Wanda Austin’s message was stirring and timely. “So many people in so many companies have spent years focused on getting profits, wealth and promotions rather than getting it right.” For Austin, the broken system perpetuates empty success and hinders the research needed to solve the world’s problems.

The final lecturer for the 2009 Annenberg Visiting Professors in Leadership and Management Series, Austin is the 2009 Black Engineer of the Year (an honor given by U.S. Black Engineer & IT Magazine) and serves as president and chief executive officer of The Aerospace Corporation. She spoke on campus April 28 about her distinctly successful career and her thoughts on responsible leadership during a talk entitled “Getting it Right in an Imperfect World.”

For Austin, “getting it right” is imperative, though not always easy. In her business, getting it right means working hard over a long period of time while utilizing discipline and sound judgment. Exercising integrity and humbly performing the tasks at hand make a difference for communities, companies and citizens everywhere. Her no-nonsense work ethic comes from her parents—neither of whom finished high school, she said—who pushed her to achieve her dreams and insisted that there was no limit to what she could accomplish. Austin reflected that it was through education that the doors of success were opened for her. Years of hard work, commitment and time paid off.

Austin raised concern about elementary students’ lack of science and math skills and their willingness to persevere. “It starts with helping our students to get on the right path,” she said. “It also requires that each of us examine closely how we set our goals for the future. We keep our heads down and our hearts open, we work hard to get it right, and do whatever it takes to move in the right direction, even when it feels like overwhelming odds.”

Our nation’s future depends upon making sure our youth are inspired to do just those things. “It is truly a national imperative that we increase innovation that will catalyze the future for us,” Austin said. “In addition, we must nurture remarkable scientists and engineers who show promise in our quest to enhance the world.”

Reminders of how to succeed in school, work and life were mentioned throughout her talk. She articulated that patience, perseverance and practice are elements that help us in every aspect of life. And, only when all of those are honored, are we operating in a better system than the one that we currently live in. Austin takes issue with “instant results” and quick profits. The long and often slow call to meticulous work is absolutely necessary, she said. Austin rallied for a return to yesteryear when hard work was of the utmost value.

“It’s important for us to incorporate this attitude and ethos into our daily life to be successful and to truly change the world. It has to be part of who we are. You’re never too young, and it’s never too late when it comes to getting it right.”

President Maria Klawe lauded Austin for her hard work and commitment to authentic leadership. “You really couldn’t have given a talk that resonates more closely with Harvey Mudd College and our strategic vision,” said Klawe. “We are a community that tries enormously hard to get it right.”

To view the Annenberg lectures in their entirety, go to www.hmc.edu/newsandevents/newsnav/video.html