Leadership Launchpad – Team Development, & Performance Improvement for Aerospace & Technology Managers

In this episode, Matt focuses on effective goal setting for managers and their teams. He addresses common areas of confusion, including the difference between milestone goals and daily activity goals, the role of personal goals within organizations, and the importance of considering interdependencies when creating goals. Listeners will hear practical advice on balancing different types of goals, aligning personal development with c...

In this episode, attorneys John Gordon and Shawn Cheadle from Taft’s Aerospace and Defense practice group join the show to discuss the essential role of compliance for leaders in the aerospace and defense sectors. They break down the unique challenges that small and large companies face, such as building compliance frameworks from scratch, handling government contracts, navigating export regulations, and complying with OSHA require...

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, Dan Ceperley, co-founder and COO of LeoLabs, discusses the importance of focus and time management for startups. He explains how LeoLabs, a company that tracks objects in low Earth orbit, has rapidly built a global network of radar stations since its inception in 2016. Dan shares insights into the necessity of prioritization, especially in the fast-paced environment of a startup where time i...

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, guest David Hirschfeld, a seasoned software development veteran, discusses the role of systems and protocols in building exceptional teams. Drawing from his extensive experience and his work at Techies, Hirschfeld sheds light on the importance of focusing on the root problems faced by customers rather than becoming consumed by product features. The conversation delves into AI’s evolving role...

In this crossover episode of Leadership Launchpad, we are sharing an episode of the VHTB podcast with Brian Mejeur and Justus Killian to talk about the transition engineers face when moving into management roles. The discussion highlights the lack of resources and guidance for engineers aspiring to become managers, contrasting it with the abundance of material for business professionals. Key points of the conversation include the s...

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, guest Paul Day, co-founder and VP of Engineering at Muon Space, discusses the transition from top-level individual contributors to people managers. He emphasizes the importance of trust, empowerment, and a concept he terms "organizational EQ" in managing technical teams. Paul shares insights into the challenges engineers face when moving into management roles, such as overcoming the need for...

In this episode of the Leadership Launchpad, guest Brian Manning, co-founder and CEO of Xona Space Systems, discusses the complexities and strategies of effective leadership, particularly in technical fields. Brian shares insights from his diverse experiences, transitioning from an individual contributor to a people leader, and highlights the importance of trust and delegation in leadership roles. He also explores the intricacies o...

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, the focus is on increasing team productivity by creating urgency. The episode discusses the Eisenhower decision matrix, which categorizes tasks by importance and urgency, and how it can help manage time more effectively. It addresses the challenge many face of spending too much time on urgent but not necessarily important tasks. It introduces the concept of setting tighter timelines to make ...

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, guest Omar Halabieh, Director of Technology for Amazon Payment Services, shares insights from his leadership journey with over 20 years of experience in the tech industry. The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by new people managers, covering topics like delegation, relationship management, and building trust. Omar reflects on his first role as a people manager in an energy com...

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, Matt discusses techniques to accelerate team development by bypassing the often lengthy process of forming, storming, norming, and performing stages. Introducing the concept of a personal user manual, the host explains how it can help teams quickly understand individual working preferences, thereby speeding up the transition to high performance. Drawing from experiences at SpaceX and other f...

In this episode of the Leadership Launchpad, the guest, Jeremy Ostrowski, Director of Change Management at Border States, discusses the nuances of managing change within an organization. Jeremy shares insights on how change impacts various levels of a business and highlights the importance of tailored communication strategies. He introduces the ADKAR model of change management—Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcemen...

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, guest Rhet Turnbull, a senior solutions architect at Leidos with extensive experience in military operations, and program management, discusses strategies for enacting change within large organizations. Reflecting on his career from the Air Force Academy to leading within Space Systems Command, Turnbull emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s blind spots, fostering organizational tr...

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, Jesse Klekamp, a recruiting and people leader at K2 Space, shares her extensive experience in recruiting for specialized roles, particularly in the space industry. She discusses the importance of collaboration between hiring managers and recruiters, stressing that recruiting should be a cooperative process rather than a mere service transaction. Jesse emphasizes the need for clear role defin...

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, we explore one of the most common pitfalls for new managers: the pacesetting leadership style. Drawing from Daniel Goleman's six leadership styles, the discussion highlights the strengths and severe downsides of consistently using a pacesetting approach. The episode delves into why many technical managers and strong individual contributors fall into this trap, emphasizing how it can lead to ...

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, our guest is Laura Crabtree, co-founder and CEO of Epsilon 3. Laura shares her journey from being a critical member of SpaceX's Dragon program to starting her own company. She discusses the transition from individual contributor to people manager, emphasizing the importance of communication, setting boundaries, and maintaining productivity. Laura also highlights the value of training and pre...

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, guest Dan CaJacob discusses the significance of effective communication between team leaders across different fields, especially in technical domains. Drawing from over 20 years in the space industry, including work on FalconSat 3 and with Space Quest, Dan shares insights on the dual roles of technical contribution and management. He reflects on his journey from an individual contributor to ...

Does your organization struggle with aligning and engaging employees amidst complex challenges? Join us for this discussion with Casey Thomas, VP of Global Learning, Development, and Performance at Seagate Technologies, to explore how effective leadership can cut through the noise. Discover the power of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) to align individual contributions with corporate goals and foster a strong company culture. We d...

For the final episode of 2024, we have a special topic and a special guest. After talking to hundreds of leaders at dozens of companies, today I give you the biggest leadership lesson I learned this year. Listen in to learn how you can be more focused and effective in your own work and as a manager.

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Welcome to the Leadership Launchpad! In this episode, I sit down with Bill Tierney, the Vice President of Customer Experience and Digital Experience at Southwest Airlines. We dive into the evolution of leadership skills, the power of communication, and bridging the gap between headquarters and frontline employees. Bill shares his journey at Southwest, revealing the intricacies of using data to drive actionable decisions and emphasi...