NASA’s Science Head on Leading Space Missions with Risk of Spectacular Failure

NASA’s Science Head on Leading Space Missions with Risk of Spectacular Failure

Author: Harvard Business Review October 18, 2022 Duration: 29:30
In 2021, the U.S. space agency NASA launched a spacecraft toward a pair of asteroids more than 11 million kilometers away. The target? The smaller of the two asteroids, just 170 meters wide. The success of the $300 million, seven-year project demanded careful coordination of scientists, engineers, and project managers across different national space agencies. It also required strong leadership from NASA's head of science, Thomas Zurbuchen. He shares his path to an executive role at NASA, his management philosophies, and how he oversees trailblazing space missions with high risk of failure.

Each week, the HBR IdeaCast from Harvard Business Review sits down with experts whose ideas are shaping the world of work. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a conversation focused on practical insights for leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs navigating real challenges. You'll hear from scholars, CEOs, and innovators dissecting topics across management, marketing, and organizational strategy, translating complex research into actionable advice. The discussions get into the nuances of building effective teams, driving growth, making strategic decisions, and understanding the forces transforming industries. By tuning into this podcast, you gain access to the forefront of business thinking, a resource for anyone looking to sharpen their skills and lead more effectively. The consistent, in-depth dialogue provides a valuable perspective that goes beyond headlines, offering a deeper understanding of how to succeed in a competitive landscape. It's a direct line to the ideas that matter, presented through thoughtful conversation designed to provoke reflection and inspire change in your own professional approach.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

HBR IdeaCast
Podcast Episodes
Why Some Start-Ups Fail to Scale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:13
Managing rapid growth is a huge challenge for young businesses. Even start-ups with glowing reviews and skyrocketing sales can fail. That’s because new ventures and corporate initiatives alike have to sustain profitabili…
You’ve Made Some DEI Progress. Don’t Stop Now [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:42
Over the past few years, organizations around the world have invested in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives with varying results. But to achieve lasting change, they'll need to commit to that work for much long…
The Growing “Do Good” Economy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:29
From corporate social responsibility to ESG to “doing well by doing good,” an increasing number of organizations are pursuing positive social impact, and it’s not just nonprofits and government agencies. But incorporatin…
Let’s Protect Our Frontline Workers from Rude Customers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:49
From videos of drunk and disorderly airline passengers to stories of hospital visitors angrily refusing to wear masks, customer-facing work seems to have gotten a lot more difficult – even dangerous -- over the past few…
What We Still Misunderstand About Mentorship and Sponsorship [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:42
Companies offer sponsorship programs to help a more diverse group of high performers and future leaders advance. But the efforts can often misfire. Herminia Ibarra, professor at London Business School, says that’s becaus…
Grit Is Good. But Quitting Can Be, Too. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:42
From politics to sports to business, we tend to glorify those who persevere, show grit, never give up. But former professional poker player and consultant Annie Duke argues that there is also great value in quitting — wh…
How Women (and Everyone) Can Form Deeper Bonds to Fight Bias at Work [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:09
The number of women—especially women of color—in leadership ranks at the world’s largest companies remains desperately small. Tina Opie, associate professor of management at Babson College, offers a new practice for wome…
4 Business Ideas That Changed the World: Emotional Intelligence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:20
In the early 1990s, publishers told science journalist Daniel Goleman not to use the word “emotion” in a business book. The popular conception was that emotions had little role in the workplace. When HBR was founded in O…
4 Business Ideas That Changed the World: Shareholder Value [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:46
The idea that maximizing shareholder value takes legal and practical precedence above all else first came to prominence in the 1970s. The person who arguably did the most to advance the idea was the business school profe…