7 Bad Business Habits Holding Back Your Architecture Firm—And What to Do About Them
by Todd Reding, Erin Murphy, and Emily Hall
Running a small architecture firm requires juggling dozens of responsibilities. But even the most passionate and talented firm leaders can fall into bad business habits that drain time, reduce profitability, and hold teams back from their full potential.
At CVG, we work closely with firm owners across the country, helping them spot these patterns and replace them with intentional, strategic habits that drive success. Here are seven common traps—and how to get out of them.
1. Being a Control Freak
When firm leaders try to do everything themselves, nothing gets done efficiently. Micromanaging, redoing delegated work, or refusing to outsource are red flags. The fix? Build trust, delegate intentionally, and remember that your role should evolve as your firm grows.
2. Living in the Weeds
Feeling “too busy” to work on the business instead of just in it is a widespread challenge. If you’re always putting out fires, you’re probably missing opportunities for growth, improvement, and development. Build in regular time for business development, process evaluation, and strategic planning.
3. Overdesigning (Without Getting Paid)
It’s easy to fall in love with design, but doing unpaid iterations, writing off hours, or giving away services eats into your firm’s bottom line. Make sure your scope is clearly defined and train yourself and your team to value your time and expertise.
4. Avoiding Conflict
Difficult conversations about fees, team performance, or client expectations are necessary for leadership. Dodging them leads to unresolved issues that snowball. Embrace a culture of direct, respectful communication. It builds trust and sets healthy boundaries.
5. Sloooow Decision-Making
Leaders who hesitate on hiring, firing, or promotions risk losing momentum—or worse, top talent. Timely, data-informed decisions are a hallmark of effective leadership. Practice making decisions with confidence, even if they’re not always perfect.
6. Lacking Structure and Planning
Some firms resist structure, fearing it will stifle creativity. But without planning, businesses drift. Create systems for time tracking, budgeting, marketing, and staffing. Structure allows creativity to thrive within clear parameters, not despite them.
7. Running the Office Like an Architecture School
When a firm’s culture mirrors the hyper-competitive, sink-or-swim studio environment, it leads to burnout and turnover. Recognize emerging leaders, have your team’s back, and build a workplace where people feel supported and seen. Culture isn’t fluff—it’s strategy.
Better Habits Start with Awareness
No firm is perfect, but the most successful ones are those willing to look in the mirror and do the work. Recognizing these unproductive habits is the first step toward shifting your mindset and strengthening your business.
Whether it’s holding too tightly to control, avoiding tough conversations, or over-delivering without fair compensation, these behaviors might feel like survival strategies in the short term, but over time, they quietly chip away at your capacity to lead, grow, and thrive.
The good news? Every one of these habits can be unlearned and replaced with more strategic, empowering behaviors. Start by picking one area where change could make the biggest impact and focus your attention there. Engage your team in honest conversations, set clear goals, and be open to support and feedback.
At CVG, we work with small and mid-sized architecture firms every day to tackle these exact challenges. Our team of experienced consultants offers tailored guidance across financial planning, operations, marketing, and leadership development—because we believe that running a firm should feel energizing, not exhausting.
You’re not alone if you see yourself—or your firm—in this list. Let’s turn awareness into action, and bad habits into bold new strategies.
We’re here to help you build a business that works as beautifully as the spaces you design.