On Center with Don Duncan - Lessons on Networking, Empathy, and Small Firm Growth

Architect Don Duncan joins the On Center Podcast to discuss the realities of practicing as a generalist, educator, and advocate in today’s design industry. Get practical insights into career resilience, the technology hype, and the surprising power of strong relationships.How Don survived losing four jobs during the Great Recession and built a resilient career The advantages and challenges of being a generalist versus a specialist architect Real talk on setting client expectations, protecting your time, and the value of honest communication The practical role of technology and AI in small firm workflows—what actually matters, what doesn’t The impact of mentorship, networking, and why building relationships drives more work than targeted marketing Thanks for listening to The On Center Podcast where we explore the craft, technology, and people shaping the built environment. A special thanks to our sponsor, MAPP3D Solutions, providing high-accuracy LiDAR scanning and reality capture services that help architects and builders bring their vision on center. To learn more, visit mapp3dsolutions.com. Thanks for listening, and until next time, stay on center.”