Alone: Small Steps. Together: Giant Leaps Possible

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the first successful moon landing by the Apollo 11 crew of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Mike Collins on July 20, 1969.

Each man played his own critical role, but none designed the booster rockets, lunar module or suits that allowed them to survive in space.

Engineers helped plan and coordinate the flight plan and operations in conjunction with the the actions of the crew.

Support staff and key contractors were involved in the development and execution of ideas.

And, of course, there were multiple, progressive test missions under the Mercury and Gemini programs, plus earlier Apollo flights by other astronauts that led to the culmination of Aldrin and Armstrong as the first men on the moon.

My point?

Americans have a somewhat mythical idea of success being based on self-reliance, probably most ideally depicted by the lonesome cowboy or the man (single or with a family) who ventured to the West to stake a claim and work a farm. Later the innovating entrepreneur of the Industrial Age.

It is flawed.

Yes, initiative has to start internally with the individual who decides to take action, but even starting solo initially may be based on many favoring factors: family support growing up and as an adult if married or in a partner relationship; your sex, race, education, previous work experience and life experiences, religious or moral education, supporters, mentors, peers and friends.

Armstrong knew his initial steps were far beyond his individual effort and those of the crew in execution and impact and embodied it in his famous quote: "That's one small step for (a) man. One giant leap for mankind."

While the moon landing mission was monumental in scale, the same principles existed as the Wright brothers conquered engine driven airplane flying 65-70 years earlier. They had the mutual support of each other, family, close associates in Dayton, Ohio and the interest of some benefactors who, at the least, were advocates for them.

It goes on today with businesses, large and small, down to solo consultants, freelancers and "gig" economy workers.

No one does it alone. Keep the thought in mind as you need help and as you can assist others.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”-Aesop

Related

Time for Intellectual Humility

About me

I have been a career sales professional in B2B sales. This has included managing my own territories, selling jointly with others and managing sales teams.

My career started in Seattle with the Puget Sound Business Journal, but a significant portion of my professional time was in California, split between Los Angeles and Orange County, before a return to Seattle.

Also

I am owner and community manager for the LinkedIn group?Seattle Sales, Marketing and Advertising Professionals, which has 4900+ members: (4) Seattle Sales, Marketing & Advertising Professionals | Groups | LinkedIn

Also one of the first million members of LinkedIn (2004). I have been an active blogger on the platform since 2014, when the option was first offered.