Lessons learned and easily forgotten

Abstract

The author has had the privilege of leading a number of important and challenging spacecraft development projects in his long professional career. At the request of the organizers of the 19th International Conference on Reliable Software Technologies, this short paper summarizes some lessons learned on the exercise of leadership. This paper is more like a retrospective reflection on a vast personal experience than a scientific essay on the art of project and team management. In the hope that this contribution can benefit others, these personal reflections are offered first to the community that keeps this conference series alive and kicking, and then to those who consult the conference proceedings, who - I have learned - are not a small number. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.