As I watched the Space Shuttle making its way across the streets
of Los Angeles recently enroute to its final home, I found myself
thinking about how our space program began. In particular, one little
known fact has long fascinated me: President Kennedy dreamed of a
partnership with our nation's closest rival, U.S.S.R. President
Khrushchev.
Now, as Earth faces environmental and social challenges, there's much we can learn from the way America rose to the challenge of the space race. In broad strokes, the challenges we face are deep and interconnected. The world's population will swell to 9.5 billion by 2050. Volatile weather is the new normal. Our global food system fails two out of every seven people. Recent studies highlight the urgent need for $50-100 trillion in global infrastructure investments by 2030 just to keep the lights on.
Our actions today will determine the world we give our kids tomorrow. President Kennedy's space race leadership teaches us five valuable lessons about how to nurture the kind of collaboration that can stand the test of time.
Perceived crises can spur massive and worthwhile goals
A key theme of the 1960 U.S. Presidential election was the lasting power of America's scientific edge. In response to Russia's launch of the first man into space, President Kennedy inspired a nation to dream bigger and put a man on the Moon. We're in another crisis now. Approached correctly, today's companies can frame these crises as a way to set the stage for sweeping innovation in technology and management practices alike.
Worthwhile goals can inspire entire generations
President Kennedy made science cool. It became the playground of our imaginations. Children imagined themselves as spacemen. Companies envisioned opportunities to grow. There was now a vision to unlock society's kinetic energy. An argument can be made that the dot-com era's roots were from this renewed interest in science in the 1960s.
Think and act in timescales that outlive your leadership
President Kennedy's goal implied that he would not be in office to reap the benefits of his leadership. His example shows that legacy can serve as an inviting substitute for short-term glory. With CEO tenures becoming ever shorter, the temptation is to prioritize short-term results. It is essential we rise above this temptation.
Partnerships with strange bedfellows must be considered
President Kennedy actually sought to collaborate with our fiercest rival - the U.S.S.R. - in order to achieve his vision. During one public address, Kennedy said: "...in a field where the United States and the Soviet Union have a special capacity--in the field of space--there is room for new cooperation..." With history as our teacher, there is no reason why companies should not be prepared to work with their fiercest rivals too.
Cross-sector collaboration has its benefits
Cross-sector collaboration was crucial to the achievement of President Kennedy's vision. Many companies within the private sector grew as a result. For example, IBM provided computational power. In IBM's view, participation gave the company the opportunity to challenge itself to develop the cutting edge in information and data management. Not to mention a new client.
In order to answer the call of today's challenges, the private, public, and civil sectors must collaborate. In the process, we will make the kind of history we can be proud of once more.
Now, as Earth faces environmental and social challenges, there's much we can learn from the way America rose to the challenge of the space race. In broad strokes, the challenges we face are deep and interconnected. The world's population will swell to 9.5 billion by 2050. Volatile weather is the new normal. Our global food system fails two out of every seven people. Recent studies highlight the urgent need for $50-100 trillion in global infrastructure investments by 2030 just to keep the lights on.
Our actions today will determine the world we give our kids tomorrow. President Kennedy's space race leadership teaches us five valuable lessons about how to nurture the kind of collaboration that can stand the test of time.
Perceived crises can spur massive and worthwhile goals
A key theme of the 1960 U.S. Presidential election was the lasting power of America's scientific edge. In response to Russia's launch of the first man into space, President Kennedy inspired a nation to dream bigger and put a man on the Moon. We're in another crisis now. Approached correctly, today's companies can frame these crises as a way to set the stage for sweeping innovation in technology and management practices alike.
Worthwhile goals can inspire entire generations
President Kennedy made science cool. It became the playground of our imaginations. Children imagined themselves as spacemen. Companies envisioned opportunities to grow. There was now a vision to unlock society's kinetic energy. An argument can be made that the dot-com era's roots were from this renewed interest in science in the 1960s.
Think and act in timescales that outlive your leadership
President Kennedy's goal implied that he would not be in office to reap the benefits of his leadership. His example shows that legacy can serve as an inviting substitute for short-term glory. With CEO tenures becoming ever shorter, the temptation is to prioritize short-term results. It is essential we rise above this temptation.
Partnerships with strange bedfellows must be considered
President Kennedy actually sought to collaborate with our fiercest rival - the U.S.S.R. - in order to achieve his vision. During one public address, Kennedy said: "...in a field where the United States and the Soviet Union have a special capacity--in the field of space--there is room for new cooperation..." With history as our teacher, there is no reason why companies should not be prepared to work with their fiercest rivals too.
Cross-sector collaboration has its benefits
Cross-sector collaboration was crucial to the achievement of President Kennedy's vision. Many companies within the private sector grew as a result. For example, IBM provided computational power. In IBM's view, participation gave the company the opportunity to challenge itself to develop the cutting edge in information and data management. Not to mention a new client.
In order to answer the call of today's challenges, the private, public, and civil sectors must collaborate. In the process, we will make the kind of history we can be proud of once more.
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