Yesterday I
mentioned the movie Sully.
For those who haven’t kicked back in front of this film with a box of popcorn:
The pivotal scene sees Captain Sully (aka Tom Hanks) as pilot of an Airbus 320 taking off from LaGuardia airport with
155 people onboard.
Shortly after take-off, a flock of Canadian geese strikes the plane, blowing both engines.
In the next 102 seconds we see Sully and his co-pilot flawlessly working together through a series of critical decisions
under intense life-or-death pressure (literally), culminating in Sully making an emergency landing on New York’s Hudson river.
Miraculously, everyone survived.
And even more miraculously, given Hollywood’s tendency to lay it on with a
trowel, this is all based on a true story.
Hence “The Miracle on The Hudson”.
While I was writing yesterday’s email, I flipped to YouTube to re-watch the scene.
And lo & behold, like clockwork, once I’d finished the clip, YouTube recommended another video.
Did I ignore the algorithm’s helpful suggestion, close my laptop lid and get on with my day?
Of course I didn’t!
Instead, I clicked play. And up popped Captain Sully Sullenberger himself talking through those 102 seconds in the cockpit.
I found it fascinating.
In the video, Sully explained things like:
*** The power of language. In particular, the 3 specific words he chose when he made his only announcement to the cabin (what he described as “the most important PA of my life”) to inform and re-assure the passengers,
but also to communicate a different message to the crew
*** How courage can be contagious
*** The mindset shift Sully adopted as soon as he realised this would be his first flight in 40 years that would not end with him landing an
undamaged plane on a runway – and why this mindset shift probably saved his life, along with the other 154 people onboard. Hearing this, I realised just how powerful this mindset shift could be as a way to increase our chance of success during any crisis, dilemma, problem or challenge
*** How Sully and his co-pilot communicated with each other
wordlessly for much of those 102 seconds (sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?)
And lots more besides.
The video is a masterclass in discipline, teamwork, leadership and decision-making.
In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I thought you might enjoy it too.
So consider this your very own helpful, algorithmic suggestion.
Here’s the link in
case you’d like to check it out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6EblErBJqw
Have a great weekend.
- Tom