Incorporating everything from hands-on labor to leadership roles, facilities management is a versatile industry that has a lot to offer professionals with different skill sets. That’s why Mike McGraw is happy his career path led him to FM over 20 years ago.
McGraw currently serves as a unit director at ESFM USA, the corporate facilities management division of Compass Group USA, where he oversees two customer sites in the Phoenix metro area while supporting other sites as needed. Earlier this year, he was awarded the ESFM President’s Award for his dedication and commitment to service excellence. Prior to joining ESFM about four years ago, he spent the bulk of his career working at high-end resorts and senior living communities.
To learn more about McGraw and his take on industry issues, please read the “Faces of Facilities” interview below:
How did you get your start in the field?
My career started in construction. I’ve worked as a heavy equipment operator, plumbing installer, electrical installer, framer, concrete finisher, and asphalt installer. I then obtained degrees in business management and management while working as a process engineer and later as a corporate trainer for a large semiconductor manufacturing company. I then moved my career into facilities management because I missed working with my hands. Entering facilities management was the best move I ever made. Now I can use my construction, engineering, and management skills all in one industry. One of the things that has always stuck with me is the motto, “Say what you do and do what you say.”
Who has been your biggest influence in the industry, and why?
A semiconductor product engineer was a big influence on me. He knew I was more capable than I thought I was and mentored me to achieve goals that I did not think I could achieve. Some of his quips were, “Change is change,” and, “Mistakes are how you succeed.”
What’s your best mistake, and what did you learn from it?
Assuming. To be an effective leader, I learned that I know there are known unknowns. That is to say, never assume anything. Doing so shows a lack of knowledge, skills, or abilities in whatever you do. I learned that assuming stops me from growing.
Are there any unique FM challenges or benefits at your organization?
ESFM is a fast-growing organization. We are evolving and utilizing the latest in technology and people management techniques. The benefits of this is a culture where your opinions, insights, and knowledge count regardless of job title. That, I have not experienced anywhere else. I wish this organization had been presented to me 20 years ago!
What’s your favorite part about working in the industry?
One of the key aspects is the variety of tasks and responsibilities, which can range from maintaining client expectations to ensuring safety and compliance. The diversity of staff keeps the job interesting and very engaging.
What changes would you like to see in the FM industry?
Maybe to embrace technology more: There is still a lot of old-school thinking out there.
How can company leaders make facilities management a value within their organization?
Looking at this group as just as important to your organization as the CEO, CFO, and the CIO. FM usually only gets noticed when something does not go right!
Where do you see the industry heading in five years? Are you noticing any major trends?
People are our most valuable asset, and we are making strides in recognizing them for their efforts. Secondly, technology—especially AI, I believe—will make huge differences in how we work.
What are you most proud of?
Those I mentor and seeing them succeed! There is no better feeling!
Do you have any advice for people entering the profession?
Working with your hands is a skill that you never lose, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of the plethora of jobs related to FM—from janitors to machine programmers to CEOs!
Anything else you’d like to add?
I will leave you with a quote attributed to Warren Buffet that I have found extremely beneficial when working with others: “You will continue to suffer if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said to you. True power is sitting back and observing things with logic. True power is restraint. If words control you, that means everyone else can control you.”
Are you or a colleague an FM professional interested in being profiled for the “Faces of Facilities” series? Please contact Editor Joe Bebon at JBebon@BLR.com.