HCI Webinar Recap: What Losing to Musk and Bezos Taught This Aerospace Exec about Real Leadership, with Andy Crocker

In the latest HCI Webinar, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Andy Crocker about what losing to Musk and Bezos taught him about real leadership. Check out the full episode and let us know what you think!

Watch the episode here:

Quick Recap

Andy Crocker, an aerospace executive with 30 years of experience, wrote "The Unconditionals" to document key life and leadership principles for his children and to explore the concept of purpose following a significant moon landing project. The book focuses on timeless, unconditional values such as love, gratitude, integrity, accountability, and endeavor, which Andy believes are essential for personal growth and effective leadership. Through discussions about parenting, leadership challenges, and the importance of collaboration, Andy and Jonathan explored how these universal principles can guide individuals in various roles and situations, emphasizing that while being unselfish might not always result in immediate gain, it often leads to positive relationships and long-term success.

Leadership Principles and Life Purpose

Andy Crocker, an aerospace executive with 30 years of experience, wrote "The Unconditionals" to document key life and leadership principles for his children and to explore the concept of purpose following a significant project competing against SpaceX and Blue Origin for NASA's human landing system. The book emerged from his reflections on leadership and values after completing a 5-year moon landing project, which led him to consider what his next purpose would be and how to convey essential life lessons to his children.

Timeless Values in Daily Life

Andy discussed his book, which focuses on timeless, unconditional values that help navigate various life roles and circumstances. He emphasized the importance of living out these values consistently, regardless of personal gain or external factors. Jonathan shared his personal reflections on parenting and the challenge of instilling values in children, agreeing with Andy's approach of presenting these universal principles in an accessible way. Both speakers highlighted the difficulty of applying these values in everyday life, despite their fundamental nature.

Leadership Values and Unconditional Love

Andy discussed his book's core values of love, gratitude, integrity, accountability, and endeavor, emphasizing their universality and importance in leadership and personal growth. He explained that these values help individuals become their best selves and are relevant across different roles and situations. Jonathan agreed, highlighting the foundational nature of love in leadership and the challenges leaders face in maintaining it amidst organizational pressures. They discussed the importance of unconditional love and empathy in leadership, noting that while these concepts are widely recognized as essential, they are often overlooked in practice.

Values for Better Outcomes

Andy discussed the importance of maintaining respect, kindness, and compassion in all situations, emphasizing that these values lead to better treatment of others and more beneficial outcomes for individuals, teams, and organizations in the long run. He noted that while being unselfish might not always result in getting everything one wants, it often leads to positive relationships and success. Jonathan agreed and suggested continuing the discussion about these values in relation to a specific context, though the transcript ends without further details.

Underdog Advantage in Aerospace

Jonathan and Andy discussed the challenges of competing against major aerospace companies like those led by Bezos and Musk, who are among the world's wealthiest individuals. Andy highlighted the benefits of being an underdog, which allowed their team to focus on creativity and collaboration rather than direct competition. They emphasized the importance of empowering team members and fostering a collaborative environment, which led to valuable lessons in system thinking and interdependence. Jonathan noted the contrast between this approach and that of leaders like Musk, suggesting that while Musk's drive and resources are evident, his lack of emotional intelligence and compassionate leadership might limit his effectiveness.

Success Beyond Achievements

Andy and Jonathan discussed the importance of collaboration and personal fulfillment in achieving goals, emphasizing that success is not solely measured by external achievements but also by personal growth and the value of relationships formed along the way. Andy shared insights from his experiences, highlighting how working on a project, even if it doesn't result in victory, can lead to significant personal development and lasting connections. He also mentioned the "overview effect," where astronauts gain a new perspective on Earth's problems from space, and encouraged viewers to focus on what truly matters in life. Andy invited the audience to connect with him through his website and social media platforms to learn more about his work and book.

Listen to the webinar here: