'Curiosity' the Powerful Thing

A woman approached Dr. Louis Agassiz, a distinguished American naturalist, after a lecture he gave in London. She complained that she had never really had a chance to learn because of her lot in life. She and her sister ran a boarding house and she simply didn't have time for anything else. After listening to the woman's story, Dr. Agassiz responded, "Do you say madam, you never had a chance? What do you do?" She replied, "I skin potatoes and chop onions."

He then inquired, "Madam, where do you sit during these interesting but Homely duties?”

"On the bottom step of the kitchen stairs."

"Where do your feet rest?"

"On the glazed brick."

"What is glazed brick?"

"I don't know, sir."

"How long have you been sitting there?"

"Fifteen years."

Dr. Agassiz then handed her his business card saying, "Madam, here is my personal card. Would you kindly write me a letter concerning the nature of a glazed brick?" An odd request indeed especially from someone so highly esteemed in the scientific world. The woman took the request seriously.

She looked up “brick” in the dictionary which stated that it was a piece of baked clay. This definition was far too simple to send to a famous scientist, so she continued her search moving on to the encyclopedia. She visited museums and libraries to obtain more in-depth articles. She even visited a local brickyard. When she felt her studies were complete on the matter, she sat down and wrote Dr. Agassiz a 36-page letter on the subject of glazed brick and tile.

In time, a reply came from Dr. Agassiz in which he informed her that it was the best article he had ever seen on the subject and then said, “I will have it published and pay you for it.” Soon a letter was received by the spinster containing $250 quite a large sum in that day.

Accompanying the payment was another question, "What is under those bricks?" She looked under the bricks and discovered ants. Thus she began an in-depth study of ants. She found there were as many as 2,500 different kinds. In order to understand the ant family she needed to study other subjects as well.

After extensive reading and careful study, she wrote 360 pages on the subject to Dr. Agassiz. This time he published it as a book and sent her a large sum of money which she used to travel and visit all the lands of her dreams.

There is no lack of opportunity, only a lack of curiosity!

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.

My 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!