By Mark Deenik, BSE
General Manager, R.T. Patterson Company, Merrillville, IN
When I joined RTP as a Mechanical Engineer in 2005, I didn’t expect my career to evolve into leadership roles. Over time, I moved from Mechanical Department Manager to Project Manager, Assistant General Manager, and now General Manager of our Merrillville office. One thing has remained constant throughout that journey: the importance of strong relationships.
Early in my career, my focus was on detailed drawing production and individual tasks. As my role expanded, I shifted toward managing workloads—and ultimately people—which I’ve come to value most. Whether working with employees, clients, or partners, building cohesive, trusting relationships is essential to both team performance and project success.
Here are a few key lessons I’ve learned along the way:
- Foster a collaborative environment – Encourage open communication, teamwork, and mutual trust and respect.
- Support professional development and growth – Invest in training, certifications, workshops, and conferences. I’m particularly interested in emerging tools like artificial intelligence. While AI isn’t replacing engineering jobs anytime soon, it can streamline design, data analysis, and evaluations. Like any tool, its value depends on proper understanding and thoughtful use.
- Listen and communicate effectively – Strong interpersonal skills matter at every level. Take time to understand client needs and focus on solutions—everyone benefits from clear, purposeful communication.
- Stay flexible – Reading the room and adapting your approach helps ensure your message lands as intended. Leadership requires guiding the overall direction while remaining agile as priorities shift, projects change, or teams evolve—without losing sight of long-term goals.
Advice for Emerging Leaders
For those stepping into leadership roles, seek out someone who’s already successful in the position you aspire to and build a relationship with them. Learn from both their successes and setbacks. At the same time, recognize that others may be looking to you for guidance—be approachable, open, and willing to share.
Engineering is as much about people as it is about projects. Strong relationships, clear communication, and adaptability allow teams to thrive, offices to grow, and clients to succeed. When those elements align, great work follows naturally.