Gwynne Shotwell, an accomplished aeronautical engineer, is a great example of a strong business development leader. She quickly transitioned into sales and business development while maintaining her engineering skillset. Shotwell saw a gap in Elon Musk’s SpaceX venture and joined as employee number seven. Taking the role of vice president of business development. Using both her technical and business development abilities to successfully position the space explorer as the industry leader made her an invaluable part of the company. So much so that she was promoted to president and chief operating officer. The argument for having business development integrated into the company leadership could not be stronger.
Three Strategic Lessons
As the President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX, Gwynne Shotwell plays a crucial role in the company’s success. From the launch of the Falcon 1 in 2008 to the successful launch and landing of the Falcon Heavy in 2018, Shotwell has been instrumental in the development and growth of SpaceX.
As a business developer, there are three key takeaways that can be learned from Shotwell and the success of SpaceX. These include:
- The Power of Resilience. Shotwell has been with SpaceX since its early days seeing the company go through its fair share of setbacks and failures. However, she has always been resilient in the face of these challenges. Working with the team to find solutions and move forward. This resilience has been a key factor in SpaceX’s success.
- The Importance of Innovation. Shotwell has been at the forefront of SpaceX’s efforts to develop new technologies and improve upon existing ones. From reusable rockets to the development of the Falcon Heavy, Shotwell has been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the field of space exploration. Of course, this focus on innovation has been a key driver of SpaceX’s success.
- The Value of Strong Leadership. Shotwell is a strong leader at SpaceX, guiding the company through its many challenges. Keeping the team focused on its goals. Inspiring her team and creating a culture of excellence has been a key driver of the company’s success.
Don’t Forget the Technical Skillset
In addition to the qualities above Gwynne Shotwell took time honing her technical skills.
Prior to joining SpaceX, she spent more than 10 years at the Aerospace Corporation. Holding positions in Space Systems Engineering & Technology and Project Management. She was promoted to Chief Engineer of an MLV-class satellite program and managed a landmark study for the FAA on commercial space transportation. Shotwell also completed an extensive analysis of space policy for NASA’s future investment in space transportation.
This combination of skills set Shotwell up for success with the growth and leadership of Space X. Remember, having a strong technical background is a business development boon.
Final Thoughts
I think you’ll agree, Gwynne Shotwell serves as a great example for business developers to learn from. She highlights the power of resilience, the importance of innovation and the value of strong leadership. Having a technical grounding in your industry of choice is also a critical component.
Shotwell’s trajectory from technical specialist to business developer to leader shows the impact that business development skills can have on your career. By emulating these traits, business developers can help their companies achieve success and reach new heights (perhaps even the stars!).
Who do you consider to be an inspirational business development leader?
Gwynne Shotwell
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