Clayton Anderson

Hop into the flight suit pocket of US Astronaut, Clayton Anderson, and learn about the journey of this small-town Nebraska boy who spent 167 days living and working in space. Anderson, who was “kicked to the curb” by NASA 14 times before his ultimate selection, went on to become a veteran spacewalker, with nearly 40 hours working in the vacuum of space over 6 spacewalks.

Anderson’s story of humility, perseverance, and hard work gives a unique personal perspective into his life and an openly human look at what it takes to become a successful “steely-eyed astronaut”. Always entertaining and informative, Anderson will challenge attendees to examine how they may apply the same concepts to their everyday work and personal lives.

A two-time Shuttle and ISS Astronaut, logging over 167 days living and working in outer space, Anderson was never named to the coveted slot of Mission Commander. Undaunted by this apparent management oversight, Anderson’s career reflects consistent leadership in all facets of his NASA career. Through the process of pursuing his lifelong dream of preparing to live and work in space, fertile ground is provided for developing and enhancing one’s personal management and leadership style. Through his unique on-orbit perspective, Anderson offers three simple leadership tenets that could prove helpful to you and your organization as you tackle your future successes!

Appearing on his first-ever television game show –the newly-minted 2019 inaugural season of Mental Samurai– Anderson wasn’t sure of what he was truly agreeing to do. Using his performance in the game as a learning experience, Anderson illustrates the coupled needs of preparation and desire with their inherent relationship to success. Using the age-old sports adage that asks “…, how much do you want it?” Anderson clearly illustrates how pairing desire and preparation, can prepare you –or not prepare you—for reaching your intended objective.

As a youngster, Clayton Anderson simply LOVED to read. Cast into the pages of Superman and Batman comic books; or following the serial adventures of the affable would-be sleuths Frank and Joe Hardy; or uncovering clues with the intellectual baseball-pitcher Brains Benton and newspaper carrier James “Jimmy” Carson, Anderson found his dreams could be fueled within the pages of a good book. Now a four-time author, reaching young and old readers alike, audiences will revel in Anderson’s personable story-telling style of how he got there –from a small-town boy, to United States Astronaut, to respected author– injecting humor and passion at every turn.