21st Century Leadership and Technology

Abstract

Leadership, technology, and engineering must come together to allow the United States to retain its greatness in the 21st century. Early engineering leadership considers the Corps of Engineers' assistance in developing the nation's infrastructure. Engineering/scientific leadership and technological innovation are key to everyone's quality of life and the nation's global competitiveness. Discoveries/innovations and their expanded and improved applications have become more and more dramatic—from steam engines to extraterrestrial travel and lunar exploration. Because of continued and dramatic future breakthroughs of an ever-accelerating rate, leaders must understand and manage technological change to help the nation be globally competitive. United States history clearly points to the need for its leaders to adequately prepare for this tremendous and ever-accelerating change, especially in this technological and global age. Engineers and scientists must be the future leaders. As such, they must be better educated in the broader issues affected by technology, while not compromising their technical competence. Engineers and scientists will lead, participate in, and guide interdisciplinary teams, and be the decision-makers both in business and government in the 21st century.