Chris Hadfield’s book, An Astronaut’s Guide to Living On Earth is full of fascinating stories and tips for success, all told with self-deprecating humour. Business owners would benefit to emulate Chris Hadfield. He attributes his success to hard work and persistence. What shines through is his humility and respect, even though he has achieved incredible success and experienced events that most of us only dream about.
I expect that respect is one of the reasons he has done so well. Hadfield took nothing for granted. He never presumed that he was the star who deserved to get the opportunities. Instead, he worked hard for every one.
Emulate Chris Hadfield
He had respect for the technology and science. As a fighter jet pilot he understood how a multimillion-dollar mechanical device in the hands of a well-trained human could do ‘the impossible’. He also knew how quickly things could go wrong. Once, as a result of a mechanical problem, he lost consciousness for 16 seconds – a lifetime if you’re travelling at 470 mph! His job, as a test pilot, was to make flying safer so he helped ensure that wouldn’t happen to anyone else.
He had respect for the career. He decided when he was nine years old to become an astronaut and from that point on, when faced with decisions, he would ask himself, what decision would an astronaut make? Vegetables or chips? University or military college?
Hadfield had respect for the taxpayers. He understood that they had invested millions into his education and training, so committed to repay their trust with success.
There was respect for his fellow astronauts and cosmonauts and he speaks glowingly of his colleagues and the pioneers who had paved the way for him.
Hadfield had respect for danger although he did lose a number of friends and colleagues to accidents. It motivated him to be meticulous in his role as test pilot to make planes as safe as they could be. He was constantly on the lookout for the next thing that could kill him. He had a rule, “Always sweat the small stuff.” It was the small stuff that could be deadly if left unattended.
Business Owners Could Learn A Lot
There are parallels that one can draw in business:
- Respect your position because you carry responsibility for the livelihoods of your employees, without whom you could not possibly succeed.
- Respect your customers since they pay your wages.
- Respect your suppliers – hard-working entrepreneurs like you. They deserve to be paid on time and in full.
- Respect the brutal realities of business by taking nothing for granted. A false move or word, or indecision can kill your business in a heartbeat. Donald Sterling, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers learned the lesson of disrespect.
- Respect yourself. Take care of your health. Appreciate the special skills you bring to the job because if you don’t respect yourself, no one else will.
- Respect your family. Their support and encouragement motivates you to be your best.
Because of his considerable respect for others, Chris Hadfield has become one of the most respected astronauts of his time. A modern Canadian hero!
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