Editor’s note:Leroy Chiao, PhD, an astronaut, performance specialist and futurist, will be a keynote speaker at the ISACA Conference North America 2021, a virtual event to take place 4-6 May. Chiao recently visited with ISACA Now to discuss lessons he took from his time as an astronaut, his observations on the latest technology trends and more. The following is a Q&A transcript of the conversation, edited for length and clarity.
ISACA Now: What lessons from your time as an astronaut are most applicable to everyday professionals down here on earth?
Think operationally and keep sight of the big picture. Operational decision-making means to think practically. Prioritize your tasks. What we say in the space business is “work what’s going to kill you first.” It is important to keep the big picture perspective to make sure you are staying on course to accomplish the mission.
ISACA Now: What do you anticipate to be the most consequential technology trends in the next 3-5 years?
There are a number of exciting technologies that are coming close to fruition. One is personalized medicine, where the treatment for certain diseases are custom-tailored to your genetics, for example using your own stem cells. Another area that is gaining momentum is cryptocurrency. Bitcoin was dismissed by almost all traditional financial houses in very derogatory terms just a few years ago. Those same organizations are now jumping in. It’s important to keep an open mind in everything!
ISACA Now: What are the main characteristics you’ve noticed in innovative organizations?
The culture must be set at the top to allow for innovation and risk-taking. That is, people must be allowed to fail and not be punished for taking a risk that doesn’t work out. This of course doesn’t apply everywhere in the company – for example, you don’t want operators taking risk in running a chemical plant by anything other than the established procedures.
ISACA Now: What is the biggest key to combating complacency?
Keep looking for ways that you or your team or others might be slipping into complacency. Continue to question yourself and others around you. Resist simply accepting something that would look crazy to an outsider.
ISACA Now: What might be a dream space mission you would go on if you could go on a future expedition?
I would love to go to the moon! The Apollo 11 mission started my dream of becoming an astronaut when I was 8-years-old.
