Charlie Pellerin and Paul Hawkins - Fireside Chat About the Revamped NASA 4D Program

Charlie Pellerin (Former Director of Astrophysics, NASA) and Paul Hawkins (Chief Combobulator, Crazy Might Work) discuss the origins of the NASA 4-Dimensional Leadership Program and why it has been transformational globally since launching in the late 1990’s. The program has been voluntarily completed by over 1,500 NASA teams, contributing to NASA being named Best Place to Work in US government for the twelfth year in a row (May, 2024). Paul talks about the new program which now incorporates simulations and updates from the current space program, as well as contemporary neuroscientific research, making it a leadership and team development experience like no other.

Leadership Lessons from Frontiers Like Space

The Space Shuttle Challenger and Columbia disasters, along with other failed missions led NASA to rethink how it fostered leadership and culture. Now, Crazy Might Work is using an ultra-modern version of the NASA 4-Dimensional Leadership Program (based on the current space program) to share those learnings with other organisations and leadership teams.

In this special episode recorded at the Australian Space Summit in May 2024, Paul Hawkins talks to host Adam Thorn about the program, it's origins in Antarctica, whether leaders are born or made, and how NASA became the best place to work in federal government for the 12th year in a row. Listen on your preferred platform below.

Shailee Basnet's Lessons for High-Performing Teams

In this inspiring interview, Shailee Basnet, a Nepalese mountaineer and leader, shares her unique experiences climbing Mount Everest and leading the Seven Summits Women Team in that endeavour. She shares the driving purpose behind the team to challenge gender stereotypes and managing team conflict and the importance of shared vision and commitment. She shares how her own purpose has shifted from personal achievements to empowering others. On failure, she shares the moment her team had to turn back from a summit climb and how that was to be celebrated as it prioritised safety. She shares candidly about humour, love, and perspective in overcoming challenges, and offers insights for maintaining emotional and mental resilience. She talks about her recently launched Female Leadership Academy, a project empowering young women in Nepal, and her future plans of using stand-up comedy as a fundraiser for the academy.

The Edge of Organisational Learning

Matthew Elphick, a learning and development expert, shares his journey and insights into the boundaries of learning and development in organizations. He emphasizes the importance of real change in the context of work and the power of coaching in facilitating that change. Matthew discusses the balance between theory and practice in adult learning and the need for organizations to prioritize learning as a strategic agenda. He also explores strategies for evaluating learning programs and the role of personalization in organizational learning. Matthew concludes by discussing the potential of data-driven learning and the lessons we can learn from nature and permaculture principles.

Bridging Leadership and Innovation

Why innovation is a critical leadership capability and what to do about it.
Paul Hawkins is the Chief Combobulator at Crazy Might Work, an award-winning, for-purpose innovation agency - and the first to be launched in Antarctica. He is certified in neuroscience, innovation, and appreciative inquiry through the Neuro-Leadership Institute, Stanford and Case Western Universities respectively and is completing a PhD in Innovation. His research has unlocked the code to how great leaders can create the right culture for innovation to thrive.
In this insightful interview, Paul reveals why innovation pillars are in so many strategic plans and how organisations can support their leaders in delivering on that promise. Paul shares how the right approach, tool and method can make all the difference in how effectively you drive innovation as a leader.

'Ideaflow: The Only Business Metric That Matters'

Jeremy Utley is a world-leading expert in creativity and co-author of Ideaflow. In this interview, he tells us what Ideaflow is, and why it is the only business metric that matters. He is also a director of executive education at Stanford’s d.school and an adjunct professor at Stanford’s School of Engineering.

'From Wollongong to Space'

Meganne Christian is a trailblazer. After obtaining her PhD in Chemical Engineering at Wollongong University, she set out to become Australia’s first female astronaut, competing successfully against 22,500 other candidates for selection as a member of the European Space Agency’s final 17, ‘Class of 2023’. In this podcast, Meganne shares her experiences to date, providing welcome inspiration for students everywhere who aspire to be part of the Artemis or ‘Moon to Mars’ programs.

'Winter In Space'

In this episode, we have Nicola Winter, who is Germany’s second female Air Force Fighter Pilot, who is also set to become Germany’s first female astronaut! She shares with us on her experiences on the astronaut selection process and how her outlook on life (and risk) was challenged when she became a mother. Nicola also shares her thoughts on NASA behaviours like Reality-Based Optimism and other lessons from her time in the Luftwaffe and in astronaut selection processes.

'Befriend Your Fears'

Trailblazer, Dr. Ron Farmer brought cognitive behavioural psychology to Australia and rapidly earned a reputation as a leading behavioural and sex therapist. Then, the unexpected happened – Ron had a nervous breakdown of his own and had to apply all his training as a clinical psychologist to bring himself back from the brink of anxiety and despair. This is the story of his dance with fear, and some of the deep learnings that led him to create free resources for anyone experiencing a similar journey.

'Space Kills Cancer'

Dr. Joshua Chou discovered an intriguing relationship between cancer and space flight. Sparked by a conversation with Stephen Hawking, Dr. Joshua Chou's discovery won him Researcher of the Year in Australia. As co-founder of the International Humans in Space Summit, Dr. Joshua Chou also continues to play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between industry and academia. So, if you are curious about why cancer cells die in space, or why the space industry is for everyone, then this podcast is for you!

'The Nature of Biomimicry'

What is biomimicry and how is it relevant to organisations? In this two-episode series, Lex Amore, Communications Director of The Biomimicry Institute, joins us to explain the science behind biomimicry and how it is changing our ideas about effective design. As someone who has bridged the gap between corporate communications and the natural world, Lex Amore is uniquely able to explain how we can exploit nature's genius and the mind-expanding design principles that have been field-tested over 3.8 billion years.

'Insights on Innovation'

This special single-episode of 'Insights on Innovation' starring Caryn Sandler, Partner and Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer at Gilbert + Tobin. Caryn has recently been awarded with the Most Innovative Change Maker at the Financial Times Most Innovated Lawyer Awards 2022. Caryn also has one innovative year in various Lawyers Weekly awards, including 2019, 2020 and 2021. In addition, Gilbert + Tobin has been the most innovative firm for the fourth year in a row at the Australian Financial Review Client Choice Awards and the winner of the Excellence and Technology and Innovation Award at the Australian Law Awards.

'How NASA Builds Teams'

Charlie Pellerin is the author of ‘How NASA Builds Teams’ and former Director of NASA’s Astrophysics Division. He launched and then repaired the Hubble telescope which has given humanity an eye on the universe that previous generations would never have dreamed possible. NASA awarded him a very unusual 2nd Outstanding Leadership Medal and he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, which is only awarded “when the contribution is so extraordinary that other forms of recognition would be inadequate”. He received “Presidential Rank” awards from Ronald Regan and from Bill Clinton for “sustained superior accomplishment. In this series, Charlie talks about the 4-Dimensional teams program that he developed to turn the culture around at NASA.