Walter Marin, Marin Architects | This industry is known for exceptionally long hours. This CEO has flipped that norm on its head and is succeeding beyond his wildest dreams

Architecture firms are known for the grind. Walter Marin, CEO of Marin Architects, says that architecture can be known as an abusive industry. He noticed his people getting exceptionally tired and being less productive when pushed. He found that 6:30PM was the magical hour, after which there would be rapidly diminishing output.

So now, he doesn’t allow his team to work after 6:30PM. He makes it clear that expectations are still high -- but if you don’t have a life after work, you won’t be alive enough to work. His retention rate is very high and so is the team’s productivity. And, the work they do is, as a result, top notch. What’s not to love?

“Hire people that are smarter than you and treat them with a great deal of respect.”