Andreas Floros Phelps - Seeker of Truth (Inner and Outer)
I believe that each of us has the potential to be a conduit for positive transformation in the world.
We simply need clarity of vision, the courage to strive, and the discipline to honestly learn from our experiences and keep striving.
This foundation belief drives me to serve as a catalyst for change – both internally and externally.
I have worn many hats in my work with hundreds of individuals, teams, and organizations. I have been a structural engineer, forensic scientist, sustainable systems designer, researcher, human systems developer, general contractor, trainer, facilitator, socio-technical integrated systems thinker, listener, provocateur, storyteller, work therapist, scalability consultant, systems optimizer, learner, annoying question asker, and - when the pressure is right – sometimes a maker of “diamonds.” Through my work, I strive to understand as much as I can about nature (inner and outer), the relationships between elements, and creative ways to manifest our collective potential.
Education
1997-2002
Bachelors & Masters of Architectural Engineering - The Pennsylvania State University
Key Lessons: The dynamics and mysteries of the physical world are knowable if we have the patience to look and try to understand.
2002-2005
Forensic Engineering & Building Science - Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger
Key Lessons: Systems thinking, holistic design, and solutions need to consider science, design, integration, and human interaction.
2005-2008
Ph.D. in Construction Management - The Pennsylvania State University
Key Lessons: Socio-technical factors influence behaviors in teams. In order to understand team dynamics we must understand mental models, learning, trust, and values.
2008-2011
Building Science & Organizational Learning - Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger
Key Lesson: The tremendous power (and rarity) of leveraging collective learnings.
2011-2016
Integrated Projects Executive - Balfour Beatty Construction
Key Lessons: Driving cultural change and integration, overcoming organizational inertia, and applying innovative ideas at scale across an enterprise.
2016-2024
Founder & Principal - The Collective Potential
Key Lessons: Enabling true transformation in organizations, teams, and individuals. Our own engagement with life is the best way to learn about inner and outer nature and be able to share those insights with integrity.
Books
2024
2021
The Sacred Practice of Integration
Tiny House Lean: Insights on Life, Lean, and Organizational Transformation
2012
The Collective Potential: A Holistic Approach to Managing Information Flow in Collaborative Design and Construction Environments
Keynote Presentations
2022
Transformation: The Nature of Work
presented at the Lean Construction Institute Congress (New Orleans, LA)
2022
Tiny House Lean: Life, Lean, and Organizational Transformation
presented at The Partnership for Achieving Construction Excellence (State College, PA)
Select Talks
2016
Words of Change: Language Action Theory in Practice
2016
Unlocking the Full Potential of Teams: From Alignment to Custom Strategy Development
2014
The Real Value in Lean: Understanding the Behavioral Impact of Lean Processes and Techniques
2014
The Co-Evolution of People, Process and Technology: The Socio-Technical Nature of Information Flow Management