A successful infrastructure project doesn’t only come from technical prowess.
Without careful communication and a genuine connection with stakeholders, projects could face delays and even resistance from local communities that might not share the enthusiasm of civil engineers.
And civil engineers aren’t always confident communicators. In a poll conducted by ASCE, over half of respondents reported that out of three “power skills” – communication, leadership, and teamwork – communication was what they found most difficult.
And the Society’s market research found that out of these skills, communication was the most sought-after in hiring.
To help bridge the gap, ASCE launched its Leadership & Management Certificate Program 1, a rigorous course for early- and mid-career civil engineers hoping to master communication as well as leadership and teamwork skills.
During the course, participants will dive into each power skill, learning strategies to integrate non-technical skills into their civil engineering work. The course is split into three certificates – one for each power skill.
Leadership & Management Certificate Program 1 will begin on Jan. 12, 2026, with the Communication Skills Certificate, which also offers an April 13 start date. The Teamwork Certificate will begin on April 13 and July 6, and the Leadership Fundamentals Certificate will start on July 6 and Sept. 7.
Communication
Communication can make or break a project.
Infrastructure isn’t all technical; it’s part of a community. And the community needs to be on board.
One communication challenge civil engineers may face in a project is town halls. When a community is brought together to share their opinions on the impact of a project, grievances may surface, and it’s up to civil engineers to offer a technical perspective that could help stakeholders come to a compromise.
“For example, the way I communicate with a technical colleague differs significantly from how I would engage with someone at a transit agency who may not have a technical background,” Danielle Schroeder McCaskey, P.E., ENV SP, M.ASCE, senior engineer / assistant project manager at Huitt-Zollars, Inc., said during a webinar about the program.
The course will focus on four elements of communication to help civil engineers navigate these types of situations: interpersonal and inclusive communication; verbal and written communication; knowing your audience; and professional and ethical communication.
Leadership
The second power skill, leadership, is another key skill for civil engineers, but approximately one-third of respondents to the ASCE poll noted leadership as the power skill they are the least comfortable with.
In the course, participants will look at leadership from a broader lens than simply a role.
“When we're talking leadership, we're not just talking about leadership as just a title. We're talking about it as the ability to influence others, set direction, and improve organizational outcomes,” said Schroeder McCaskey.
The course will cover four aspects of leadership: attributes and principles; going from a team member to team leader; core leadership responsibilities; and leading team planning and execution.
Teamwork
Teamwork is the thread between every power skill. Leaders, team members, and stakeholders cannot collaborate effectively without a shared goal and mindset.
Fortunately, only 20% of poll respondents noted teamwork as their least comfortable power skill. But what makes a good team member?
“Civil engineers rarely work alone. They must understand the purpose of the team and each member's role,” said Rosanna La Plante, P.E., F.EWRI, F.ASCE, division manager of engineering and construction at WSSC Water and another leader in the creation of the course.
What shapes effective teamwork, she continued, is conflict resolution, census building, and cross-functional collaboration.
In the course, participants will learn about four major aspects of teamwork: role clarity; planning and accountability; emotional intelligence and adaptability; and collaborative dynamics.
Learn more about Leadership & Management Certificate Program 1.
