<h2>Eileen Collins: Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars</h2> <p>Colonel Eileen M. Collins, USAF (retired), earned a place in history as the first American woman to pilot, and later to command, a space mission. She flew on the space shuttle four times, twice as commander – including the 2005 “return to flight” mission after the tragic Columbia accident. She is the subject of the documentary movie <em>Spacewoman</em> and author of the book <em>Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars: The Story of the First American Woman to Command a Space Mission</em> (<a href="https://amzn.to/4pxBeq2">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/90226/9781950994052">Bookshop</a>)*.</p> <p>We all have times in our careers where all eyes are on us. In this conversation, Eileen and I explore the critical moments of her career and how she stayed grounded while soaring among the stars.</p> <h3>Key Points</h3> <ul> <li>Until we are tested, we don’t know what we are capable of.</li> <li>Nerves creep in at times for all of us. When they do, it’s helpful to think about representing your role instead of representing yourself.</li> <li>When decisions become difficult, always come back to, “What’s the mission?”</li> <li>Train for the skill, not for the task.</li> <li>During high-stakes times, remember your family and personal life. They will help you stay grounded.</li> </ul> <h3>Resources Mentioned</h3> <ul> <li><em>Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars: The Story of the First American Woman to Command a Space Mission</em> by Eileen Collins (<a href="https://amzn.to/4pxBeq2">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/90226/9781950994052">Bookshop</a>)*</li> <li><a href="https://spacewoman.film">Spacewoman documentary</a>, featuring Eileen Collins</li> </ul> <h3>Interview Notes</h3> <p><a href="https://coachingforleaders.com/mp-files/eileen-collins-leading-with-poise-when-the-stakes-are-high.pdf/">Download my interview notes</a> in PDF format (free membership required).</p> <h3>Related Episodes</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://coachingforleaders.com/podcast/lead-retain-high-performers-ruth-gotian/">How to Lead and Retain High Performers, with Ruth Gotian</a> (episode 567)</li> <li><a href="https://coachingforleaders.com/podcast/handle-q-and-a-matt-abrahams/">The Way to Handle Q&amp;A, with Matt Abrahams</a> (episode 681)</li> <li><a href="https://coachingforleaders.com/podcast/how-to-start-the-top-job-scott-keller/">How to Start the Top Job, with Scott Keller</a> (episode 752)</li> </ul> <h3>Discover More</h3> <p><a href="https://coachingforleaders.com/free">Activate your free membership</a> for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside <a href="https://coachingforleaders.com/plus">Coaching for Leaders Plus</a>.</p>