Seven Leadership Lessons from Chandrayan2 Launch

Indian space research organization (ISRO) set it eyes to achieve what no one else had done before and its most ambitious project till date was launch of moon mission Chandrayan2.  This was a mission significantly different and unique in many ways like the choice of soft landing location (South Pole), the low cost of the project (940 Cr) , the indigenous nature of this program (Made in India technology) and the scientific objectives of Vikram Lander & Pragyan Rover . We traveled more than 3 lakh Km in this journey, successfully placed the moon orbiter and came as close as 2.1 kms to make a soft landing on the surface of the moon. The communication to the lander was lost just few seconds before the touchdown and it is still being contacted as i write.

ISRO Ground Station , Bengaluru

This whole initiative was led by a team of scientists from ISRO, their chairman K Sivan and most importantly our leader Hon. Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi. The event gave us very important ‘Leadership lessons’ and i list them in as simple words as I can.

1.  Set out a visionary goal

PM Modi set out an objective that was never accomplished by any other country so far. The team believed in it and came together to deliver, working day and night over couple of years.

2.  Empower and entrust your team

The Indian government per se, gave full autonomy to ISRO scientists to perform. The PM kept an eye on the mission at all times and put his full trust in the team.

PM Narendra Modi with ISRO Chairman K Sivan

3.  Raise the benchmark for success and failure

ISRO had already launched a successful mission Chandrayan1 and worked in pursuit for higher excellence. Chandrayan2 was 99% accomplished, even a partial failure was better than our last best.

4.  Stand with your team at all times

Physical presence of management with their team in high pressure events, key meetings, make or break situations is a big morale booster. PM Modi returned back from an international visit but was present with ISRO scientists at 1 30 AM to witness the soft landing on moon, staying back till 3 AM and again coming back at 8 AM the same morning.

5.  Share words of wisdom & advise to boost morale

Outcomes don’t follow projections and predictions however perfect a situation is and the same happened with Vikram Lander & Pragyan Rover. The team of scientists were crest fallen and they needed their leader to belittle the miss which the PM did so gracefully. He came back to ISRO center at 8 AM and communicated with them in the most logical words. Science is all about experiments and not failures, and if we don’t experiment we don’t break the glass ceiling. The mission will succeed and our scientists will not rest until they have done so, were his words to boost their morale and re-energize them.

6.  Give a human touch

The embrace, the hug which PM Modi gave to ISRO Chairman K Sivan said so many things about his character and his humane side. Governments, Institutions, Organizations, Civilizations are nothing but the people who represent them and all events of our lives can only be depicted by these interpersonal relationships. A great leader knows the importance of a hug, an embrace, a smile, a handshake and a body language that is positive and comforting.

PM Narendra Modi and ISRO Chaairman K Sivan

7.  Give recognition to the team

Naysayers might say that live telecast of soft landing on the moon was too risky, since the cost of failure in terms of public opinion is very heavy. If one sees from the view of our Prime Minister, he wanted to give credit where it was due. The country never knew the silent warriors that our scientists are as they always keep away from limelight. With this event, the entire world came face to face with our technological prowess and the brains behind it. Men and women from all parts of the country have fought their battle to reach where they are now and they deserve respect, recognition and support. Our leader ensured that this unique window of telecast to the world gave our scientists their share of name and fame. What it also did to the young minds of the country is, a resolve to join such prestigious institutes and one day launch missions like Chandrayan.

I am hopeful of our success, optimistic about our future, proud of being born in a country of billion dreams. Ten years from now, we will be a superpower in space programs and India will contribute to the welfare of the world and this is what we as a civilization have been known for.