Facility Rockstars | Bridging the Talent Gap: Mentorship, Advocacy, and the Future of FM

Bridging the Talent Gap: Mentorship, Advocacy, and the Future of FM | Frank Rhodes II

June 5, 2025 / 47:32/E65

Frank Rhodes II, Senior Director of CapEx and Facilities at Benchmark Senior Living, discusses his extensive 18-year career in hospitality, engineering, and facilities management. Frank shares his journey from a tradesman to a senior director, discussing the importance of mentorship, continuous improvement, and the challenges of managing catastrophic events. He emphasizes the value of taking a breath before reacting to crises and illustrates how effective debriefing and team collaboration can lead to successful outcomes. Frank also discusses the need for talent advocacy within the Facilities Management industry and the role of organizations like IFMA in bridging the talent gap. Throughout the conversation, he highlights the importance of work-life balance, family support, and investing in personal and professional growth.

Takeaways:

Practice the "Take a Breath" Method in High-Stress Situations. Instead of reacting impulsively to emergencies or difficult situations, pause. This allows for a more strategic and thoughtful response. For instance, write the email, but come back to it later to reread before sending.
Implement the "Flawless Execution" Framework. For any project or event, follow the four-step process used by Blue Angel pilots: Plan, Brief, Execute, and Debrief. The debrief is critical for learning and improving, and it should be done in a way that encourages honest feedback by "taking off your name badge at the door".
Actively Seek Mentorship, Even Informally. Identify the experts and leaders you admire and don't hesitate to make them your first call when you face a challenge. A mentor doesn't need a formal title; they can simply be your go-to resource for specific areas like HR, soft skills, or technical issues.
Advocate for the FM Profession to Bridge the Talent Gap. Get actively involved in attracting new talent. This can be done by using social media to recognize your team and spread the word, speaking at local vo-tech and high schools, or participating in and judging SkillsUSA events to connect with the younger generation.
Create a Safe Space for Team Feedback. Meaningful collaboration doesn't always happen in a group setting. Recognize that some team members may be hesitant to speak up. As a leader, it's your responsibility to follow up with those individuals in one-on-one meetings to ensure their voice is heard in a comfortable environment.
Invest in Yourself Through Professional Associations. Join an organization like IFMA not just for networking, but as a direct investment in your own career growth and education. Use the association as a primary resource for unbiased advice, accreditation opportunities like the CFM, and support when you're facing a new challenge.
Prioritize and Be Present with Your Family. Recognize that your family are the "unsung heroes" who sacrifice alongside you. Make a conscious effort to "take a breath at home" and be fully present with your loved ones, as this provides the foundational support needed to succeed professionally.

Quote of the Show:

"None of us can be successful without our team. We could have all the right playbooks. We could say all the right things, but if you don't have a team behind you, you're not going anywhere."

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