Like millions of other Americans, I watched the science channel’s many documentaries of the evolution of the NASA space shuttle program. What a marvelous 30 year project. As the interviews of all the flight directors and astronauts flowed by in each section of the program a very clear picture painted of how much stress and self doubt there was in developing a program from scratch. There was this constant theme in the reports on how they dealt with the stress and emotions involved with placing millions of tons and dollars of equipment and people in space.
In the early 90’s I got to go through some of the basic ‘worst case scenario’ project management training the flight directors and astronauts went through. Some very exciting stuff and educated me on how to deal with stress, confusion and the terror of something going off the chart wrong in a plan. As I watched the Go! No-Go! check list being verbalized by each director of each specific portion of a launch sequence I could not help but think about the one person…the guy at the top of the list…who gave the final GO..or No Go for launch.
All of the other directors had an assistant or two they looked to who confidently provided the information they needed to make a decision on their situation. However, even with dozens of people to turn to, the flight director..they guy on the switch that lit up the engines of over 20 millions pounds of explosives to launch a $1.7 billion shuttle…had No one person to turn to during that process to provide him the confidence needed to flip the switch.
Winning from the Bench
Fortunately, the confidence a flight director gains to make these tough decisions comes from years of training and coaching way before the decision has to be made. This is Business Coaching at its highest level. Most business people have the same level of stress but involving lot less details in making decisions about their business. Nonetheless, business people of companies large and small should gain confidence in making good business decisions from a business coach.
Your business probably is not launching space shuttles, but sometimes it feels like it when the consequences of making a wrong decision weighing heavy over your head. Look for help in building up your strengths in confidence in making those tough decisions. Contact a business coach…it will be the best investment in time you can make.
Scot Duke – Business Coach, Mentor and Consultant
CEO-Innovative Business Golf Solutions, a multifaceted corporation that provides businesses with coaching, mentoring and consulting on business operations and personal development. Target Clients: Small to Large Business owners, executives as well as the entrepreneur and start-up business groups. Target Industry: Strengths are in business operations of all business models which include private clubs and golf businesses.
Mr Duke’s years of experience in social media offers each client insights into how their business can compete in today’s fast moving internet based business operations. Programs and series of coaching sessions can be customized to every clients situation or need. A 30 minute situation evaluation is is available to all qualified clients at no cost.
