success.

Continued Reading

• Jim Collins’ Flywheel Concept – A deeper dive into the original concept.
• The Power of Momentum in Business – Insights on how momentum drives business success from Harvard Business Review.
• How Green Building Trends are Shaping the Future – Explore the latest in sustainable architecture and engineering.