Key takeaways
What property managers can take from Lisa’s approach
- Work from more than one side of the table. Lisa has been the owner, the contractor, and now the owner’s representative, and says that range of perspective makes her better at her job.
- Lean is about respect for people. Planning tools like the last planner ask the people doing the work how long it will take and what could get in the way.
- Volunteer early and often. Lisa says it builds connections and the soft skills that set people apart when their technical skills are equal.
- Learn to speak in front of a crowd. She joined Toastmasters and recommends practising impromptu speaking, not just prepared presentations.
- Build teams with every personality type. Analytical, creative, and caring people each play a role, and the best teams have a mix.
About the guest
LG
Lisa Gibson
Principal, Colliers Project Leaders
Lisa is a principal with Colliers Project Leaders in Calgary, focused on business development and supporting her people. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a specialty in theatre design, led an internal construction team at Brookfield Office Properties, and worked for a general contractor before joining Colliers. She is a long-time volunteer, including with Calgary’s Lean design and construction community.
Episode summary
In this episode
Jared Sarbit talks with Lisa Gibson, a principal at Colliers Project Leaders, whom he first met on a flight to Kelowna. Lisa graduated with a fine arts degree, started in a commercial real estate office, and worked her way into project management, including leading Brookfield Office Properties’ internal construction team and working for a general contractor.
Lisa explains what Colliers Project Leaders does, the traits that kept opening doors for her, and why she has volunteered throughout her career, from Adopt a Family to Lean design and construction. She shares what Lean really means, how her arts background shapes her leadership, and which sectors are growing in Canada.
She also gives advice for future leaders, explains why cleaning can make or break a finished project, and recommends Let Them as a way to focus on what you can control.
Chapters
- 0:00Episode preview
- 1:12Introducing Lisa Gibson
- 2:33What Colliers Project Leaders does
- 3:47Lisa’s role as principal
- 4:38From fine arts to project management
- 6:19Leading a team at Brookfield
- 7:50Traits that open doors
- 9:29Why Lisa volunteers
- 14:50Leading community vs business initiatives
- 16:50What Lean really means
- 19:33Staying energized
- 22:26How a fine arts degree shapes leadership
- 27:49Growing Colliers’ business in Calgary
- 29:25What sets Colliers apart
- 30:23Sectors with growth
- 32:14Advice for future leaders
- 35:05Why cleaning makes or breaks a project
- 37:22Projects that matter to a community
- 39:33Book recommendation: Let Them
Jump to a chapter (19)
- 0:00Episode preview
- 1:12Introducing Lisa Gibson
- 2:33What Colliers Project Leaders does
- 3:47Lisa’s role as principal
- 4:38From fine arts to project management
- 6:19Leading a team at Brookfield
- 7:50Traits that open doors
- 9:29Why Lisa volunteers
- 14:50Leading community vs business initiatives
- 16:50What Lean really means
- 19:33Staying energized
- 22:26How a fine arts degree shapes leadership
- 27:49Growing Colliers’ business in Calgary
- 29:25What sets Colliers apart
- 30:23Sectors with growth
- 32:14Advice for future leaders
- 35:05Why cleaning makes or breaks a project
- 37:22Projects that matter to a community
- 39:33Book recommendation: Let Them
From the conversation
Transcript excerpts
Volunteers are a crucial part of how things happen in this world and if you haven’t volunteered, you’re missing out.
Lisa GibsonPlay from 0:21
For me, this industry is about people and it’s the stories about the… fun interactions or the challenges that we work through together that I remember.
Lisa GibsonPlay from 0:33
I know what I don’t know… I’ve always been very honest about what I don’t know and what I need to learn as much as what I do know.
Lisa GibsonPlay from 9:08
Finishing a project and need it spotless?
We’ll walk your building with you and send a written cleaning scope and price. Free, no obligation.
Read the conversation
Full episode transcript
Show transcript
Paste the edited transcript here.
FAQ
Questions about this episode
What does Colliers Project Leaders do?
It is the project management services part of Colliers. Lisa Gibson says Colliers also offers construction solutions and infrastructure advisory before a project starts, IPD and Lean support during it, and furniture, equipment, and move readiness planning after it.
What is Lean in design and construction?
Lean is often described as reducing waste and maximizing value, but Lisa says its core is respect for people. Tools like the last planner ask the trades doing the work how much time they need and what constraints they face, and teams need psychological safety to raise problems.
Why does cleaning matter at the end of a project?
Lisa says that in spaces like medical clinics, cleaning is everything. If someone walks in and it isn’t spotless, they don’t see the work that went into the project, only what was missed. Her advice is not to cut corners on cleaning.
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