Leadership Lessons from Space: Insights from Laura Winterling at Vertex Exchange Europe

At this year’s Vertex Exchange Europe in Prague, attendees were treated to an inspiring keynote by Laura Winterling—a former European Space Agency astronaut trainer, accomplished physicist, and helicopter pilot—who shared powerful lessons drawn from her extraordinary experiences in space exploration.

Vertex Exchange is our premier annual customer and partner event that brings together thought leaders, professionals, and innovators from the tax technology and compliance sectors to explore trends, share knowledge, and foster collaboration on shaping the future of the industry. The event is held in two editions—one in Europe and one in North America—offering regionally tailored experiences while maintaining a global perspective.

Laura’s keynote, titled “Lessons from Space,” captivated the audience with insights drawn from her decade of experience training astronauts for high-stakes missions.

Through stories that reached beyond Earth’s boundaries, Laura offered invaluable perspectives on resilience, decision-making, and the spirit of teamwork. Her insights resonated not only with those fascinated by outer space but also with anyone striving for personal and professional growth.

Here are some key takeaways:

1. Build a Threshold for Pain and Patience: In the challenging environment of space, astronauts must develop a high tolerance for discomfort and patience. This principle is equally important in our personal and professional lives. By building resilience, we can better navigate obstacles and achieve our goals.
2. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others: Laura emphasized the importance of focusing on our own journey rather than comparing ourselves to others. In space, every astronaut has a unique role and set of skills. Similarly, we should recognize and celebrate our individual strengths and contributions.
3. Embrace Challenges: People often say that certain tasks are hard, but Laura reminded us that we undertake them not because they are easy, but because they are hard. By challenging our capabilities, abilities, and skills, we can push the boundaries of what we can achieve.
4. Decision Making Over Intelligence: Laura highlighted that success is less about intelligence and more about decision-making. Life tests our ability to make sound decisions under pressure, rather than our intellectual prowess.
5. The Test of Time: Life constantly measures our endurance and ability to persevere. Similar to astronauts on extended missions, we are required to maintain steadfastness in our endeavours.
6. The Power of Feeling at Home: Laura spoke about the importance of feeling at home, even in the vastness of space. Creating a sense of belonging and comfort in our environments can significantly impact our well-being and performance.
7. Be a Crew, Not Just a Team: In space, astronauts function as a crew, relying on each other for support and collaboration. Laura encouraged us to adopt this mindset in our teams, fostering a culture of mutual trust and cooperation. Laura highlighted the importance of communication, shared purpose, and psychological safety in building high-performing teams.
8. Be Curious, Capable, and Confident: Curiosity drives exploration, capability ensures we can handle challenges, and confidence empowers us to take bold steps. These qualities are essential for success, both in work and in life.

Laura’s address inspired the audience to consider how everyday actions—mentoring a colleague, voicing a new idea, encouraging curiosity—can create ripple effects of positive change. 

Inspired by Laura’s keynote? So are we. Join the WiTT community as we continue to spotlight bold voices, share transformative ideas, and shape the future of tax technology—together.