Optimizing Luck: What the Passion to Succeed in Space Can Teach Business Leaders on Earth - Hardcover

Thomas Meylan; Terry Teays

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 089106222X ISBN 13: 9780891062226

Publisher: UNKNO, 2007

Synopsis

Whether you're running a modern business or a spacecraft mission, the keys to success are the same: expect the unexpected, be prepared for any possible disruption to plan, and create a culture that turns even the biggest challenge into an opportunity for competitive success. Optimizing Luck tells the story of one 20-year NASA project that, by any measure, illustrates just such a business model for capitalizing on every potential advantage that comes your way.Charged with running science operations for NASA, Meylan and Teays played an integral part in one of the most successful and longest-lasting astronomy satellite projects in NASA's history. Here, these scientists-turned-managers share how passionate dedication to quality, customer service, and the ideal of success helped a team of ordinary workers achieve sustained growth, market penetration, customer satisfaction, and production efficiency to become the employer of choice within the industry. From hiring and delegation to communication and rewards, Optimizing Luck lays out best practices for developing luck-optimizing competencies across the entire workforce. For leaders and managers in any business, this in-depth profile offers powerful lessons on what it takes to succeed, regardless of changing circumstances, competitive interference, breakdowns in process, and more than the occasional human failing.ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorsIntroductionPart One: The Groundwork1 The Success of the International Ultraviolet Explorer Project2 Luck-Optimizing Systems3 Fault-Tolerant Systems4 LeadershipPart Two: The Practices5 Hiring6 Delegation7 Adaptability8 Running Lean9 Communication10 Rewards and SuccessPart Three: The Culture11 Theory of the Luck-Optimizing Culture12 Creation of the Luck-Optimizing CultureIndex

About this title

About the Author

Thomas Meylan, PhD PhD is president of Digital Clones, Inc., and author of EvolvingSuccessr books, articles, and audio programs in business leadership. He served as director of the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) Data Analysis Center, earning the NASA Group Achievement Award. Terry Teays, PhD president of Teays Consulting, Inc., and assistant director of the Maryland Space Grant Consortium at Johns Hopkins University, is an independent evaluator of science education products and programs who has served on more than 30 NASA peer review panels. As supervisor of telescope operations on the IUE project, he was recognized with the NASA Group Achievement Award.

From the Back Cover

When opportunity knocks, exploit your luck for business success.

Despite setbacks, big winners in business know how to find the advantage in adversity and have the skills and flexibility to capitalize on every bit of luck that comes their way. This compelling story of a nineteen-year NASA satellite project offers up powerful and practical lessons for leaders and managers in any business. Here you can learn how to establish and reinforce luck-optimizing and fault-tolerant habits for dealing with direct reports, with peers and teammates, and across your organization to help turn chaos into creative capital and thrive no matter what the world does to throw you off course.

"A strong organization is one that can tap the widest possible talent pool. Meylan and Teays present excellent strategies to nurture women and men as creative leaders, so that the workplace of the future does not mirror that of the past."
Donna J. Dean, PhD, national president, Association for Women in Science

"Covers the basics of people and systems management and leadership in an easy-to-read style. There's something here for everyone, from the first-time manager to the experienced entrepreneur/leader."
John L. Eckenrode, president & founder, CPSI Corporate Professional Services, Inc.

"One of the most outstanding books on people, leadership, management, and making things happen in an uncertain global and competitive environment. There are nuggets in each chapter with incisive observations, suggestions, and recommendations."
Sanjeev N. Kulkarni, CEO & principal architect, Advent Software Ltd.

From the Inside Flap

Disasters happen. Stock markets take unanticipated nosedives. Governments and foundations cut off funding. Whether you are running a modern business or a spacecraft mission, the key to success is being able to expect the unexpected and ready to deal with any possible disruption to plan. OPTIMIZING LUCK provides tools and techniques for creating a corporate culture that nurtures a collective pride in delivering stellar customer service, best-in-class performance, record-breaking productivity, outstanding operational efficiency, and exemplary competitive advantage--regardless of what may stand in the way.

Charged with running American Science Operations for the International Ultraviolet Explorer project, Thomas Meylan and Terry Teays played an integral part in one of the world's most successful and longest-lasting astronomy satellite projects. In this in-depth business profile, these scientists-turned-managers offer a first-person yet analytical approach to understanding what it takes to truly succeed in business regardless of changing circumstances, competitive interference, breakdowns in processes, and more than the occasional human failing. OPTIMIZING LUCK lays out specific competencies and best practices--from hiring and delegation to communication and rewards--needed to capitalize on every potential advantage and turn even the most challenging business disaster into an opportunity for success.

Edition details

• Publisher: UNKNO
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 089106222X
• ISBN 13: 9780891062226
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 192