A P J Abdul Kalam S Lesson In Leadership Overcoming Failure And Achieving Success Rocket Science

• Join us as we delve into Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's inspiring story of how he and his team faced a rocket launch failure, took responsibility, and eventually achieved success in the field of rocket science. Learn about his remarkable leadership qualities and the invaluable lesson he learned along the way.

• Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam shares a pivotal moment in his life involving a rocket launch.
• The launch was initially a failure due to a technical issue.
• Kalam and his team face questions from the press and take responsibility for the failure.
• Kalam's leadership qualities are exemplified when he takes the blame for the failure.
• One year later, they successfully launch the rocket and put the satellite into orbit, learning a valuable lesson in the process.

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, a renowned figure in Indian science and politics, shared an inspirational lesson from his life regarding how to manage failure and success. This pivotal moment in his career involved a rocket launch, and his story is a testament to resilience, leadership, and determination.

In 1979, Dr. Kalam and his team were preparing for the launch of a satellite launch vehicle with 44 subsystems and thousands of components. The rocket was built at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center, and the mission was under the leadership of Dr. Satish Dhawan, who was the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and the Space Commission at that time. Dr. Kalam had been given the task of building the satellite launch vehicle by Dr. Dhawan in 1973, and after six years of hard work and dedication, they were ready for the launch.

As the mission director and project director, Dr. Kalam was responsible for overseeing the launch. On the fateful day of August 17, 1979, as the launch vehicle was on the pad, the control center was filled with anticipation. However, when the computer took over at T minus eight minutes, it put a hold on the launch due to a problem in the second-stage control system. A leakage was detected, and the launch was in jeopardy.

Dr. Kalam turned to a group of experienced experts for advice. They believed that despite the issue, the rocket could still be launched safely, and they urged him to proceed manually. Taking their advice, Dr. Kalam switched the rocket to manual mode, and the launch commenced. The first stage performed beautifully, but within seconds of the second-stage ignition, the rocket began to spin uncontrollably. As a result, the rocket, along with the satellite, was lost in the Bay of Bengal. It was a devastating failure.

The way Dr. Kalam handled this failure is a remarkable lesson for anyone, particularly entrepreneurs. Instead of shifting blame or making excuses, he took full responsibility for the mission's failure. This act of leadership and accountability set the tone for what would come next.

The very evening of the failed launch, a press conference was scheduled. Dr. Kalam, despite his exhaustion, was asked to address the media. He faced a barrage of questions, including inquiries about how 20 crores of public money could be lost in the Bay of Bengal. With grace and humility, he admitted the failure and promised to support his team and scientists to ensure success in the future. He emphasized that they had gained invaluable experience from this failure.

What makes this incident even more noteworthy is the way Dr. Kalam's superior, Dr. Satish Dhawan, handled the situation. He took the responsibility for the failure upon himself. In doing so, he displayed exceptional leadership qualities. He shifted the focus from blaming individuals to collective responsibility.

Exactly one year after the initial failure, on July 18, 1980, the team returned to the launch pad. The countdown began, and at T minus eight minutes, Dr. Kalam handed control over to the computer once again. This time, the launch proceeded smoothly. Dr. Kalam watched as the rocket successfully delivered the satellite into orbit. He addressed the mission control center, announcing the success of the mission. However, it wasn't the successful launch itself that held the most significance.

After the launch, Dr. Satish Dhawan approached Dr. Kalam and instructed him to conduct the press conference. He emphasized the importance of understanding the significance of the previous failure. Dr. Kalam and his team had taken a failure and turned it into a resounding success, demonstrating the power of leadership, accountability, and learning from mistakes.

In summary, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's story of managing failure and success in the field of rocket science serves as a powerful lesson for all. His ability to take responsibility for failure, learn from it, and lead his team to ultimate success showcases the qualities of a true leader. This narrative emphasizes the importance of resilience and accountability on the path to achieving remarkable goals.

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