Terry Hart talks about leadership: know a little about everything, expert in one area, and mentors.

[Christopher Lusardi]

Making Leaders: Terry Hart, Lehigh University Professor and Former Astronaut - Part 6 of 7

Published: Apr 8, 2020

Publisher: SSPIVideo

Question: What skills and experience should professionals in the industry that are seeking leadership roles be focused on building?

Answer: I think I read Colin Powell's book recently. He had a really interesting point that he made there. He said all his time in the army as he was growing up from a lieutenant to captain, and so forth. He tried to know a little bit about everything going on in the organization. But, he also tried to be the resident expert in one area.

Yeah, I think that's really good advice. 

Otherwise, I try to encourage my kids to look for those mentors. I'll speak some about this today. The importance of mentors for anyone's career. And, I certainly had some wonderful mentors along the way. 

To look into to try to cultivate those relationships when they're young and getting started. It's so valuable.

Link to video

[Christopher Lusardi]

National Space Day with Astronaut Terry Hart
Publisher: PBS39
Published: May 2025

He says the thing that helped get him selected was he had worked at Bell Labs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32VJEA_Pqs4&t=66s

[Christopher Lusardi]

Lehigh AIAA 2015: Terry Hart - NASA Stories from Early Space Shuttle Days
Published: Mar 23, 2015
Publisher: Lehigh University AIAA Seminar Series 2015

He only applied once to be an astronaut and was selected. During his interview, there was a blood test for uric acid which the doctors disqualified him from the selection process because it can cause kidney problems, gout (arthritis) etc. The selection board waived the uric acid test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bmHz8XtxVs&t=140s