{"id":17911,"date":"2024-11-02T12:19:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-02T11:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ohb-ds.de\/wpml\/magazin\/was-haben-cios-und-astronauten-gemeinsam"},"modified":"2026-09-17T12:20:36","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T10:20:36","slug":"what-do-cios-and-astronauts-have-in-common","status":"publish","type":"magazin","link":"https:\/\/www.ohb-ds.de\/en\/magazine\/what-do-cios-and-astronauts-have-in-common","title":{"rendered":"What do CIOs and astronauts have in common?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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What do CIOs and astronauts have in common?<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAt first glance, it doesn’t seem like much, but both have a unique perspective on their own universe.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSchedule an initial consultation now<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Of course, the day-to-day work of an astronaut cannot be compared to that of a CIO. However, what they have in common is their perspective. An astronaut on a space mission can view Earth from a unique vantage point above, while a CIO has an equally unique perspective on the company and can view it holistically. So what defines this unique perspective for the CIO, and how can he apply the qualities of an astronaut to the development of corporate strategy?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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A unique perspective<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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What many astronauts have in common is their impression of Earth\u2014this planet that, when viewed from above, looks so small and so lonely in the universe. Sigmund J\u00e4hn (strictly speaking, a cosmonaut) told author Maja Nielsen:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\u201cEven before my flight, I knew that our planet is small and vulnerable. But when I saw it from space, in all its indescribable beauty and fragility, I realized that humanity\u2019s most important task is to protect and preserve it for future generations.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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A quote that could just as easily have come from astronauts like Alexander Gerst or James Irwin. Only in space, inside a small space shuttle, do they see the world from a perspective that reveals its interconnectedness. Seeing the planet as a whole\u2014that is an astronaut\u2019s perspective.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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A forest fire, for example, might look very small from down here, and people in distant regions or other countries may not even notice it. From above, an astronaut can see just how large the fire really is and how quickly it spreads, spilling over into other areas and, over time, having a massive impact on a large number of people. Even when severe weather events like thunderstorms, hurricanes, or sandstorms are brewing, you can see their full extent from space\u2014where they\u2019re forming and which areas are affected and at risk.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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An astronaut’s perspective gives him a bird’s-eye view of Earth’s problems and their consequences. He can see things that other people, from their own perspective, can never see. This makes the astronaut a visionary and a role model for many people.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Ready for Liftoff: The Role of the CIO in the C-Suite<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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They lead and steer the company\u2019s (digital) strategy. Their experience leading IT organizations gives them many advantages:<\/p>\n