--- title: Why Misunderstanding Is the Root of Bad Communication with Devlin Fenton of Arch Engineers description: We’re joined by an incredible panel of creative entrepreneurs to explore the challenges and rewards of turning passion into a successful business. image: https://planningalt.com/hubfs/PLANALT-banner-1200x672-web-1.png --- [Skip to the main content.](https://planningalt.com/insights/why-misunderstanding-is-the-root-of-bad-communication-with-devlin-fenton#main-content) [![Logo](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/Logo.svg "Logo")](https://planningalt.com) [![Logo](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/Logo.svg "Logo")](https://planningalt.com) - [Approach](https://planningalt.com/approach) - [Services](https://planningalt.com/services) - [About](https://planningalt.com/about) - [Insights](https://planningalt.com/insights-blog) - [Events](https://planningalt.com/events) - [Contact](https://planningalt.com/contact) - [Login](https://planningalt.com/client-login) [WEALTH PERSONALITY QUIZ](https://planningalt.com/quiz-assessment-landing-page) Toggle Menu Toggle Menu [WEALTH PERSONALITY QUIZ](https://planningalt.com/quiz-assessment-landing-page) - [Approach](https://planningalt.com/approach) - [Services](https://planningalt.com/services) - [About](https://planningalt.com/about) - [Insights](https://planningalt.com/insights-blog) - [Events](https://planningalt.com/events) - [Contact](https://planningalt.com/contact) - [Login](https://planningalt.com/client-login) [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/planning-alternatives/) #### True Wealth Assessment ![PA-Blog\_MoneyPersonality-min](https://planningalt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PA-Blog_MoneyPersonality-min.jpg?width=400&height=224&name=PA-Blog_MoneyPersonality-min.jpg) Everyone has their own unique relationship with money. 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[Start now](https://planningalt.com/true-wealth-assessment?hsLang=en) *Takes 7-8 minutes.* 1 min read # Why Misunderstanding Is the Root of Bad Communication with Devlin Fenton of Arch Engineers [Planning Alternatives](https://planningalt.com/insights/author/planning-alternatives) August 31, 2026 [Day in a Canoe Podcasts](https://planningalt.com/insights/tag/day-in-a-canoe-podcasts) ![Why Misunderstanding Is the Root of Bad Communication with Devlin Fenton of Arch Engineers](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/PLANALT-banner-1200x672-web-1.png) | [![Spotify-teal](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/Spotify-teal.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/episode/47jGvJEeU4ehjXdQEq4NAv) | [![Apple-Podcast-teal](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/Apple-Podcast-teal.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-misunderstanding-is-the-root-of-bad/id1376400571?i=1000786953095) | [![Youtube-teal](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/Youtube-teal.svg)](http://youtube.com/watch?v=JJsllGgnOnk&feature=youtu.be) | | --- | --- | --- |   We sit down with [Devlin Fenton,](https://www.linkedin.com/in/devlinfenton/) CEO of [Arch Engineers](https://www.linkedin.com/company/archengineers/), to explore career pivots, confidence through fear, communication, and resilience after loss. Devlin shares what it took to leave trucking and technology behind for a completely different industry, and how he's approached leading a growing engineering company through the uncertainty that comes with it. Devlin talks through the mindset shifts that made that hard pivot work, before landing on a deeply personal reflection on loss and what it's taught him about resilience.   Key Takeaways: - 00:00 Introduction and the challenge of aligning people, technology, and culture inside a growing organization. - 02:54 Devlin describes leaving trucking and technology to lead a structural engineering company. - 05:02 Fear is a constant in startup life; confidence and certainty are the tools he leans on. - 06:16 Devlin reframes the old 'No Fear' brand into 'Know Fear,' facing fear, not denying it. - 08:50 Over-planning rarely survives first contact; instinct matters as much as analysis. - 09:38 The pivot to engineering was driven by market sentiment, not just financial modeling. - 11:20 Real communication starts with recognizing that shared language doesn't guarantee shared meaning. - 12:08 Dropping expectations in favor of clearly papered agreements with his team. - 14:50 Losing his mother this year reshaped how Devlin thinks about resilience and preparedness. - 18:21 Advice to a 20-year-old self: build a foundation, then get after it despite doubt. Thanks for joining us for the latest episode of “Day in a Canoe.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any of our insightful conversations. If you’d like us to help you define what true wealth means to you, go to [www.planningalt.com](https://planningalt.com/quiz-assessment-landing-page) and take our assessment. Planning Alternatives is an investment advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any opinions expressed may not reflect those of Planning Alternatives.   > “Even though you and I are speaking the same language, what's going on in your head isn't necessarily what I'm hearing.” > > \- Devlin Fenton   Resources Mentioned: - [Planning Alternatives Wealth Assessment](https://www.planningalt.com) - [Arch Engineers Website](https://archengineers.com/) - #Leadership #CareerPivot #Resilience Connect with the guests: LinkedIn: [Devlin Fenton](https://www.linkedin.com/in/devlinfenton/) LinkedIn: [Arch Engineers](https://www.linkedin.com/company/archengineers/) Connect with Nathan Mersereau: Phone: 248-645-1520  Email: [nathan.mersereau@planningalt.com](mailto:nathan.mersereau@planningalt.com) LinkedIn: [Nathan Mersereau](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-mersereau-cfp%C2%AE-a984761/) Address: 255 S Old Woodward, Suite 310 Birmingham, MI 48009 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ### A wealth of insight [![From IPOs to Inner Purpose: Redefining Success with Stephen George of Amaze](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/PLANALT-banner-1200x672-Stephen%20George-min.png)](https://planningalt.com/insights/from-ipos-to-inner-purpose-redefining-success-with-stephen-george) #### [From IPOs to Inner Purpose: Redefining Success with Stephen George of Amaze](https://planningalt.com/insights/from-ipos-to-inner-purpose-redefining-success-with-stephen-george) [Day in a Canoe Podcasts](https://planningalt.com/insights/tag/day-in-a-canoe-podcasts) [![The Art of Exceptional Service and Client Relationships with Barrett Wright of Hill Robinson Yacht Management](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/PLANALT-banner-1200x672-Barrett%20Wright-min.png)](https://planningalt.com/insights/the-art-of-exceptional-service-and-client-relationships-with-barrett-wright) #### [The Art of Exceptional Service and Client Relationships with Barrett Wright of Hill Robinson Yacht Management](https://planningalt.com/insights/the-art-of-exceptional-service-and-client-relationships-with-barrett-wright) [Day in a Canoe Podcasts](https://planningalt.com/insights/tag/day-in-a-canoe-podcasts) [![The High Cost of Hustle, and the Healing That Followed with Kateri Karp of CEO Coaching International](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/PLANALT-banner-1200x672-Kateri%20Karp-min.png)](https://planningalt.com/insights/the-high-cost-of-hustle-and-the-healing-that-followed-with-kateri-karp) #### [The High Cost of Hustle, and the Healing That Followed with Kateri Karp of CEO Coaching International](https://planningalt.com/insights/the-high-cost-of-hustle-and-the-healing-that-followed-with-kateri-karp) [Day in a Canoe Podcasts](https://planningalt.com/insights/tag/day-in-a-canoe-podcasts) Company - [Approach](https://planningalt.com/approach) - [Services](https://planningalt.com/services) - [About](https://planningalt.com/about) - [Team](https://planningalt.com/our-team) - [Locations](https://planningalt.com/locations) - [Contact](https://planningalt.com/contact) - [Careers](https://planningalt.com/careers) Insights - [Assessments](https://planningalt.com/quiz-assessment-landing-page) - [Podcasts](https://planningalt.com/insights/tag/podcasts) - [Events](https://planningalt.com/events) - [Insights](https://planningalt.com/insights-blog) - [Client Login](https://planningalt.com/client-login) - [Form CRS](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/2025-Client-Relationship-Summary.pdf) - [ADV Part 2A Brochure](https://planningalt.com/hubfs/23129617/2026%20Form%20ADV%20Part%202A%20Rev.%208-7-26.pdf) - Wealth Advisors for Life™ - | - [Terms & Conditions](https://planningalt.com/terms-conditions) - | - [Privacy Policy](https://planningalt.com/privacy-policy) © 2026 Planning Alternatives [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/planning-alternatives/) Return to top ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Planning Alternatives", "url" : "https://planningalt.com/insights/author/planning-alternatives" }, "dateModified" : "2026-08-31T15:39:38.078Z", "datePublished" : "2026-08-31T15:39:38.000Z", "headline" : "Why Misunderstanding Is the Root of Bad Communication with Devlin Fenton of Arch Engineers", "image" : [ "https://planningalt.com/hubfs/PLANALT-banner-1200x672-web-1.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://planningalt.com/insights/why-misunderstanding-is-the-root-of-bad-communication-with-devlin-fenton", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://planningalt.com/hubfs/Logo-dark-1-1.png" }, "name" : "Planning Alternatives" } } ```