What can business leaders learn from space exploration? At our recent Breakfast Serial at Hensol Castle, leaders from across Wales came together to hear from Sue Horne OBE, Head of Space Exploration at the UK Space Agency. Interviewed by Robert Lloyd Griffiths OBE, Sue shared her extraordinary journey – from her beginnings in Sheffield to shaping the UK’s role in global space missions with ESA, NASA and JAXA.
With experience leading UK contributions to missions such as Rosetta, Cassini-Huygens, Mars Express and ExoMars, Sue’s story is full of insights that resonate far beyond science. Recently awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list for her services to space exploration, she offered practical leadership lessons that can inspire any organisation.
4 leadership lessons from space exploration:
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Plan to fail. Rocket launches don’t always succeed. By planning for failure, leaders can turn setbacks into opportunities for learning and innovation, without the devastating consequences.
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Collaboration is non-negotiable. Space missions rely on partnerships between countries, industries and universities – a reminder that the greatest achievements come from understanding your partners and the best way to work together.
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Resilience in the face of setbacks. Exploration is unpredictable. Leaders must be adaptable, resilient, and able to keep moving forward when plans change.
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Invest in people. Developing the next generation of scientists and engineers has been central to Sue’s work. In business too, supporting and growing people is the surest path to long-term success.
The Breakfast Serial at Hensol Castle was more than just a networking event – it was a chance for leaders to connect, hear an extraordinary story, and take away lessons that can shape their own leadership journeys.
If you’d like to be part of future events where extraordinary stories meet everyday leadership, get in touch with us at Call of the Wild, rebecca@callofthewild.co.uk.
Call us: 01639 700 388 | Email us: info@callofthewild.co.uk | Contact us
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