Rocket scientists get popular credit for developing
space vehicles and sending humans to the moon. But most of the rocket science
had been done by the time Wernher von Braun lofted the first V1 toward London.
What got us to the moon was rocket engineering.

That’s what being a boss is like. Theories are great, but you have a job to
do with whatever you’ve got available at the time. That’s engineering, not
science.

Being a boss is complicated. There are a lot of moving parts. You may know
how to make each one work, but actually doing it is hard.

Being a boss is complex, too. You work in a system and what you do in one
part affects what happens in other parts, often to your surprise.

Being a boss is dynamic. Every day, every situation is different. Waiting for
all the facts is usually a recipe for failure.

Being a boss is important. What you do affects your company results and the
lives of everyone on your team.

Boss’s Bottom Line

Here’s a quote from Randy Pausch that applies just as well to being a
boss.

“Engineering isn’t about perfect solutions; it’s about doing the best you can
with limited resources.”