The Original Moonshot
In the 1960s, the Soviet Union’s dominance in space posed a significant concern for the national security of the United States and the world. In response, President John F. Kennedy made a bold announcement in 1962:
“We choose to go to the moon in this decade.”
Many considered this goal impossible, including the NASA team. However, setting this ambitious goal ignited the creativity and resourcefulness of the whole organisation. The NASA team describe it as the most meaningful work they had ever done. Lee Solid, an Engineering Lead, stated, “Setting a goal like John Kennedy set, with the kind of timeline that we had, released the creative juices of ordinary people and forced us to create.” (Florida Today)
How to use a Moonshot as the Ultimate Goal for Your Team
Having a clear vision is one of the most cost-effective and powerful ways to motivate teams. Today, Moonshot goals are used to inspire, align, and excite teams, helping them achieve more than they ever thought possible. In the Harvard Business Review article, “What a Good Moonshot Is Really For,” they describe three ingredients of a Moonshot:
- It inspires
- It is credible
- It is imaginative
Through The Where and The Why, we have helped hundreds of businesses to develop their Moonshots, and in our experience, there are two additional and essential elements:
- It is measurable
- It is singular
There is an art to creating the perfect Moonshot and it’s important to validate it with your team. The Moonshot should not be a financial goal as it lacks inspiration. It should be one, unifying goal, that is time bound and an element of your broader vision for the organisation. All projects and initiatives should cascade from this goal and encourage excitement and activity. It should be challenging to achieve – 80% impossible, 20% possible. When developing the Moonshot with your team, you can intuitively feel it – this is not an “a-ha” moment. This is a “holy shit!” moment!
Moonshot Examples in the Real World
There are numerous recent examples of successful achievement of seemingly impossible Moonshots. For instance, on 22 April 2020, the NRL (Australian National Rugby League) famously announced “Project Apollo” amid the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and lockdowns. The Moonshot?
“We aim for the competition to recommence on May 28.”
Despite facing significant challenges and criticism, they achieved their Moonshot, culminating in hosting the biggest crowd in the world at a sporting event since the pandemic began, with the State of Origin on November 18, 2020. Read their fascinating story.
Additionally, our clients Oztix, Infectious Clothing, Hooker Boats and many more have embraced Moonshot thinking to achieve remarkable results. Engaging the team and seeking their perspectives on the future vision of the organisation can be a powerful catalyst for success.
Where are you going? Are your team members onboard for the journey? At The Where and The Why, we can help you formulate a Moonshot that will inspire and enable your team to achieve the seemingly impossible. Reach for the moon and unlock your organisation’s true potential.
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