Passion and Discipline

“Passion starts the journey and discipline guides around the curves.”
–Kate Nasser

You remember the story of the trapped Chilean miners from last year?

Earlier this summer i saw a video clip of an interview conducted by Michael Useem, Director for the Center for Leadership and Change Management at the University of Pennsylvania (and author of a number of books such as Leading Up, which I happen to have on my bookshelf), with Laurence Golborne, a Chilean civil engineer, entrepreneur, and Chile’s Mining Minister.  What I found fascinating about the interview is the simplicity with which Golborne spoke about leading a team of specialists to conduct the rescue.  In particular, I noted several key attributes he mentioned concerning leadership:

SLS and Transactional Change

“Life is all about timing… the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable… attainable. Have the patience, wait it out It’s all about timing.”
–Stacey Charter 

After several months of waiting, the Space Launch System was unveiled last week.  The Space Launch System, or SLS, will be designed to carry the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, as well as important cargo, equipment and science experiments to Earth’s orbit and destinations beyond.  NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden said, “This launch system will create good-paying American jobs, ensure continued U.S. leadership in space, and inspire millions around the world.”

I’ve watched the unfolding of the SLS saga through the leadership lens I’ve been grinding over the last few years.  On one hand, I’m more than ready to do my part to push the boundaries of human exploration of space to new destinations.  However, it is not without some reservation that I view the current situation.  Here’s why.