No matter the mission, Chris Cassidy leads by example

On Nov. 4, Dr. Lindsay Whorton interviewed Chris Cassidy, retired Navy SEAL, former NASA Chief Astronaut and President and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, for The Holdsworth Center’s Place the Ladder leadership speaker series. Below are excerpts edited for length and clarity.

At The Holdsworth Center’s “Place the Ladder” speaker series, we welcome leaders from all walks of life to share their stories and insights on what it means to lead with purpose. Our recent guest, Chris Cassidy, brought a unique perspective shaped by a remarkable journey—from small-town Maine to the Navy SEALs, to outer space as a NASA astronaut, and now as CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum. 

Cassidy’s story is one of grit, humility, and a deep belief in the power of people. Over the course of the evening, he shared lessons from his life and career that resonated deeply with the educators and leaders in the room.

A NASA tradition that mirrors our mission

Cassidy opened the evening by sharing a story that immediately connected with the spirit of the event. At NASA, every mission has a symbolic patch, and after the mission concludes, two individuals are honored with the task of hanging that patch in Mission Control. These aren’t the astronauts who flew the mission—they’re the behind-the-scenes team members who made the mission possible. 

“It’s called placing the ladder for the patch hanger,” Cassidy explained. “It’s a very significant honor because it recognizes the people who were the foundation of success for that mission.” 

This tradition, Cassidy said, resonated deeply with him and made the invitation to speak at Place the Ladder even more meaningful. It’s a reminder that leadership isn’t just about being on the front lines. It’s about lifting others up, creating opportunities, and recognizing the quiet contributions that make success possible.

A ladder placed early

Cassidy grew up in York, Maine, a self-described “normal kid” who was okay at school and sports, but not exceptional. What shaped him most, he said, were the quiet examples of resilience from his parents, who weathered the ups and downs of a failed restaurant venture with grace and love. He also recalled the impact of teachers—both the ones who inspired him and the ones who taught him, through difficult moments, what kind of leader he didn’t want to be.

One of the most pivotal moments in his life came when he nearly missed his chance to attend the U.S. Naval Academy due to a paperwork error on his part. A Marine Corps captain named Mike Malillo took a chance on him, offering a last-minute spot at the Naval Academy Prep School. That single act of belief, Cassidy said, “placed the ladder” that led to everything that followed—his military service, his time at NASA, and his current role leading a national institution.

People are the common thread

Cassidy’s leadership philosophy is grounded in empathy, alignment, and action. Whether leading a Navy SEAL team in Afghanistan, commanding a space mission, or guiding a nonprofit organization, he’s learned that success comes down to people. 

“It’s about aligning the efforts of people to do the mission. Fill in the blank for what the mission is,” he said. 

He emphasized that great leaders don’t just give orders, they create the conditions for others to succeed. That means resourcing teams, communicating clearly, and knowing when to make fast decisions and when to slow down for dialogue. 

Cassidy also spoke about the importance of empathy in leadership—understanding what others are going through and being transparent about the “why” behind decisions. He recalled moments early in his career when he felt intimidated leading more experienced SEALs, and how a senior enlisted officer gently guided him with quiet strength and respect.

In the face of fear, loosen your grip

As an astronaut, Cassidy faced moments of real fear, none more vivid than his first spacewalk. Floating 250 miles above Earth, he opened the hatch and watched a stray straw from the spacecraft’s kitchen float into the void. “I remember thinking, ‘I don’t want to be that straw,’” he said. 

What got him through was a one-line email a fellow astronaut has sent the night before: “Loosen your grip.” It was a reminder to breathe, to trust his training, and to stay grounded, literally and figuratively. 

Cassidy now uses that phrase as a metaphor for leadership. When things get stressful, he reminds himself: “Most of the time, no one’s life is on the line. Everything’s going to be okay.”

Courage is a decision

Today, Cassidy leads the National Medal of Honor Museum, where he’s helping tell stories of extraordinary courage and sacrifice. One of his favorites is Tibor Rubin, a Holocaust survivor who became a U.S. soldier, was twice a prisoner of war, and ultimately received the Medal of Honor decades later.  

As a young Jewish boy, Rubin was imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. After being liberated by American GIs, Rubin was so moved by their bravery and compassion that he vowed to one day become a U.S. soldier himself even though he wasn’t yet an American citizen and didn’t speak English. 

Rubin eventually joined the U.S. Army and was deployed to Korea. Captured by Chinese forces, Rubin spent more than two years in a POW camp. He had the opportunity to escape but chose to stay behind to care for his fellow prisoners, many of whom were sick and starving. 

At great personal risk, Rubin would sneak out of the camp at night to steal food from nearby farms, bringing back sustenance for his comrades. His knowledge of surviving in a concentration camp helped him keep others alive. 

Rubin’s courage wasn’t just about battlefield heroics—it was about making a conscious decision to endure suffering for the sake of others.  

During the conversation, Cassidy quoted another Medal of Honor recipient, General Pat Brady, who often said, “Fear is an emotion. Courage is a decision.”

Placing the ladder for others

Through the museum’s educational programs, Cassidy and his team are working to instill these values in the next generation. Their “Moments That Matter” curriculum, piloted in Texas schools, helps seventh graders explore character, courage and leadership in their own lives. 

When asked how he now places the ladder for others, Cassidy said it’s about creating opportunities and trusting people to rise to the occasion. 

“Everybody wants to excel,” he said. “Give them the chance.”

Leadership by example

When it comes to leadership, Cassidy believes actions speak louder than words: 

“Unspoken actions can be louder than the words that come out of people’s mouths. Just exhibit the behavior that you’re expecting out of the people that are around you.” 

This principle has guided Cassidy through every chapter of his career, from the battlefield to space. 

Cassidy described a moment early in his NASA career that left a lasting impression. It was his first week on the job, and he was still figuring out the basics—where to park, how to log into his computer, and how to connect to his printer. Despite being brand new, he was asked to attend a public event where NASA introduced its newest class of astronauts. 

After the event, a young boy ran up to him, wide-eyed and excited, saying: 

“Oh my God, oh my God, you’re a NASA astronaut!” 

Cassidy recalled thinking, “Dude, I don’t even know how to print or where to park.” But in that moment, he realized something profound: 

“He didn’t know that. He saw me as a representation of our nation’s space flight program just by having that blue flight suit on.” 

That moment taught him that leaders are always being watched, and that how you show up matters, even when you feel uncertain or unprepared. It’s not about having all the answers; it’s about embodying the values others can look up to. 

He tied this lesson directly to educators, saying: 

“You can do a lot of good when you’re in a position to influence people. You as educators are just exactly that.” 

This story reinforces a key leadership truth: your example may be someone else’s inspiration. Even when you don’t feel ready, your presence, your integrity, and your actions can light the way for others.

Be a good teammate

For aspiring leaders—whether in the classroom, the boardroom, or beyond—Cassidy offered this advice: 

“Be the kind of person people want to go on a road trip with. Be a good teammate. Have empathy. And don’t hold yourself back—let others tell you no.” 

In a world that often feels uncertain, Cassidy’s message was clear: Leadership is about people. Courage is a choice. And the most powerful thing we can do is place the ladder for someone else.