Larry Connor: the preparation behind an ambitious adventure
Richard asked Larry Connor how his outdoor and space activities related to his business life. Connor answered with preparation, organizational strength and a requirement that an undertaking be both safe and successful.
The visible event and the preparation
Connor described months of full-time training before a space mission. He recalled struggling initially with the technical language. The achievement in his account included learning unfamiliar material long before the public event.
An organization that can keep working
Connor also connected time away to the team, plans and processes in the business. Richard had asked about both personal activities and business success. The answer connected the two through preparation and an organization capable of operating while its founder pursued a demanding undertaking.
In Richard's words
"how those personal activities have informed the business" (Richard C. Wilson, recorded library conversation)
How to use this
- Include preparation time when describing the scope of an ambitious project.
- Identify the decisions a team must be able to make while the founder is away.
Questions and answers
What standard did Connor name?
Whether an undertaking could be done safely and successfully.
What did he say people missed about the space mission?
The extensive full-time training before the mission itself.