Leading Beyond Limits: Leadership Lessons from NASA’s First Female Space Commander, Eileen Collins
Episode 5
Ever wondered how to lead with confidence when the stakes are sky-high (literally)?
In Episode 5 of The People Success Circle, we sit down with trailblazer Eileen Collins, the first female commander of a NASA space shuttle, to uncover timeless leadership lessons forged in the cockpit and tested in space. If you're a business leader navigating high-pressure decisions, tough calls, or team dynamics, this episode offers powerful insight into leading with resilience, integrity, and clarity.
Tune in or read on to discover the Eileen Collins leadership lessons that will elevate your leadership - no rocket required.
In Episode 5 of The People Success Circle, I walk you through the powerful leadership lessons I learned from my conversation with Eileen Collins, the first female NASA commander
How resilience in leaders is built through failure, focus, and preparation, especially in high-stakes environments like space
Why is clear communication and trust essential when leading under pressure
Eileen’s approach to balancing motherhood with one of the most demanding careers on the planet
What she believes every leader needs to stay sharp and lead with integrity
The surprising role of books and mentors in shaping her success
Why inspiring women leaders benefit from taking care of themselves first
Press play or keep reading to learn how to lead with courage, clarity, and confidence.
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Episode 5: Watch or Listen
Key Takeaways from My Conversation with Eileen Collins
In this episode of The People Success Circle, I had the honor of sitting down with Eileen Collins, the first female NASA commander, to talk about her remarkable journey, and the leadership wisdom she picked up along the way. Here are the most impactful insights from our conversation:
Know Your Mission and Own It
Eileen emphasized that great leaders start by truly knowing their job. Whether you’re leading a shuttle crew or a business team, your expertise builds trust and sets the tone. One of the most powerful leadership lessons she shared: before you can lead others, you must be grounded in your own competence and clarity.
Resilience Isn’t Just a Trait. It’s a Practice
We talked about the realities of failure, setbacks, and self-doubt. What stood out was Eileen’s ability to bounce back not because she never struggled, but because she kept going. She credits her resilience as a leader to strong routines, discipline, and taking care of her physical and mental well-being. This is your reminder that recovery is a key leadership skill.
Empower Your People. Don’t Micromanage Them
Eileen’s leadership evolved from micromanaging to trusting her team. As a space commander, she knew when to step in and when to step back. This is a critical insight for business leaders: give your experienced team members the space to lead in their zones of genius, and offer support where it’s needed most.
Communication + Integrity = Trust
In high-stakes environments like space, trust isn’t optional; it’s essential. Eileen shared how clear communication and unwavering integrity were the cornerstones of her leadership style. As business leaders, we’re not launching shuttles, but we are responsible for creating cultures where people feel safe, heard, and supported.
Inspiring Women Lead with Energy and Intention
As one of the most inspiring women leaders in modern history, Eileen didn’t sugarcoat what it took: high energy, intentional self-care, and staying mentally sharp. For all of us, especially inspiring female business leaders, this is a reminder that sustainable leadership starts with taking care of ourselves first.
Believe in Yourself, and Back It Up with Action
Eileen reminded me that believing in yourself isn’t just a mindset, it’s a habit. It’s built every time you show up, do the hard things, and take the next step. Confidence grows from consistent action, not perfection.
Want more?
Listen to the full episode to hear Eileen’s personal stories from the cockpit and beyond and walk away with timeless leadership insights you can apply right now.
Read the full transcript
Mindy:
Today we have an absolute trailblazer joining us, Eileen Collins. She made history as the first female pilot and commander of a space shuttle, leading groundbreaking missions for NASA. A true leader in both aviation and space exploration, Eileen’s journey is filled with resilience, excellence, and inspiring firsts. So with that, let's dive in.
Eileen, welcome to the podcast today.
Eileen:
It's great to be here. Great to talk with you, and happy to share any of the experiences I’ve had in my career.
Mindy:
I love it. So Eileen, I want to tell the listeners how we first met. From my perspective, one of the first people who greeted me when I moved into my neighborhood in San Antonio was you.
Eileen:
Yeah, you know, sometimes little things in life that are very annoying might lead to something really great.
Mindy:
That’s a great point. And it has led to something great. We love the neighborhood and just having great neighbors. So when I said I have a new podcast, you were so gracious to give your time for my listeners. I’m thrilled to have you here.
Eileen:
Thanks. I'm happy to share.
Mindy:
Would you like to start by telling the listeners about yourself at a high level?
Eileen:
Sure. I joined the Air Force when I was 19 through ROTC. One of the most interesting things was being part of a test program to see if women could fly military aircraft. I was in the first class of women to go through pilot training at my base in Oklahoma—four women among 500 men. It was baptism by fire, but I loved it.
I knew how we performed would impact women for decades to come. So I just focused on being the best pilot I could be. I later became a test pilot and an astronaut, which was always a dream. Not everyone gets their dream job, but I think having goals and trying your best is so important for living a happy life.
Mindy:
What sparked your interest in aviation?
Eileen:
Books. My family had no money for flying lessons. But as a kid, I discovered books about aviation at the library—like Fate Is the Hunter and God Is My Co-Pilot. They opened my eyes to that world. I also lived near a glider field, which fascinated me. And my dad, a WWII Navy vet, may have influenced my interest in service.
Mindy:
I loved learning that in your book. You also talk about attending community college. Can you share more about that?
Eileen:
Yes. Community college was close to home and affordable, and my mom was very sick at the time. I needed to stay nearby to help. I earned an associate degree and grew a lot during those two years. The teachers were amazing—personable, supportive, and great at helping students really learn. It gave me a strong foundation and confidence to move forward.
Mindy:
You were the first female pilot and commander of a NASA space shuttle. What leadership skills helped you break through barriers?
Eileen:
First, knowledge. You have to know your job. I had to understand every shuttle system as a commander. Second, communication—knowing your people, talking to them, being fair. And third, integrity. Be honest, be trustworthy. People need to know they can count on you.
Of course, there are more: listening, humility, passion. But those three—knowledge, communication, and integrity—are essential.
Mindy:
How did leadership differ for you in space versus on the ground?
Eileen:
Before a mission, it's about planning and tough decisions. In space, it's about execution. You trust your team to do their job. If something goes wrong, you collaborate and stay calm. Emergencies require falling back on training. You don't panic—you focus.
Mindy:
That’s powerful. You clearly trusted your crew.
Eileen:
Absolutely. You have to know where people are. Rookies need more support; experienced crew members need space. I used to micromanage, but I matured. I shifted my energy to where it was most needed and let people lead in their areas of strength.
Mindy:
Tell me more about being one of four women in a class of 500 men. How did that shape you?
Eileen:
There were ups and downs. I got opportunities because I was a woman—like an early F-15 ride—but also faced resentment. Some thought I didn't "earn" it. I wanted to be accepted as a good pilot, not a token. At the time, women couldn’t fly fighters operationally. So there were limitations, but also visibility. Everything I did reflected on “all women,” which was a lot of pressure.
Mindy:
What did you have to believe about yourself to keep going?
Eileen:
That I could do it—even when I had doubts. I still have doubts today when facing something new. That’s human. But I also believe in taking care of myself. Confidence grows when you’re physically and mentally strong. Energy matters. I eat right, sleep well, stay active. That helps me keep going, especially after setbacks.
Mindy:
What role have mentors played in your career?
Eileen:
I didn't have formal mentors in the Air Force because there weren’t many women ahead of me. But I had great bosses—men who gave me second chances, talked with me, and cared. My parents were also mentors in their own way, even with their flaws. They talked to me honestly and taught me a lot through their own struggles.
Mindy:
How did you balance motherhood with such a demanding career?
Eileen:
I loved being a mom, and I loved my job. Having that passion gave me the energy to do both. But I had help—a nanny who stayed with us for 13 years. My husband was a pilot and often away, so I needed that support. I also learned to leave work at work, which made me better at both roles. Being a mom taught me about structure, saying no, and having empathy—skills that made me a better commander.
Mindy:
That’s so encouraging. I sometimes feel guilty when I get too focused on work.
Eileen:
Read to your kids. That was a big one for me. I read with them every night, and it became a way to bond and teach life lessons. Even now, I find myself remembering those stories and applying the lessons in my own life.
Mindy:
How do you approach lifelong learning and staying sharp?
Eileen:
I read a lot—especially history and biographies. I learn from how different leaders faced adversity. Right now, I’m also reading about artificial intelligence. It’s changing our world fast, and I think we need to be cautious. AI can help, but it shouldn't replace human decision-making—especially in leadership.
Mindy:
What effect do you think AI will have on leadership?
Eileen:
AI is essentially data and algorithms. It can support decisions, but it shouldn’t make them. We need to be suspicious of AI output and stay involved. Teachers are already using AI checkers for homework. I even had to sign that I didn’t use AI on a reference letter. So yes, it’s here—but we need to lead wisely and not let it lead us.
Mindy:
If you could leave our listeners with one key takeaway, what would it be?
Eileen:
Believe in yourself. It sounds simple, but it’s not. Confidence is tied to taking care of yourself. When I’m tired, I doubt myself. When I’m healthy and rested, I feel stronger. And never stop learning—that’s what keeps us moving forward.
Mindy:
What’s next for you?
Eileen:
I’m focused on speaking, and I try not to overcommit. A filmmaker made a documentary based on my book—Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars—and it’s called Space Woman. It’s doing the film festival circuit right now. I hope it reaches young people and shows what it’s like to follow your dreams and balance it all.
Mindy:
We’ll have to do a neighborhood watch party when it comes out! Thank you so much for sharing your story and time with us today. You’ve been such an inspiration.
Eileen:
Thank you. And thank you for all the work you do to help others navigate their own journeys. It’s hard out there, and it’s important to know we’re not alone.
