Embrace Faults, Celebrate Wins

Note: The views expressed here are personal and do not necessarily express views of my employer in any way.

A pivotal lesson in leadership emerged in 1979 when the inaugural launch of the Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (SLV-3) ended in failure, plummeting into the Bay of Bengal instead of reaching space.

At the post-launch press conference, ISRO Chairman Mr. Satish Dhawan took full responsibility for the setback. His willingness to accept blame cultivated an atmosphere of trust and confidence, motivating his team to persevere despite the disappointment.

A year later, ISRO achieved success with the SLV-3 launch carrying the Rohini satellite. This time, Mr. Dhawan stepped back, allowing Dr. Kalam to address the media and celebrate the accomplishment.

In this moment, Mr. Satish Dhawan exemplified true leadership, not only taking responsibility for failures but also ensuring his team received the recognition they deserved for their success. He became a cornerstone of ISRO’s organizational culture, demonstrating that effective leaders empower others to shine.

For any organization to thrive, it requires leaders who elevate others and celebrate their contributions.