John Maxwell’s 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership teaches us that leadership ability is the “lid” on personal and organizational effectiveness. In simple terms, your leadership skills set the ceiling on your success and your team’s success.

A highly skilled engineer, architect, or accountant might be excellent technically, but if their leadership capacity is limited, the entire team’s performance will eventually plateau. On the other hand, when leaders intentionally grow, they “raise the lid”—allowing themselves and those they lead to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

The Lid in Action: A/E Industry Examples

• The Project Manager’s Lid
  A project manager may be brilliant with design and technical details but struggles to communicate expectations clearly. The result? Confusion, rework, and loss of profitability. The leadership lid holds back the team’s effectiveness, and not because of skill, but because of limited leadership ability.
• The Department Head’s Lid
  A department head who refuses to delegate keeps all decisions at their desk. The bottleneck creates frustration, slows projects, and prevents team members from developing. The lid isn’t a technical ability; it’s a lack of trust and empowerment.

A principal who invests in developing emerging leaders lifts the lid. By providing training, mentorship, and opportunities for others to step up, they expand the team’s capacity. That investment multiplies the firm’s effectiveness and strengthens its future.

Why This Matters for Design Firm Leaders

In the A/E industry, we pride ourselves on technical excellence — and rightly so. But the Law of the Lid reminds us that technical skills alone don’t scale organizations. Leadership capacity does. The way we communicate, empower, delegate, and influence determines whether our firms thrive or stall.

The CDFO Connection

The lack of leadership skills is where the Certificate in Design Firm Operations (CDFO) comes in. Preparing for and earning the CDFO is one of the most effective ways to raise your leadership lid.

The program doesn’t just deepen your knowledge of finance, contracts, and operations — it broadens your perspective as a leader. It equips you to:

• See beyond your department and understand firm-wide dynamics.
• Make better strategic decisions rooted in both numbers and people.
• Influence outcomes across the organization, not just in your lane of expertise.

In short, the CDFO helps you raise your lid and, in turn, raise your firm’s lid. Where might your own leadership lid be showing up today? And what’s one step you could take to raise it?

The best leaders are lid-lifters. They invest in themselves so they can invest in others, raising the ceiling on what’s possible for their teams and organizations.

👉 Apply for the CDFO today and take the next step in raising your leadership capacity — and your firm’s future.

SDA does not endorse any products or services mentioned, and SDA does not assume responsibility for any circumstances arising out of the interpretation, application, use, or misuse of any information presented. SDA recommends that the reader consult the appropriate legal, financial, or human resource counsel before implementing the information contained herein.

The SDA Fellows Program celebrates the best of the best, people who have helped shape the Society for Design and raised the bar for the business of design. These are the mentors, innovators, and big-picture thinkers who do more than show up; they make things happen. Becoming an FSDA means you have done more than contribute to SDA. It means you have made a lasting impact on your firm, your peers, and the profession itself.

Becoming a Fellow is a milestone worth aiming for. The process starts with a self-nomination, which is really an opportunity to pause and reflect on how far you have come and where you want to grow next. A panel of SDA Fellows reviews each application, looking for individuals who have shown leadership, dedication, and a commitment to advancing practice management. Along the way, you may find yourself inspired to pursue certification, take on new challenges, and continue developing your skills and confidence as a leader.

And here is the best part: the journey does not stop once you are named a Fellow. This group is always up to something good, mentoring members, leading programs, and creating spaces for meaningful professional growth. Their annual Path2Success series has become a fan favorite. It is part book club, part leadership lab, where SDA members dig into big ideas together. This year’s pick, Radical Candor, sparked great conversation about feedback, communication, and authentic leadership that truly changes workplaces for the better.

At its heart, being an SDA Fellow is not about a title. It is about belonging to a circle of professionals who lift others while continuing to grow themselves. Fellows are the ones who see what is possible and help the rest of us get there. If that sounds like you, or the you you want to become, maybe it is time to start your own Path to Success.

When you talk about leadership that endures, you're really talking about influence—and few have influenced SDA's national community quite like Nikki Pierce, CDFA, LEED AP. This year, the Society for Design Administration proudly honors Nikki with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her two decades of dedication to elevating design firm operations, empowering peers, and shaping SDA's educational legacy.

A Journey of Growth

Nikki's story is one of steady growth, grounded in curiosity and service. She began her career at Clark Nexsen in 1999 as a receptionist—a role that quickly became a springboard for her natural leadership abilities. Within a few years, she had advanced to administrative lead in the Charlotte office, and by 2020, she became the firm's Knowledge Manager, helping integrate people, processes, and technology across the organization.

Her colleagues describe her as someone who doesn't wait to be asked.

"When Nikki sees something that needs attention, she takes care of it—or makes sure someone does," recalls one longtime coworker.

That instinct to serve and improve has defined her leadership for more than two decades.

Her SDA Impact

Nikki joined SDA in 2005 through Canstruction's "Canstruct-a-Member" initiative and immediately became active in the Charlotte Chapter—serving as President, Past President, and Treasurer. When the chapter dissolved, she continued her commitment as a Member-at-Large, promoting SDA's mission of education and excellence.

She earned her Certified Design Firm Administrator (CDFA) credential in 2008, joined the National Certification Committee in 2009, and later chaired it from 2012 to 2016. Under her leadership, the Certification Guidebook was extensively revised and the exam strengthened to better reflect the evolving needs of the A/E industry. She returned as Co-Chair from 2020 to 2022 and continues to serve as a valued committee member.

Beyond certification, Nikki has contributed to the National Education Services Committee, Membership Committee, and numerous SDA publications and forums. She has also encouraged colleagues at her firm and across the country to pursue SDA membership and certification, broadening the organization's reach and impact.

Leadership Through Influence

Nikki embodies leadership through influence rather than authority. She mentors generously, collaborates widely, and approaches every challenge with humility and purpose. Her ability to connect people and ideas has shaped SDA's programs and inspired countless professionals to grow their own leadership potential.

As she once reflected in her SDA Secretary application:

"Over time, I have found inspiration in my SDA colleagues. Their articulation and accomplishments have motivated me to push beyond being comfortable in my career and seek out assignments and accreditation I may never have entertained if I had not been exposed to these talented professionals."

That commitment to continual learning and encouragement is the hallmark of her influence.

A Legacy of Leadership

From her years of Canstruction involvement to her role in advancing SDA's certification standards, Nikki's leadership has left a lasting mark on both the organization and the A/E industry. Her influence multiplies through the colleagues she has mentored and the systems she has improved—proof that true leadership isn't about position, but about the difference you make.

SDA is proud to celebrate Nikki Pierce as the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, honoring a career built on integrity, education, and service.

Join the Celebration

Join us in congratulating Nikki Pierce, CDFA, LEED AP, on this well-deserved honor! We invite members and colleagues to share their stories, memories, and messages of appreciation in the comments below.