An educational attitude informs how the landscape designer leads her firm and guides her clients.

Welcome to Leadership Files, a DLN franchise where Members share what helps them run successful businesses, from daily routines to hiring rules. The recipient of the DLN's 2022 Design Leadership Award, Janice Parker has helmed her eponymous landscape design firm since 1984. In that time, she's built up an impressive portfolio of work from city rooftops to sprawling rural estates and been recognized in publications including Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, The New York Times, and many more. But perhaps most importantly, she's built a talented and dedicated team, skillfully leading them on projects around the globe from her studio in Connecticut. Here, she shares her best lessons.

What is the first important thing you do every morning?

I reflect on a moment of gratitude for the day while drinking a morning cup of coffee. Or two.

What newspaper/magazine/outlet do you never miss an issue of?

The Wall Street Journal and NYT Style Magazine, The Borowitz Report in The New Yorker, The Atlantic and, of course, all of the shelter magazines.

What’s the most useful advice you’ve ever gotten in your career?

Follow the “no-jerk” policy (thank you Art Gensler). Relationships are everything, so I protect my business and my conscience by practicing and enforcing this in all things.

Additionally, John Brookes, my mentor and teacher advised me to teach. That’s how you truly refine your knowledge and point of view.

What’s one piece of advice you’re glad you didn’t take?

Do not go into your own business alone, and without a large reserve.

How about the advice you didn’t take and wish you had?

Listen carefully, wait to speak.

How did you know the time was right to start your own firm?

I was always ready. I will never know if it was the right time. It just was.

How did you know when the time was right to grow?

I was working 90 hours a week—not sustainable, thought it was great training!

What’s the most effective way you motivate your employees?

Free lunch! But really, I find that each employee is different, and has unique motivators. The trick is to treat everyone as an individual and embrace those differences to find a balance that works for everyone. Ask them what motivates them the most and see if you can accommodate it.

How do you keep in sync with employees working remotely?

We have a protocol in place I call "Goal and Control." It works with time management, priorities, vital action items, and deadlines. If everyone is on track, and they always are, work organization is not a problem.

We are used to being scattered to the wind on job site installations and have effective systems in place for remote work. FaceTime, inter-office chat programs, daily team check in video meetings, and shared calendars all help! The real secret is to have trust in your team and keep an open-door policy.

What’s your first rule of smart hiring?

Make sure the applicants complete a skills assessment! You do not know what someone is capable of until they show you.

What’s the most important trait of a good manager?

Communication and trust. Be willing to listen and support, but let your team do the job they were hired for without micromanaging. Everyone, including me, is in training. Never stop training.

Who is someone whose business you admire in the design industry?

Walter Hood is impressive. He is always pushing boundaries with his work and has walked the line between art and landscape/architecture/design so gracefully.

How about someone outside the design industry?

Dr. Denise Nunez. She is an extraordinary doctor who started the Nino De La Caridad Foundation. She works nonstop to affect real change in the lives of children in the Bronx. I am a founding member of the Board.

This or that:

Open floor plan or closed offices?

Open—but you need closed spaces for concentration and study.

Set desk or rotating spaces throughout the day?

Set—you need your space.

Phone calls or emails?

Phone!

Morning or afternoon coffee?

Morning.

Reply to email throughout the day or tackle it all at once?

Once—or it will take over your life!

Orderly workspace or organized chaos?

Orderly workspace unless you just can’t. Then clean it up on Friday!

Physical pin board or Pinterest/Instagram?

Not Pinterest; we gather images, use inspiration boards, and share influences in the office.

Early mornings or late nights?

Early mornings—and weekends!