Apollo 13 Leadership

Movie Report

Apollo 13

The Story of Apollo 13 is a very famous one. What happened during a few days was extraordinary. Three astronauts from the NASA left for a mission to the moon. They were supposed to explore some parts of it. Unfortunately they encountered a few problems that led them to change their plans. The goal of the operation was not to get to the moon anymore, but to bring the three astronauts back home. After having dealt with all the problems in an incredible manner, not only within the rocket, but in the NASA offices as well, the three pilots came back home safely. This story is an incredible and one of the best examples of leadership one could use. Indeed, Jim Lovell in the Rocket, and Gene Kranz on earth, both showed leadership skilled that led them to the “successful failure” of the mission.

Jim Lovell had clear leadership skills that were demonstrated during the movie. Not only during the mission in space but even before starting the mission. He had the difficult decision to take with regard to one of his co-pilot. He had to remove one of the pilots of the crew while continuing to prepare the long journey. The first task of a leader is to build his team. And even in difficult circumstances, he did it in a perfect way. “…Get the right people in the right seats…” (Bus example, Fm Collins, “From good to great”). Jim also showed great skills communication with people on earth all along the movie. Communication is a key feature in leadership. During the whole operation, we feel a real link between the NASA and the pilots. Like if they were from the same family and trying to take care of the other.

CAPCOM 2: 13, we just got another request from the Flight Surgeon for you to get some sleep. Don’t like these readings down here.

Jim Lovell: [Tearing off his biomeds] Let’s see how he likes this. I am sick and tired of the entire western world knowing how my kidneys are functioning!

Dr. Chuck: [after Lovell's heartrate flatlines] Flight, we just...