A Road Less Traveled Podcast · Hilary Haron

Diversity in Aerospace: Dr. Michaelyn Thomas | A Road Less Traveled Podcast

·46 min·3 clips

Thomas says, 'if I'm the smartest person in the room, I'm in the wrong room.'

Hilary opens with a light joke about interviewing a rocket scientist, and Dr. Michaelin Thomas answers by calling herself a huge space nerd. She says she knew from a very young age that she wanted to work in the space industry. At first, she was not sure whether that would mean becoming an astronaut or building the systems that go to space. Her path led to space systems engineering. She explains that her background is in satellite systems and rocket systems, including navigational satellites people use on Earth, communications work, and the vehicles that carry those systems into space. From there, the conversation moves away from the title and into what the job actually feels like. She talks about working in a male-dominated environment and about learning how to fit in without forcing it. One practical move was learning golf so she could spend time with teammates outside the office and build relationships in a more natural way. She says that helped her understand her colleagues better and supported stronger team dynamics. The discussion then turns to leadership. Thomas says that, no matter where someone is in their career, it matters to get to know the team. She treats that as a universal leadership habit and says she tries to use best practices that work across different demographics. The episode also touches on regular one-on-ones, which she values not just for task lists but for checking in on how people are doing. Personality tests come up as another tool she has found useful. Even then, she keeps coming back to straightforward communication as the thing she values most. By the end, the episode has moved from rockets and satellites into trust, vulnerability, and the everyday work of leading well.

As heard by us

A warm space-industry conversation that turns leadership into something practical.

The conversation tracks a space systems engineer who knew early on that she wanted to work in the space industry. It moves through satellite systems, rocket systems, and the vehicles that carry them into space, while the host keeps the tone loose enough for the practical lessons…

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Why you'd press play

Hear how a space systems engineer thinks through trust, leadership, and fitting in across aerospace.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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