Right leader and Cherish moments


“Let me tell you about my experience. In 1973 I became the project director of India's satellite launch vehicle program, commonly called the SLV-3. Our goal was to put India's "Rohini" satellite into orbit by 1980. I was given funds and human resources, but was told clearly that by 1980 we had to launch the satellite into space. Thousands of people worked together in scientific and technical teams towards that goal.

By 1979, I think the month was August we thought we were ready. As the project director, I went to the control center for the launch. At four minutes before the satellite launch, the computer began to go through the checklist of items that needed to be checked. One minute later, the computer program put the launch on hold; the display showed that some control components were not in order.

Right leader and Cherish momentsMy experts I had four or five of them told me not to worry; they had done their calculations and there was enough reserve fuel. So I bypassed the computer, switched to manual mode and launched The Rocket. In the first stage, everything worked fine. In the second Stage, a problem developed. Instead of the satellite going into orbit, the whole rocket system plunged into the Bay of Bengal.  It was a big Failure. 

That day, the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization, Prof. Satish Dhawan, had called a press conference. The launch was at 7:00 am, journalists from around the world were present was at 7:45 am at ISRO's satellite launch range in Sriharikota [in Andhra Pradesh in southern India]. Prof. Dhawan, the leader of the organization, conducted the press conference himself. "We failed! But I have a very good trust in my team that next time we will be succeeding for sure". 

Prof. Dhawan took responsibility for the failure he said that the team had worked very hard, but that it needed more technological support. He assured the media that in another year, the team would definitely succeed. Now, I was the project director and it was my failure, but instead, he took responsibility for the failure as chairman of the Organization.

The next year, in July 1980, we tried again to launch the satellite and this time we succeeded. The whole nation was jubilant and cheering for the success of the launch. Again, there was a press conference Prof. Dhawan called me aside and told me now “You conduct the press conference today.”

Well, this sum up what Leadership is all about! Leadership is not just about 'leading' someone to achieve a task but it is about 'empowering' someone to achieve far Greater deeds. One needs no bigger support than a Leader like Prof. Satish Dhawan to achieve things that have never been achieved before. The 'Trust' that Prof. Dhawan had in his team and the willingness to take responsibility when they fail, is something everyone should look upto and learn in order to become a True Leader.

Dr. Abdul Kalam cherished this experience as one of the high moments in his journey. Right way never change the goal… Try to be a master… be a role model… And be a leader… There is lot of wants here!