The Urgent Call for Leadership in a Time of Crisis
Written on
Leadership in Uncertain Times
In our current era, the necessity for strong, steady leadership has never been more pronounced. The majority of the global population is acutely aware of the existential threats we face today.
For those familiar with the Apollo program, Eugene Francis Kranz is a name that resonates. He was the Flight Director during the moon landing, a pivotal event documented in the compelling BBC podcast series, 13 Minutes to the Moon, narrated by Dr. Kevin Fong. Kranz played a vital role in the Apollo 11 mission, especially when the lunar module was running perilously low on fuel. His adept coordination of NASA's vast resources was crucial in ensuring that the Eagle safely touched down on Tranquility Base. For a deeper understanding of his contributions, the final 13 minutes of the descent are featured in Episode 11 of the series (listening to all preceding episodes enhances the experience).
The latest installment, The Apollo 13 Story, recounts the harrowing events of the Apollo 13 mission, which faced a dire crisis due to an explosion in one of its oxygen tanks. Kranz’s ability to maintain composure, direct resources towards solutions, and inspire hope played a critical role in transforming what could have been a catastrophe into "our finest hour." His character is vividly portrayed by Ed Harris in the film Apollo 13.
The Need for Collaboration
Currently, the looming crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic demands our attention. One bright spot amidst the darkness was the initiative from Alibaba Cloud known as the "Global MediXchange for Combating COVID-19." This collaborative effort showcased a spirit of cooperation, as the Chinese team shared their extensive handbook detailing their experiences in preventing and treating the virus. They emphasized that in this age of globalization, sharing resources and experiences is our best chance for overcoming this pandemic. They stated, “The real remedy for this pandemic is not isolation, but cooperation.”
We have the potential to combat this disease effectively, but to do so, we require a leader—a “Gene Kranz”—who possesses the right expertise and experience. So far, a figure of such caliber has yet to emerge. While many individuals contribute significantly, none have risen to the level necessary to guide us toward our finest moment.
Drawing from Kranz's rich background in aeronautics and aviation, we can identify essential qualities for effective leadership in this crisis:
- A solid foundation in science and medicine.
- Experience in clinical settings.
- Military service or equivalent structured systems, such as high-performance clinical facilities.
- Familiarity with infectious disease environments (e.g., WHO, CDC).
- Experience in developing procedures for disease management and critical care.
While I may not have specific candidates in mind, I hope someone with these attributes recognizes their potential to step up during this critical time.
The Role of Individuals
In the meantime, we must all seek ways to contribute, becoming part of the solution to this global crisis. We can take on roles similar to scientists, programmers, or mission control specialists, offering insights and data analysis that can lead to effective solutions, much like the innovative CO2 removal system that was developed using simple materials during the Apollo missions.
I leave you with the “Kranz Dictum”—a powerful address he made following the tragic Apollo 1 fire that claimed the lives of astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee in 1967.
“Spaceflight will never tolerate carelessness, incapacity, and neglect. Somewhere, somehow, we screwed up. It could have been in design, build, or test. Whatever it was, we should have caught it. We were too gung ho about the schedule and we locked out all the problems we saw each day in our work… From this day forward, Flight Control will be known by two words: 'Tough' and 'Competent.'”
These words should serve as a reminder of the responsibilities we hold as we navigate through this crisis.