1. “ADVENTURE WORK”
For
INNOVATION
It’s What I Do
by: Mary Hakam
My forte is what I call “Adventure Work”, as in Indiana Jones. Innovation is an adventure and it requires
passion. As a leader that runs the gamut from Vision to New Product, I enjoy every step.
Gifted with a brain that has both sides at work, it is second nature for me to balance talents for vision and
creativity with business savvy, organization and practical engineering. Over time I’ve acquired a large
toolbox with a deluxe set of tools just right for Adventure Work,
honing skills through experience. I’ve had the privilege of
learning from leaders made outstanding by their generous
spirit, each sharing knowledge and time as the best-of-the-best
are known to do, investing in others simply for the benefit of the
recipient. As I was mentored, so I lead. A bonus gift is emotional
intelligence; I genuinely care for people and I easily connect
with others at all levels.
Each adventure begins for me with an initial investment - time
spent getting to know customers and others who will be
involved in the journey from start to finish. Discussions occur
and relationships are built; a trip map unfolds as needs, wants,
vision and goals are defined. Being a trained mapmaker, I
pay particular attention to company cultures ensuring
corporate ideals and expectations guide the journey. With
an innate ability to see the-forest-for-the-trees, it’s natural
for me to put pieces together and lead the creation of a
master trip plan (with side trips as needed). Charting a
sensible, realistic course through the wilderness comes by
having a keen awareness of risks while respecting the
bounds of resources and time balanced against a wish list
of tasks.
In tandem, I endeavor to serve through leadership the greatest resource of all – myfellow team members.
By inspiring and inviting needed colleagues at all levels to come join in, I set the stage for excellence
through high performance teamwork techniques and clear expectations. Much satisfaction comes from
matching an individual’s talents with tasks so one’s strengths are used and each has the opportunity to
reach their full potential. It is important to me to facilitate a cooperative environment where the core team
and cross-functional teams work together like clockwork. As for my contribution, much of my adventure
experience has been in the combined roles of project
manager, technical lead and innovator. Wearing these hats
allows for 360° vision, giving me a unique perspective in
experiencing the direct effects of one role, its tasks and its
results on the others.
Now for the real adventure . . .
With a complete map, a well thought out trip plan, carefully
chosen gear and an inspired team, it’s time to go.

2. When things are on-course, it can be the boring part of the
trip and one often hears “Are we there yet?” I’ve learned
to stay patient and alert even then, since drifting off-course
is a subtle and continuous risk. Staying on-courserequires
a relaxed hand on the yoke – not a tight grip and no hands-
off maneuvers. I’ve learned through experience how to
identify when course corrections or detours are needed,
and how best to make them.
Adventures become
adrenaline sports
when major risks
come alive. By watching some great leaders and through some
crazy experiences, I’ve learned how to navigate without losing
control, how to recover and not crash. I have demonstrated
experience as someone others can rely on to remain calm under
pressure, knowing what to do in an emergency.
As the trip wears
on and the team
tires out, it’s
important to keep everyone motivated to the finish; eyes
on the prize. At about this point, if not before, conflicts
arise. I problem solve with consideration by active
listening, understanding the problem at hand, holding
firm boundaries and seeking a win-win solution.
Colleagues know they can count on my support through
the journey and I expect them to count on each other as
well. Whether foraging ahead or bringing up the rear, I
seek to empower others to do their very best work - to
produce the highest quality work product possible, for
the least cost, in the shortest time, while having fun. After all, adventures should be fun or why go?
And just like Indiana Jones – everyone invested expects the hard work to pay off as we reach the Holy
Grail - the end of the journey – a product well made, a customer who is beyond thrilled, a successful
adventure with stories to tell, and the reward of profit! So when can we go again?
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Coming from a modest upbringing in the farmland of Ohio, I
learned to value others, show respect, be kind, be strong and do
my best work always. Professionally, I was raised in a culture of
what I describe as “Adventure Work” at NASA-JSC and W.L. Gore
& Associates, entities famous for their success in innovation,
where high performance teams and cutting edge products are
standard. Throughout my career I’ve been afforded unique
opportunities to use God-given talents for adventure work in a
variety of environments with a variety of people: technical and non-
technical, professional and volunteer. Colleagues and friends
know I can get a team together and get what no-one-thinks-is-
possible, done. They say my reputation is one for safety, integrity,
good team leadership, solid technical skill, organization,
compassion and humor. I describe myself simply as a “Git-R-Done and Have Fun” kinda gal.
Huge thanks to all my World-Class mentors to date – Ira, Frances, Mike, Joe, Fred, Vic, Terri, Bob1, Diccon, Bob2, Kathy,
Frank, Dick, Larry, Brady, Doug, Jeff, Craig, Mark andBill. This post is dedicated to those on the list no longer with us,
on to an even greater adventure.