A successful team is not an accident.

Teamwork is crucial for the success of any group, as it requires individuals with positive interpersonal skills to come together and work towards a common purpose. Each team member understands their role and how they directly contribute to the team’s goals. Once the team’s purpose and goal have been defined, the next step is establishing the teamwork processes, determining how the team carries out its tasks, and measuring its progress.

A perfect example of effective teamwork is in the famous quote, “Houston, we have a problem.”

Apollo 13 was supposed to land on the moon, but the spacecraft encountered an explosion, preventing astronauts from landing. The situation became critical when the engines and oxygen tank experienced significant issues; the command module’s standard electricity and water supply were lost, leaving the crew stranded about 200,000 miles from Earth. The astronauts and ground crew faced the daunting challenge of finding a way to return to Earth safely.

In Houston, the ground controllers faced a formidable task, which required them to develop new procedures, test them in simulators, and then pass them on to the crew. They also had to solve the navigation problem and determine when and how to burn the LM descent engines to ensure a quick return to Earth. The mission’s success hinged on the team’s ability to diagnose the problem accurately and work together to implement a plan that would save the lives of the astronauts.

“Welcome Home!” – The Apollo 13 mission exemplifies the importance of teamwork in achieving success. The team’s purpose, goals, processes, and performance were all essential components that enabled them to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. By working together in the spacecraft and Houston, they were able to accomplish their mission and ensure the astronauts’ safe return home.

Take some time and watch the movie Apollo 13 (Tom Hanks, etc.). You will see the following behaviors and principles that created successful teamwork:

• Team members ask for help.
• The team is aligned around common objectives.
• The team is clear about its priorities.
• Team members hold each other accountable for performance.
• Team members value team success more than individual success.

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Gerald T. Hannah, Ph.D.