Space Race CEO
Space Race CEO
How can societal expectations influence leadership roles in male-dominated industries?
Our industry is male-dominated, and I never assumed I would lead the business. The expectation was that it would be passed down through the male line—my father to my brother, and my brother to his son, and so on. I never thought I, as a woman, would be in charge of a heat treating and brazing business. That belief, shaped by societal structures, was a limiting belief in itself. That's where my mindset came from—I simply assumed the business would follow male lineage.
Why is it important to pursue a truly fulfilling career?
As soon as you've embraced who you are, pursue what fulfills you. If you're in a job that doesn't satisfy you and requires you to put on a mask, put all your energy into finding a different path as soon as possible. This is often the scariest part for many people—you might be 20 years into a career, have health insurance through your employer, or need to support young children or a stay-at-home spouse.
But finding something that fulfills you isn’t some unattainable dream; it’s essential to living a happy life, which we only get one shot at. Stop trying to force yourself into a situation that doesn’t fit. That constant friction will wear away at your soul. The sooner you eliminate that friction, the more your happiness will exponentially increase in ways that are hard to describe.
What strategies help business owners take action in challenging situations?
The first step is to recognize the cognitive dissonance. High-functioning, motivated people often respond with excuses like, "I can't do that because of X, Y, Z." Acknowledge that thought—this is the first step. Next, evaluate your locus of control. You can't control everything, but you can control a limited number of variables. Pick one and work on it. When you're facing a major life change, the key is to narrow your focus. Looking at the big picture can feel overwhelming, demotivating, and anxiety-inducing—this is why many people struggle to make changes like losing weight. The initial self-limiting factor is the scope being too large, so recognize that and then narrow your focus.
How can business owners prioritize tasks?
It's difficult to know where to start when it feels like everything needs attention at once. Trying to tackle everything will burn you out before you make progress. Instead, focus on one area. For example, if it's accounting, focus solely on that and let everything else be for six months. Or if it's production, choose one aspect of it.
As the owner, you're likely not going to handle all of this yourself, so it's crucial to have a team member who's identified, compensated, and motivated to take on this task with you. This person needs to be empowered with clear authority, proper compensation, and a clear direction. Create a plan, whether it's for 52 weeks or a month, and give this person the resources and incentives to see it through.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
