Lunar Leadership Lessons

Bad day at work? Imagine it’s April 1970 and you are a flight controller of Apollo 13.

Following an explosion in Oxygen tank 2, the main Command and Service Module Odyssey would be powered down, and the Lunar Module Aquarius would become an unexpected lifeboat, supporting the full crew way beyond its original design limits. The moon has been lost. The rest of the mission is now a life and death focus on managing resources and controlling the spacecraft’s trajectory.

The unfolding events I’ve just described would showcase one of the most outstanding examples of leadership in history. Gene Kranz directed the successful efforts of mission control. Here I focus on just four of his belting quotes to demonstrate the power of language in a leadership scenario.

1.     “Work the problem, people” 

Kranz knew that every problem has a solution but that you have to be methodical and work through the issues. The power of these four words is in compelling the specialist team to focus all energy and efforts towards problem solving.

In simple terms, stop worrying and start working. The solution will come by focusing on what you can do, not thinking about what is beyond your control.

2.     “We’ve never lost an American in space, we’re sure as (heck) not going to lose one on my watch! Failure is not an option”

It could get done, and it would get done. Yes, there were insurmountable difficulties but by not even entertaining failure as a viable option, the whole mentality changes.

In business, how many times has something felt impossible but when a situation leads to there being no other viable option, everyone pulls together to just make it happen?

3.     “I don’t care what anything was DESIGNED to do. I care about what it CAN do.”

As NASA’s scientists worked the problem, Kranz made them think outside the box. They broke down systems and used the parts to create new tools and systems that helped saved lives. 

It’s so easy to focus on all the things you do not have. The default position in business is often to buy a new software solution or to outsource consultancy support. But how often do we take an inward look at the systems we already have or the knowledge that exists within our own work force?

Finally, when the NASA director said that this could be the worst disaster in the history of NASA, Kranz cut him off:

4.     “With all due respect sir, I think this is going to be our finest hour.” 

Perhaps that’s the gem.

As a leader, you aren’t paid to coast on the good times. I really think you earn your pay when you face a serious problem. I’ve been there. Overcoming a problem is a true victory and leading teams through adversity is where you really prove your worth. It’s also the most rewarding part of leading a team.

Thank you for reading. What are the great examples of leadership you have seen or some brilliant leadership quotes?

Please feel free to comment on this article link as I’d love to hear other examples. Is there any example that beats Gene Kranz?