The outside-in perspective: Business insights from a NASA astronaut

Inspiration and ideas from an unlikely planetary source.

Many businesses and industries will experience notable outside-in changes in the coming decades as we navigate the energy transition, climate change, geopolitical uncertainty, artificial intelligence, and more, at a pace and scale we can only imagine. Gaining ideas, inspiration, and perspectives from the outside in is always valuable in the learning process. In that spirit, hosting an interview with Colonel Ron Garan was an immense honour. An individual whose career has not only traversed the skies but has also left an indelible mark on humanity. Ron is a decorated NASA astronaut, fighter pilot, test pilot, humanitarian, pioneering social entrepreneur, and the CEO of iSpace, a lunar exploration company with a vision to extend human presence in outer space.

Having spent an impressive 178 days in space, Ron has orbited our planet 2,842 times, travelling more than 71 million miles. His experiences on the U.S. space shuttle and the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, along with his four spacewalks and deep-sea exploration in the Aquarius lab, have given him a unique view of our world — a view he passionately refers to as the "orbital perspective.”

The Orbital perspective is about looking skyward, earthward, and forward.

This "outside-in," as I like to call it, or "orbital perspective," in Ron's words, is built on three key ideas. First, we need to look skyward. If nations can unite to build the International Space Station, the most complex structure ever assembled in space, think of what we could achieve by working together to address the challenges we face on Earth. Second, we need to look earthward. Viewing our planet from space reminds us that we are all passengers on this shared journey through the universe aboard the spaceship we call Earth. We are all in this together, and as Ron once said, "I was hit with the realization that this delicate layer of atmosphere is all that protects every living thing on Earth from perishing in the harshness of space." Finally, we must look forward. We live in a world where the only limits are our imagination and our will to act. We do not have to accept the current state of our planet—it is possible to eliminate suffering and conflict because nothing is impossible.

The seven keys to a brighter future on Earth require bold vision and action.

Ron explains that, "We are not from the earth—we are of the earth," and through his orbital perspective, he sees seven keys to a brighter future, which I think offer us clues when tackling "wicked problems." These keys are as follows:

1.      Dolly zoom out – What do we really mean by "planetary"? Why use "planetary" instead of "global"? After all, we do not live on a globe; "global" refers more to our networks—financial, digital, and otherwise—abstract lines drawn over a sphere. Our economy is just one part of society, and society is just a piece of the larger biosphere. In other words, our global economy depends entirely on the biosphere, not vice versa. Ron shares how "we need to zoom out to the big picture of the planet while also thinking keeping the people on the ground in focus."

2.      Evaluate the realities of our opportunities – Our political, business, and cultural systems are obsessed with growing the economy at any cost. They treat everything, even the planet's life support systems as if they exist to serve the economy. But when you look at things from space, it is clear that this thinking is flawed. Our society depends on the planet, and the economy depends on society. So, sustainability is not some ideology or eco-philosophy; it is just the reality of how things work. We need to shift our thinking accordingly.

3.      Unify – we are all in this together – No single organization, country, or group can bring about the vast changes we need for our civilization's future. It will take all of us, our ideas, creativity, and efforts. We have to include everyone in this global conversation. Every one of the more than nine billion minds on this planet has something to offer, and by connecting everyone, primarily through the internet, we will discover solutions from unexpected places. Ron said, "After mutual respect and understanding are achieved, it is possible to establish real, sincere relationships, which is the foundation of a solid long-term collaboration."

4.      Take action – Great ideas alone do not change the world; action does. Hard work and commitment are essential, but sometimes, we must step outside our comfort zones and look at things from new angles. The real breakthroughs come from people and organizations willing to embrace new, innovative ideas and partnerships, working across industries, borders, and boundaries. That is when actual, positive, and even disruptive progress happens. As Ron previously explained, "We are limited only by our imagination and our will to act."

5.      Set aside fear and embrace awe and wonder – Related to a specific mission, Ron explains, "I lay on my back, surprised at how calm and focused I felt, strapped to four and a half million pounds of explosives." We are usually motivated by one of two things: fear or awe and wonder. Fear divides us, closes us off, and stops us from connecting with others who might hold the solutions we need. But awe and wonder open us up to new ideas and inspire cooperation, bringing us together to solve the challenges we all face.

6.      Choose a new guidepost for action – Right now, a two-dimensional map of countries, corporations, NGOs, and political parties shape our worldview, all competing over resources and ideas. But when you look at Earth from space, it is evident that this map is not real. From that perspective, we see that we are all one species, travelling together on one planet toward a shared future. We cannot keep using this outdated map to guide our actions. Instead, we need to adopt the view of Earth from space as our guide, rooted in reality. For humanity to move forward, we need to build a future based on three core principles: interdependence, long-term thinking, and deep collaboration, all grounded in empathy and compassion.

7.      Broaden our definition of home – How we define "home" profoundly shapes how we solve problems, treat the planet, and treat each other. Broadening our idea of home does not mean letting go of our roots, national identities, or affiliations. It just means seeing them in the context of a much larger picture.

What insights can space exploration offer us about navigating business change?

As I reflect on various business challenges, I cannot help but draw on some of Ron's experience in space in helping me think about leadership, risk, complex decision-making, strategic collaboration and the human potential to create and innovate to solve some of our most complex business-related problems. Space travel simply offers profound lessons and perspectives for us to consider as we embark on change, disruption, and transformation from the outside in. If I unpack it further, it comes down to:

·         Leadership – Ron said well that "at its core, leadership is the ability to notice that you are part of something bigger than yourself." Business change requires courageous leadership, and there is nothing more significant than getting to net zero, deploying responsible A.I. or resolving geopolitical tensions. In space, visionary leadership often drives lofty missions, whether sending humans to the Moon or Mars. Leaders must inspire to push boundaries, motivating them to achieve what seems impossible. Leaders must also remain composed in high-stakes situations, modelling calm and clarity in the face of unexpected challenges. This ability is crucial in crisis management and decision-making, fostering confidence among team members. Effective leaders in space must also empower diverse, specialized teams, trusting experts in various domains to make crucial decisions. This trust, built on competence and collaboration, helps manage complex tasks and achieve ambitious goals.

·         Risk management – Business is fraught with risk. Space travel is the same and inherently risky. In the context of risk management Ron argues, "NASA does this and spends a lot of time and resources anticipating what could go wrong." This approach translates into business, which requires high-stakes decision-making—balancing potential rewards with understanding and preparing for risks. Space programs often experience failures, which are viewed as critical learning opportunities. The explosion of early rockets or even tragedies like the Challenger disaster have led to reforms, better safety measures, and protocols that minimize future risks. As I explain in my book Outside In, Inside Out the same risk management approach can be applied to businesses that thrive on innovation but must also learn from setbacks.

·         Complex decision-making - There are some extraordinarily complex decisions related to managing change in business. In space, astronauts, mission controllers, and engineers base decisions on vast amounts of data. The ability to interpret and act on this data in real-time while accounting for immediate and long-term goals teaches organizations the importance of harnessing technology and analytics to make informed decisions. Space travel also teaches us to handle ambiguity and make critical decisions without all the information. There is no room for delay in an environment like space, so leaders must evaluate trade-offs quickly and decisively. This is a valuable business lesson in a world that is rapidly changing.

·         Partnership - Space missions, particularly those involving the International Space Station (ISS), are built on collaboration between countries like the U.S., Russia, Japan, and Europe. This highlights the importance of cross-cultural partnerships, shared goals, and pooling resources for mutual benefit, even in competitive fields. Ron shares, "If we adopt the same collaborative mindset and practices that got to the moon and back and that built the International Space Station, we can do much more." The success of space ventures, especially with the rise of companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin, demonstrates the power of collaboration between government agencies and private entities. This is incredibly relevant to the boardroom, requiring such partnerships to drive successful outcomes.

·         Human potential – Ongoing business success will require immense innovation, with humans at the center. Space exploration stretches the limits of human endurance, ingenuity, and adaptability. It forces us to think beyond current capabilities, encouraging technological, medical, and psychological breakthroughs. Astronauts live in isolated, confined, and high-stress environments for extended periods, teaching resilience and adaptability. The mental and physical preparation they undergo is a testament to human potential when faced with extreme challenges. Space exploration has always driven technological advancement. Technologies developed for space missions often find applications in everyday life, from telecommunications to medical devices. This underscores how striving for seemingly unreachable goals can bring widespread benefits in space and business alike.

Space travel teaches us to embrace challenges, prepare meticulously, collaborate widely, and push the boundaries of human ability. In leadership, risk management, decision-making, partnership, and unlocking human potential, the lessons from space exploration offer profound outside-in insights into how we can adapt to our earthbound business challenges.

By Dr. Lance Mortlock – Author of Outside In, Inside Out – Unleashing the Power of Business Strategy in Times of Market Uncertainty, EY Canada Managing Partner Industrials & Energy, Strategist & Adjunct Associate Professor