Author
-
Michelle Scully
Special Advisor
Published
21/02/2023
One of my favourite movies of all time is Apollo 13. Every time I watch the movie, and that’s been more times than I care to count, I’m on the edge of my seat convinced that the astronauts are doomed with no hope of them returning to earth safe and sound. Each time, I hold my breath during the excruciating wait as they reenter earth’s orbit during communication black-out.
Even though I know the ultimate outcome, there always remains an intense and agonising anxiety about whether catastrophe is avoided, and that the astronaut’s lives are saved. But maybe it’s not just the suspense induced by the life and death situation that draws me in every time I watch.
One of the movie’s most memorable lines “Failure is not an option.” (a close second to Jim Lovell’s “Houston, we have a problem.”) is pronounced by the mission director Gene Kranz when it’s clear that things are dire and radical solutions are needed. A scene in the movie that follows sees the ground crew tip a box of household odds and sods onto a table to devise a contraption to prevent carbon dioxide from poisoning the astronauts onboard. The solution must not only be co-developed with the astronauts orbiting more than 380,000kms above but using precisely the same materials at hand and in real, quick time.
It’s the part of the movie I enjoy the most. I can feel the positive energy and the collective, determined sense of purpose. There’s an absence of obvious hierarchy around the table, and in the spacecraft. No standing on ceremony. No contribution ignored or scorned. Calm amongst the mayhem. With clear direction, a talented team is left to get on with the job.
I will stand behind every decision you make. We came into the room as a team and we’ll go out as a team.”
– Gene Kranz, Apollo 13 NASA Flight Director.
What transpires, both in the movie and in reality, is lauded as one of the greatest examples of collaboration and innovation. Collaboration done well is awesome, it can overcome all manner of obstacles, and everyone feels like a winner.
For us at Proximity, our approach to collaboration draws on these same attributes demonstrated throughout the Apollo 13 experience to overcome challenges and achieve excellent outcomes. By creating an exceptional workplace culture, we equip our people with the confidence and knowledge to find the ‘right fit’ solution for your needs.
