How a Lack of Trust Stranded Astronauts in Space and Cripples Organizations
NASA announced that two astronauts who have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) in the troubled Starliner space capsule may have to be rescued by Elon Musk’s upstart rival SpaceX.
Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams went up to the ISS in June for what was supposed to be an eight-day mission. However, because their original ride – Boeing’s Starliner craft – is leaking helium and has problems with its thrusters, they are currently stuck in space.
Boeing maintains that Starliner could safely get the astronauts back to Earth, but NASA didn’t want to chance it. Why? I believe that NASA has lost trust in Boeing thanks to this incident and a slew of commercial flight safety incidents earlier this year. Additionally, at least 20 Boeing whistleblowers have come forward to voice concerns about safety and quality issues at the aerospace giant, and Boeing has spent $1.5 billion in cost overruns beyond the initial $4.5 billion NASA contract.
Trust is an interesting thing. It can take years or decades to build, but be ruined in a moment. And herein lies a lesson for leaders. You may not think about the concept of trust, but it’s critical. Employees say that trust is a cornerstone of them going to work every day and giving you extraordinary effort. A lack of trust leads to employees doing the bare minimum. For Boeing and NASA, a lack of trust has left two people stranded in space.
The situation with NASA and Boeing serves as a stark reminder that trust is not just a soft skill – it’s a critical component of leadership that can have real-world consequences. Whether in space exploration or in the day-to-day operations of a business, trust is what allows teams to work effectively, innovate, and overcome challenges.
As leaders, it’s essential to recognize that trust is earned through consistent actions and choices. By prioritizing transparency, responsibility, recognition, and open communication, you will build trust with your employees and create an environment where they feel safe, valued, and empowered to give their best. The dividends of trust are immeasurable: stronger teams, higher morale, and ultimately, greater success.
So, make it a priority every day. Remember, trust isn’t just nice to have; it’s the lifeline of leadership.