5 Pieces of Amazing Advice From Twin Space Heroes Capt. Scott Kelly and Capt. Mark Kelly know all about operating under pressure.

By Nina Zipkin

NBC NewsWire | Getty Images
Mark Kelly and Scott Kelly.

When things get stressful, it's important to remember there is only so much that you can control. But if you think that's difficult when you're working in an office, imagine how crazy a proposition it'd be if you're orbiting the Earth.

Capt. Scott Kelly and Capt. Mark Kelly know all about that.

They are twin brothers who are both seasoned Navy fighter pilots and retired NASA astronauts. Both have spent time on board the International Space Station -- with Scott the first American to spend one consecutive year in space.

With their air and space adventures behind them, the brothers reflected in a keynote at the LocationWorld conference in New York City on the lessons they have learned about leadership and teamwork.

Related: International Space Station Crew Returns Home Today. See Photos of Their Year in Space

1. Never settle.
Scott recalled a significant moment during his Navy training in which he had to land an airplane precisely on a ship in the middle of the ocean. But the first time he went out to complete the test, he failed, and was asked by his superior whether this was really the career path he wanted to pursue.

He didn't give up and tried again. His teacher told him that the problem was that when things were going well in the air, he got too comfortable and wasn't able to make quick decisions.

"You have to make small, constant corrections. Always test the status quo," he said

2. Stay focused.
Mark told a story about flying a combat mission in southern Iraq that landed him in a situation that was too close for comfort.

"I gotta tell you, one of the worst feelings I've ever had in my life up to that point was seeing that missile come up, that big, bright white dot just getting bigger, and just staying in the same relative spot to you," he said. "If it stays in the same spot, it means it's coming right at you."

Even though he was scared, he knew that he had to stay focused on the job at hand, and rely on his navigator to do what he needed to do. Their mission was ultimately successful.

"It's amazing what you can accomplish when you focus on the things you can control," he said.

3. Take one step at a time.
It may feel like you always have to be on, especially when you are starting a new venture, and no one understands this quite like Scott Kelly. His year on the ISS is a massive scientific and human achievement, but it also meant that no matter what happened over the course of that mission, he was always at work.

When he woke up or went to sleep, he was always on the job. Of course, there were breaks for meals and recreation, but he and his crew always had to be ready to put out fires -- and that's not just a figure of speech. His solution was to take things step by step and remember that he loved what he did and that "nothing is more important than what I'm doing right now."

Related: For the First Time Ever, NASA Astronauts Eat Vegetables Grown in Space

4. Don't go it alone.
When you're launching a company, you need people who believe in your vision and have your back. But a really successful team has people who bring different sensibilities to the table.

"I hate 'yes' people," Mark explained. "I'm perfectly capable of agreeing with myself. I'm pretty good at it."

When he assembles a team, he said that he tells them on the first day that they are required to question his decisions if there is a question of safety or if there is a better, more effective way to do things.

"No individual can do it all on their own," he said.

5. Embrace hard work.
Scott spoke about leaving the space shuttle for the last time and marveling at the work that he and his crewmates had done in absolute extremes, and thinking about the successful international partnerships that made the ISS possible.

"This is the hardest thing that we have ever done. And if we can do this, we can do anything," he said. "If we want to go to Mars, we can go to Mars. If we want to cure cancer, we can put the resources behind it and cure cancer."

Scott continued, "If we have a goal and a plan, and are willing to take risks and mistakes and work as team, we can choose to do the hard thing."

Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Social Media

How To Start a Youtube Channel: Step-by-Step Guide

YouTube can be a valuable way to grow your audience. If you're ready to create content, read more about starting a business YouTube Channel.

Marketing

This SEO Secret Weapon Is Just $69 for Life

Affordable, actionable search engine optimization insights for businesses of all sizes.

Business News

Here's What 8 CEOs Made in 2024, From JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon to Disney's Bob Iger

CEO pay is on the rise, with some making tens of millions more in 2024 than they did in 2023.

Leadership

The Core Traits of Effective Leaders — Here's What Every Manager Should Strive For

A team is only as great as its leader. Discover the core traits of effective leaders that you should be striving for.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Franchise

This Travel Franchise Turns Your Passion for Vacations Into a Money-Making Opportunity

Whether you're working from home, traveling or connecting with clients at their convenience, this franchise adapts to your lifestyle.