Norman Augustine, retired chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin Corporation, posed that question to ComSci Fellows when he met with them in May.  Augustine covered a broad range of topics that spanned a career filled with achievement in the public and private sectors and community service.

 

From a teacher that motivated him, to the unusual way he chose his major while at Princeton, to his move up the corporate ladder, Augustine's talk was open and engaging as he took frequent questions from the Fellows.

 

He advised that one should not force a career path but rather be prepared to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves.  He talked about the need for science to have a better voice in politics and discussed the 2007 report "Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future." Augustine chaired the committee that authored the report, and he spoke of the challenges the United States faces in its K-12 education system, particularly in math and science, coupled with a need for more K-12 teachers that can excite students in those subject areas. 

 

Augustine also talked about the qualities and characteristics of leadership.  Cited among the ones he most admires are a strong moral compass (integrity), selflessness, and energy.